I've been on here way too long to expect a consensus but I was wanting feedback and opinions from anyone who owns and carries either of these pistols

My every day carry gun since concealed carry became legal is a Colt Officers Model in .45. But I am looking to get something smaller, lighter and easier to carry
In the boat and on the river. I normally carry IWB small of back or appendix and will probably continue that. I am also open to the Sig 938 to stay with the same set up as a 1911.

I'm currently carrying the XDs-9 and I love it. Wouldn't change a single thing about it.

XDs 9mm everyday carry here as well.

Another vote for XDs, but all the ones you mentioned are fine pistols. Find a range that rents them and try them out yourself before making a commitment.

I have a Sig 938. I like it a lot. Its small, all metal, feels solid in your hand (although small), and it shoots well. When its on my OWB holster its like wearing a large 'Leatherman'. Very comfortable. I also carry Glocks on occasion. I have them because they are reliable, I like the way they feel, and I shoot them well....and that is all because thats the first gun I purchased at 21 and I got comfortable and good with it.

Id go hold all three and see how they 'feel' to you. I think all of them in your list are superior firearms.

After shooting both I went with the XDs 9. The feel is different enough, if you shoot both I think it'll be obvious which one you want.

XDS in 45 here.

Its been my CCW since shortly after Springfield released them. I have a nice Wright Leatherworks OWB holster for it. It doesn't print through an untucked t shirt or golf shirt. Very comfortable carry. The XDS replaced an XD40 subcompact as my CCW,

Recoil isn't a problem with it. I was a little concerned with a small, light pistol shooting 45's. It's manageable and I don't have a problem with accuracy on followup shots. The XD40 subcompact was actually "snappier" to shoot

It's not a gun I would pound out 300 rounds in an afternoon at the range....I usually run 50 rounds or so through it whenever I go out to the lease/ranch. It doesn't "hurt" my hand.

I'd go 45 over the 9 if you're looking at the XDS.

M&P shield

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XDS in 45 here.

Its been my CCW since shortly after Springfield released them. I have a nice Wright Leatherworks OWB holster for it. It doesn't print through an untucked t shirt or golf shirt. Very comfortable carry. The XDS replaced an XD40 subcompact as my CCW,

Recoil isn't a problem with it. I was a little concerned with a small, light pistol shooting 45's. It's manageable and I don't have a problem with accuracy on followup shots. The XD40 subcompact was actually "snappier" to shoot

It's not a gun I would pound out 300 rounds in an afternoon at the range....I usually run 50 rounds or so through it whenever I go out to the lease/ranch. It doesn't "hurt" my hand.

I'd go 45 over the 9 if you're looking at the XDS.

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See I was the opposite. I tried the 45 and just didn't like it. Seemed way too big and a little overkill for me. But I never would have known to go with the 9 over the 45 if I didn't try out both at the range first. So I would highly recommend finding a range where you can rent the pistols and try them out.

The XDs series and Glocks feels completely different in the hand. You need to feel/shoot both before choosing. I personally don't like the feel/angle of Glock grips, so I'm a Springfield guy.

XDS 9 for the past 2 yrs for me. Carried a Kahr P380 prior to that. Only shot a Glock once in my life though.

Love my XDS 9mm for EDC.

Shot glocks, but never fell in love with them like so many. Helps that my full-time range gun was an XD9 before, so I'm comfortable with the platform.

Go shoot both, pick the one you're most comfortable with and then practice, practice, practice.

Another vote for XD9 based on how well it shoots and how accurate I can shoot it. However, I will admit that the G43 is smaller, lighter, and smoother for a more comfortable carry. I decided against it because I hated shooting it. Super snappy IMO

Glock 43 all the way. The Glock is 5-6oz lighter than the XDs and feels like a pocket carry gun while carrying and a subcompact while shooting. 25% lighter makes a huge difference in a carry gun. I looked at the XDS and Shield, but, neither felt that much more comfortable than my 3" 1911 so I never bothered changing out. IMO the Glock "grip angle" argument is completely overblown. It took all of one range session to get used to the Glock and I shoot them as well as my 1911s. It may feel weird at first, but, it points very naturally and the grip angle combined with a barrel that sits low in the frame makes for a very comfortable shooting lightweight gun. I paired my G43 with a N82 (aka Nate Squared tactical) IWB holster and barely notice I'm carrying.

