Springfield XDS 45 vs Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield – A Side By Side Comparison
Springfield XDS 45 vs Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield – A Side By Side Comparison
This is a side by side comparison of the Springfield XDS 45 and the Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield 45. I’ve carried the XDS for 2 years for my daily carry but I am looking at switching to the M&P45 Shield. We will take a look at the features of each pistol and how they compare to each other.
To see 230 grain 45 ACP from the M&P45 Shield hitting steel plates in slow motion, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbv1FiqCZBo
The Springfield Armory, located in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms from 1777 until its closing in 1968. The site is preserved as the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Western Massachusetts’ only unit of the national park system. It features the world’s largest collection of historic American firearms.
Famous first as the United States’ primary arsenal during the American Revolutionary War, and then as the scene of a confrontation during Shays’ Rebellion, the Springfield Armory in the 19th and 20th centuries became the site of numerous technological innovations of global importance, including interchangeable parts, the assembly line style of mass production, and modern business practices, such as hourly wages. Numerous firearm models produced at the Springfield Armory from 1794 to 1968 were referred to as “Springfield rifles”.
In 1974, the Springfield Armory name was licensed to Robert Reese, to form Springfield Armory, Inc., a company that manufactures semi-automatic versions of the M14 rifle and M1911 pistol. The company is not located in or near Springfield, Massachusetts and has no direct association with the original Springfield Armory. The current Springfield Armory, Inc., based out of Geneseo, Illinois, manufactures several of its weapons on the exact blueprints and to identical specifications as the original government owned Springfield Armory. Springfield Armory, Inc. has expanded its line of firearms to include modern day sporting rifles and polymer pistols as well as Historical American icons, namely the M14 and M1911.
Smith & Wesson (S&W) is a manufacturer of firearms in the United States. The corporate headquarters are in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson’s pistols and revolvers have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world, in addition to their popularity among sport shooters.
Apart from firearms, Smith & Wesson has been known for the many types of ammunition it has introduced over the years, and many cartridges bear the company’s name.
Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson founded the Smith & Wesson Company in Norwich, Connecticut in 1852 to develop the Volcanic rifle. Smith developed a new Volcanic Cartridge, which he patented in 1854. The Smith & Wesson Company was renamed Volcanic Repeating Arms in 1855, and was purchased by Oliver Winchester. Smith left the company and returned to his native Springfield, Massachusetts, while Wesson stayed on as plant manager with Volcanic Repeating Arms.
As Samuel Colt’s patent on the revolver was set to expire in 1856, Wesson began developing a prototype for a cartridge revolver. His research pointed out that a former Colt employee named Rollin White held the patent for a “Bored-through” cylinder, a component he would need for his invention. Wesson reconnected with Smith and the two partners approached White to manufacture a newly designed revolver-and-cartridge combination.
Rather than make White a partner in their company, Smith and Wesson paid him a royalty of $0.25 on every revolver that they made. It would become White’s responsibility to defend his patent in any court cases which eventually led to his financial ruin, but was very advantageous for the new Smith & Wesson Company.
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You can get a magazine for the XDS that equals those capacity of the Shield.
I have the XDS in a 4" in 45 and I carry it IWB all the time
Smith & Wesson holds 8
Hi great comp video, WHO MADE THE TAN POCKET HOLSTER SEEN IN THIS VIDEO??< THANKS very much…
Taurus gx4 all.day 300 dollar bad ass micro.compact
No review will make me give up my 45 ACP M&P!! …Great review though and much appreciated 👍👍👍
A great review and helpful
Nice job
Great video!!!👍
Springfield for me I have both and prefer the Springfield
Got the XDS with the 4" barrel and a 5,6, & 7 round mag for $325.
