Been going back and forth between...

[MissiontoMars]

Adding a Sprinfield armory XD9-SC (subcompact 9mm) to my stable, and jumping on the S&W shield bandwagon. I really like striker-fired guns and a smaller, handier version of my 5" XD has appealed to me for a while.

The more I handle the shield, though, the more I appreciate how light, thin and compact it is.

I don't have a 9mm CCW piece yet. I tend to simply pocket carry an LCR.

I'm not a big fan of manual safeties, however, AND I'm a lefty, which is one of the things that keeps me from pulling the proverbial trigger on the shield. Any lefties have a shield and an opinion on how the manual safety works for them?

I tend to prefer the long DA of a revolver, or the grip safety on my XD9 tactical - hence my attraction to the SC.

I have a ton of mags for my 5" XD9 tac which fit the XD-SC like a glove with or without the mag sleeve, which again, points me towards getting the SC since I won't have to add ANOTHER type of mag to purchase.

Just thinking out loud here. Anyone CCW or daily carry an XD9-SC? At 26oz unloaded, I don't think it'll be a big deal with a good belt, but I'm sure something like a shield would be much more like my LCR for all-day carry.

[Dattebayo]

Well aside from the length and height comparison, the real comfort and why the Shield is better than many of the firearms is the width. The XD's are considerably more wide than the Shield and if you plan to carry IWB, that is a big consideration. Going XD vs Shield can be the difference of getting a new wardrobe or sticking with clothes you already have.

[kjv146]

why not an xds?

[Legasat]

Shield just came out without external safety. So this Shield or XDS?

[MissiontoMars]

Yeah, i'm aware of the width difference. I've held/fondled both. I'm a big dude, so thin is good but not my only consideration. Thanks for mentioning it, tho.

I havent seen a shield w/o an external safety and XDs's weren't on the roster last time i checked. (Not going to do an SSE - personal preference)

Both/either would be something to consider, however, if they became available used or were on the roster at some point.

[MissiontoMars]

You couldn't give me an XD. The Shield is the better of the two.

Can you quantify that opinion? Having owned an XD for going 7-8 years i tend to disagree, but i'm open to the idea that the shield is certainly "good enough" to rely on for ccw and not so expensive that i'd mourn its loss if taken as evidence in a self-defense shoot.

Pragmatically, for example, the shield doesn't favor lefties due to a non-ambi safety. Thats a pretty good strike against it. In the same regard people be-moan the high bore axis of the XD line, but mine has been a tackdriver with high levels of accuracy.

[stormvet]

Nothing wrong with the XD line of firearms, its really a simple decision between the two. Thin and less capacity or thicker and more capacity. What means more to you in your sub-compact. Both are reliable and more then accurate enough for a defensive handgun.

By the way I currently do not own any XD handguns, but if someone wants to give me one. I will gladly accept it.

[MissiontoMars]

Nothing wrong with the XD line of firearms, its really a simple decision between the two. Thin and less capacity or thicker and more capacity. What means more to you in your sub-compact. Both are reliable and more then accurate enough for a defensive handgun.

By the way I currently do not own any XD handguns, but if someone wants to give me one. I will gladly accept it.

Haha...when mine goes through a couple more thousand rounds and i get tired of it, you'll be on the short list, sir.

Thanks for your logic, too. Those are decisions i probably need to make.

[Malaprop14]

No issues with XD myself.

Correct, XD-S variants not on roster.

I went with a Shield because I'm extremely pleased with my full size M&P. If I had known they would release one without a safety, I would have waited (I even asked the guy yesterday when I bought it). I am guessing the no safety version won't make it to CA soon, if at all. It shows on their site, but would require it to be submitted for approval since it is different than the one currently approved; and without microstamping, it won't get approved here.

[Lead Waster]

The issue with the safety ... why not just not use it? Leave it in the fire position and rely on the trigger like Glock. I wouldn't pay extra for a model that doesn't have it. I mean ... does it affect the trigger or something to have it?

[Malaprop14]

The issue isn't not using it, it is that it could get engaged accidentally. As another member here mentioned, when you have it you just need to be in the habit of making sure it is off during the draw. It IS small and not so easily manipulated; I was able to flip it with my thumb with it in grip though. I'm going to guess that in a holster, it won't be an accidental issue and 9 times out of 10 it shouldn't be, but that one time it is might matter. I bought my full size without it. Finger shouldn't be on the trigger unless you are about to pull it anyway...

[saudadeii]

Riflegear in OC has non-safety Shields in stock.

http://www.riflegear.com/p-3195-sw-mp-shield-no-thumb-safety-9mm-7rd.aspx

They do require SSE (while we can).

[MissiontoMars]

The issue with the safety ... why not just not use it? Leave it in the fire position and rely on the trigger like Glock. I wouldn't pay extra for a model that doesn't have it. I mean ... does it affect the trigger or something to have it?

Malaprop14 expressed my opinion better than I probably could.

Might as well just buy a Kahr CW9/CM9 9mm that was specifically made to NOT have a manual safety, but there again, i'm spending more money than the shield or the XD9.SC. I DO like Kahr's as well, though. I think they're a lot of gun for the money, and would probably IWB or pocket carry with zero issues.

[Glock19_PL]

I was looking into the a Kahr CM9 or PM9 but found that the trigger pull was a bit long for me and did not like how the slide functioned. It seem as though it required a great deal of effort to chamber a round. I know someone that owns a Kahr CM9 and the slide on his still seems a bit stiff. Even after running 200 rds through it.

XDs or M&P Shield are still both great guns. Good luck on your search!

[coolie]

I like the trigger on xd much better. Like shields too but I'm way more accurate with an xd, I've been an xd homer for a long time though.