Honestly, functionally either will be fine. Both are high quality.

I think the 43 is not as brickish in hand as the double stack Glocks. So its fine. Pick one and go practice.

Only thing that may sway you one way or the other is the grip safety on the XDS. Some really like it, some really hate it. Me personally I am ambivalent to it, doesn't get in the way but i don't go out of my way to get one.

A buddy of mine provided the only reasonable argument for having a grip safety is shooting in outlaw IDPA-like competition with an XDS from appendix. Given the repeated reholstering of a loaded weapon the slight extra piece of mind of reholstering without pressing the grip safety makes him more comfortable. I don't carry in this manner and only use all kydex holsters in competition, so I am not as concerned.

In the interest of full disclosure in this class of guns I chose a Shield. I do not own a G43 or XDS(anymore).

Carried a XDs in 45 for 2+ yrs...then recently a buddy brought a Ruger LC9 Pro out to shoot at my range. Best trigger on a compact pistol I have ever used, makes my XDs trigger feel like mush. Now I own (and carry) my first ever 9mm. It's really that good...

XDs 9mm EDC here. Love almost everything about it. I do wish I'd gone with the .45 however.

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Only thing that may sway you one way or the other is the grip safety on the XDS. Some really like it, some really hate it. Me personally I am ambivalent to it, doesn't get in the way but i don't go out of my way to get one.

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It was another selling point for me over the Shield, which was my next favorite, then probably the Glock. Probably pointless, but it's a little peace of mind for me.

XDs .45 here, really nice firearm.

The 9 version is great as well, nothing against that.

Why don't you go look at the Walther CCP? It's a 9mm with a 9 round capacity. I looked at the Glock 43 and the Walther and after shooting both, went with the CCP. It has a great feel and when I shot it for the first time I had a grouping of 9 shots that was softball size at 7yards and I wasn't really trying that hard to get a tight group. It has a safety in the left side which I do like and the slide is easy to work which the rib likes.

Carry the 43 every day. I have big hands, so I was a little concerned at first. I bought the Strike Industries Enhanced Magazine plate and I absolutely love it. It adds 2 more rounds(8+1) and adds the perfect amount to the grip.

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Why don't you go look at the Walther CCP? It's a 9mm with a 9 round capacity. I looked at the Glock 43 and the Walther and after shooting both, went with the CCP. It has a great feel and when I shot it for the first time I had a grouping of 9 shots that was softball size at 7yards and I wasn't really trying that hard to get a tight group. It has a safety in the left side which I do like and the slide is easy to work which the rib likes.

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I am going to try one of those soon. I didn't give it a look when I was originally buying and I regret that. Doesn't it have a left handed slide release?

43 daily carrier here. Love the slim profile for IWB carry. Also all my mags have the Taran Tactical +2 baseplates that provide a better grip and bring the total number to 9 rounds with one in the pipe. Finally, some Talon grips made this gun so much better.

HK over Glock over M&P over XD

Which HK? I thought the HK compact was hammer fired which I don't care for.

I have the HK 45c which is hammer fired, but I believe th VP9 is a striker fire. I'm a HK / Sig fan and like the M&P series and recognize the significance of Glock, but for the life of me I can't like XDs. Springfield is too good of a company to not have their own original idea and just keep pushing the ugly eurotrash XDs. They are $250 pistols packaged with $40 in extra "stuff". I rank Taurus above XDs because at least the design and build their own line of pistols, and are US made now.

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I have the HK 45c which is hammer fired, but I believe th VP9 is a striker fire. I'm a HK / Sig fan and like the M&P series and recognize the significance of Glock, but for the life of me I can't like XDs. Springfield is too good of a company to not have their own original idea and just keep pushing the ugly eurotrash XDs. They are $250 pistols packaged with $40 in extra "stuff". I rank Taurus above XDs because at least the design and build their own line of pistols, and are US made now.

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I love the VP9, but it isn't a Sub Compact, which is what we are discussing. Disagree on the XDs, the whole XD line is great.

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...ugly eurotrash...

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Fido I am not sure I understand your opinion. Do you dislike the XDs because it is made in Europe? or just because you find it aesthetically unappealing?

If the former, I hope you realize that the HK and Sig (while made in US) are European designs and folks pay a premium to get the european ones. Glock is still largely made in Europe, ocassionally run across the newer US made versions. If you want US made and engineered the praise for HK and disgust for the XDs makes no sense.