I’ve had and carried my 45 Sheild for almost 4 years now with 0 problems and malfunctions. When I bought it,it was down to the 45 Xds and the 45 Sheild.I held and shot both and decided to go with the Sheild.It felt better in my hand,shot it better,and felt less recoil with it + one round was a bonus.Of all my pistols,the 45 Sheild is my favorite to carry concealed.I carry it with the flush fitting mag and the extended one in my back pocket…works for me
SW is junk. Springfield is much better quality.
When I first bought my XDS mod 2 in 45 acp I had second thoughts about it. But over time I’ve become fond of it.
Just ordered the Smith.
Why do you prefer leather holsters? I live in the south (it gets very hot ), is sweating a problem?
Both are superb guns!
I work in a gun store and own 2 of the XDS pistols, one in 9MM and one in .40ACP, and the only reason I don’t have one in .45 is because they became unavailable once Covid, BML, Antifa, Defund the Police and election fear hit and production could no no longer keep up . They are still available via the internet but at VERY premium prices.
I wanted the Shield really bad but comparing them in every way imaginable I went with the XDS because it fit my hand better My 9mm is the first gen with the grenade grip and the 40 is a Mod 2. I like both – maybe the Mod 2 a bit better because of the finger cut between the grip and trigger guard.
IMO, the Shield has a slightly better break but not enough to rule it in or out. Hold both and get the one that feels right. Neither gun will disappoint.
For me it’s the XDS 12 hours a day every day.
Great review sir. I love my XDs
Can’t beat USA made Smith with a lifetime warranty. I actually find the Springfield grip unpleasant when I shoot.
I work in a gun store and 4 out of 9 employees including the owner carry the XDS in 45ACP and my choice for EDC was also an XDS – twice!
The Shield is a fantastic gun and I tried very hard to convince myself to buy one but couldn’t do it. I didn’t measure the width but the Shield felt more narrow at the beaver tail and I just didn’t like that. I have large hands and the XDS felt better. My first XDS purchase was a first gen with the grenade grip and then another was a Mod 2, and I friggin love those guns..
Normally I don’t like a grip safety, but the one on the XDS is small and completely unnoticeable. I never feel it and have never had a problem. I also like the fact that the trigger is blocked when I’m not holding the gun. A trigger safety is a joke, IMO. Anything that enters the guard can pull the trigger. With the XDS, if I have to fish it out from between the seats in the dark it *should* be safe as long as the grip safety is not pressed. It’s a real safety that actually works without any extra effort on my part.
My vote for the best trigger goes to the Shield but only by a fraction. Both are great and very reliable guns. My recommendation to anyone considering either of these (if you can find one right now) would be to get the one that feels the best in your hands.
Springfield is my pick.
PIC rail
Fiber front sight (on the latest model)
Better trigger (IMO)
Mag release can be used with Thumb, index, and middle finger.
I like a grip safety because it gives just a bit more draw, holster, and carry safety. (IMO)
Congratulations! You are a great shot! I have both and I love them but I do carry my Springfield Armory XDs for my concealed carry using Sig V-Crown 200 grain JHP as my defense ammo! 👌
It’s a 45 cal. in a small package and you say it doesn’t kick it’s manageable= a 500 cal. is manageable to some. Also you talked about the trigger reset, are you being paid by S&W because you just blew over the XDS reset, you were wrong, also the noise from the shield trigger, A SALESMAN
The critical measurement is the height of the grips from the bottom of the magizine to the top of the slide while trying to conceal. That’s assuming the barrel length isn’t too radically different. When I bought my XDs Mod ll version 45acp it came all packaged in a cardboard box, in a very useful ballistic nylon zip up range bag and 4 mags. 2) 6 round, 1) pinky finger extended mag 5 round, and 1) flush fit 5 round. Plus a bore brush and the usual small tube of slide grease/oil, and of course the lock and an actually usable stiff nylon IWB holster. I paid $545 out the door. As far as striker fired goes it’s addiquit and easily carried concealed. Like all my carry guns, I only use Wright Leather Works OWB holsters. The Idea of carrying in my pocket makes my skin crawl. 21 years of concealed carry in the great state of Florida, and no accidents…
I love my S&W 45 SHIELD, AGAIN GREAT VIDEO!!!👍✊
Springfield must do something to make this XDS .45 hold 6 rounds on a flush magazine.
The XDS 45 comes a 5 round magazine and a 6 round magazine and there is a 7 round mag available (which you showed on the video). They are both amazing firearms but for me, the XDS was my favorite which is why I purchased mine. This was my 4th Springfield XD firearm. I came real close to getting the shield though and am still considering it. Great video!
I own the S&W M&P Shield.45 & the Springfield Armory XD-9mm. Both excellent pistols!!!!
Wishing to have this kind of F/A pretty good,. 🔥💖🤓🤠
I have the XDS Mod 2 in 45 and 9. And it just blows away my M&P Shield.
If you are not a pistol marksman please don’t try to tell me about trigger pull.
Springfield is far better.
Springfield cheaped out on the extra goodies with the mod 2 but kept the box the same size. My gun dealer was shocked as hell the case was so big and all you got was a gun and a lock NO BODY uses.
One extra round from the M&P trumps all of that extra BS your not gonna use from Springfield
I have the Springfield 45 and I love it!!
6bullets vs. 5bulles a big deal !!!!
Sold my Springfields, and got Shields, and never looked back. The Springfields just feel to blocky to me.
Springfield makes a 6 round mag for the XDs. That’s how I carry mine.
Shoot them first , just sayin
VERY GOOD VIDEO I BOUGHT BOTH
March 2, 2020, this video is still relevant. Thank you sir.
While both weapons get the job done, I chose the Springfield.
Holster Pro sells great holsters to carry in cargo shorts. https://holsterpro.com/shop/ambidextrous-pocket-holster-2/
I have 2 M&P Shields: a 9mm and a .45. S&W really needs to add a mag loader for the .45 Shield. I put a nice used XDs in .45 on layaway yesterday. It will be a nice ‘pool-side’ gun. 😁
Had the xds and traded it off. Just couldn’t get comfortable with the grip. Even with some traction applications. Probably should have gone with Talon Grips instead of Foxx.
Seriously considering a shield. For sure won’t need any grip applications, I have the 2.0 compact in 45 and a 2.0 compact in 9 on lay away. Love the new grip textures. Had an m&p9c and had to put talon grips on it.
The 2.0 line, with the improved triggers and grip texture straight from the factory has eliminated the need for those common aftermarket upgrades
Grip safety for me all day long. 2 safety’s, that’s why I carry the XDS.
Sounds like you’re looking for any excuse to pick the S&M over the XDs. The two pistols are probably the most equal pistols I have ever seen. So the deal breaker is the accessories I got with the XDs. Mine came in a Ballistic Nylon case with 4 magazines, a usable Nylon IWB holster, a bore brush and all the usual other stuff. By far the better value. Both cost about $525 at the time. I bought the Mod 2 and they now have the much improved grip texture.
I has a shield 45. Now have a Springfield xds 45. You can’t go smaller with the Smith. You can go from 5 to 7 rds with the Springfield. The Springfield also IMO has better fit and finish. The slide serrations are better on the Springfield. The rail and a light like the olight pl 2 mini is perfect for night time.
The grip safety is one of the best features on the gun, anyone that would disagree needs to get re-educated on firearms 😉
Springfield XDS 45 wins !! And just FYI your win counts are wrong. Round edges, shorter overall length. Your should do an unbiased perspective instead of trying to push your sorry ass gun preference.
Fast forward to 2022…the xds is STILL the better gun of the 2..more durable build quality (XD)..more compact…more carry options 5+1..6+1 OR 7+1..tactile loaded chamber indicator..ambi mag release…accesory rail for lights or lasers(if wanted its there) unobtrusive grip saftey for safer carrying AND reholstering…& lower bore axis to just name a few..i have 2….looking for a 3rd..mod 1 👍