I EDC the XDs 9, but I find it to be heavy. I couldn't find a S&W M&P Shield to test when I was ready to buy. If I could have a do over I'd buy the Shield. I've shot it since and preferred it to my XDs, but that is personal and YMMV. Definitely try both out at the range. And if you decide to go with the XDs, do yourself a favor and buy a set of Talon grips immediately. I finally picked them up (rubberized texture) for mine, and it's a huge improvement.

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...ugly eurotrash...

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Fido I am not sure I understand your opinion. Do you dislike the XDs because it is made in Europe? or just because you find it aesthetically unappealing?

If the former, I hope you realize that the HK and Sig (while made in US) are European designs and folks pay a premium to get the european ones. Glock is still largely made in Europe, ocassionally run across the newer US made versions. If you want US made and engineered the praise for HK and disgust for the XDs makes no sense.


I love European guns. The XD is a cheap Croatian gun being recycled by one of the oldest US gun makers. My point is that SA should be making these inhouse and not rebranding a Croatia import by selling a cheap pistol with a tacticool case, extra mags and paddle holster. Do I think my Colt Python shares a lineage with my Colt AR...yes. Does an XD share a lineage with my M1A...no. This is more of a shame of SA and really has nothing to do about the quality of the firearm.

Do they shoot. Yes. Are they reliable. Yes. Are they for me...no.

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I have a very lightly used XDs 9mm with Talon grips and Tru-glow night sights for sale. Three extended magazines and 1 short magazine. Less than 100 rounds fired. $400.00.

+1 vote for the P938.

It is slightly smaller than the other single stacks.
G43 is 0.36" longer, 0.35 taller, and 0.08" narrower.
XDs is 0.40" longer, 0.50" taller, and 0.20" narrower.
Shield 9 is 0.20" longer, 0.70" taller, and 0.15" narrower.

The slightly shorter height of the P938 make it realistic for boot (ankle holster in a boot) carry, and front pocket carry. The other three are slightly too tall to fit in a boot upper; at least on me. One half inch means a lot depending on your carry method options!

The P938 is more expensive, but for a reason. This is largely due to all models having factory tritium sights, which are well worth the expense whenever you need them. Mine has the Tru-Glo tritium/fiber front sight, and tritium rear, which is a good contrast in daylight and night.

P938 trigger is great, sights are excellent, and reliability has been 100% for all ammo in my experience.

I own and have carried both the XDs and the 43 a quite a bit. Both are quality options but the Glock 43 meets my needs better. My biggest complaint about the XDs is the weight. Unloaded, an XDs it weighs more than a Glock 26. At that weight level I would rather just carry the Glock 26. And if I'm going to carry a 26 I might as well carry a Glock 19.

Thinness is important but I do not think it is as important as many make it out to be for a carry gun. However, if you want a small carry gun in my experience the Glock 43 carries more like a small gun as opposed to the XDs.

Just my $0.02

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...ugly eurotrash...

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Fido I am not sure I understand your opinion. Do you dislike the XDs because it is made in Europe? or just because you find it aesthetically unappealing?

If the former, I hope you realize that the HK and Sig (while made in US) are European designs and folks pay a premium to get the european ones. Glock is still largely made in Europe, ocassionally run across the newer US made versions. If you want US made and engineered the praise for HK and disgust for the XDs makes no sense.


I love European guns. The XD is a cheap Croatian gun being recycled by one of the oldest US gun makers. My point is that SA should be making these inhouse and not rebranding a Croatia import by selling a cheap pistol with a tacticool case, extra mags and paddle holster. Do I think my Colt Python shares a lineage with my Colt AR...yes. Does an XD share a lineage with my M1A...no. This is more of a shame of SA and really has nothing to do about the quality of the firearm.

Do they shoot. Yes. Are they reliable. Yes. Are they for me...no.

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Man, I hope you don't run a business. That's an extremely short-sighted and biased viewpoint. Do you think Honda or Toyota make good reliable cars? Guess not.

FTR, I don't have an XDs, but virtually all the reviews I've seen are positive, as referenced by the folks that carry them on this thread. Bashing them because Springfield made a decision to import them under their name is not justified at all and it has probably made them a ton of money. This profit is used to sustain their business, Eurotrash be damned or not.

I find XD's to be pretty damn sturdy. Not cheap feeling at all. Whatevs, everyone has their own opinion.