[MrG]

Hi looking to get some feedback from the group on the Xds 9 mm. I currently have a Glock G19 4th gen that I like but am thinking of the XDs because of its slimmer build and easier conceal-ability, I haven't concealed carry yet since I wanted to get some range time in and make sure that I was hitting what I aimed at. I have been going to the range once a week now since getting my permit in March and am getting really good groupings.

I have held the XDs and it feels good in my hands. With the new promo of 3 extra mags if purchased between Aug 1st and Oct 31st it seems like a good deal. I want to stay with a 9mm since I already have one and this will be a pistol that is also registered to my wife.

If anyone can chime in with the positives and the negatives of this firearm it would be greatly appreciated. Mainly looking to see if there are any issues with this firearm.

Thanks in advance.

 

[thughes]

Love mine, over 1000 rounds down the pipe without a single hiccup. Conceals well too. Can't think of any negatives other than the 7 round capacity sucks when you're taking a training course and everybody else is shooting 10 round mags (I've gotten very proficient at mag changes).

 

[Cuomostein]

Grip safety is a negative, everything else is positive.

 

[Ilpadrino113]

It is a little heavier than other cc single stack nines, but that could also be a good thing, it does weigh more than a glock 17, but that also makes it really nice to shoot and with a good holster and belt won't be an issue. They are also a little bigger than the average small 9, but still small enough to cc everyday.

Trigger is is great, sights are great, built well, I love mine in 45.

They are more expensive than other small nines, but worth it. If you have a line on one pick it up, you won't be disappointed.

 

[goperfect]

Grip safety is a negative, everything else is positive.

Why is that a negative for you? Just wondering.

I have and love the XDS45. Not one complaint.

 

[ScotchMan]

As Cuomostein said, the grip safety is the biggest issue. It is a problem because if you don't or can't depress it, the gun doesn't fire. The human brain is wired to focus on the threat, which means the most common gunshot injuries reported are hand injuries. If shooting with an injured hand, or weak hand only, are you still going to be able to depress it? What if the fight starts with you getting knocked to your ass and you can barely get the gun out much less a proper firing grip?

Some guns are meant for warfighting, some are meant for target shooting, the XDs is meant as a last-ditch survival tool when you have no other options. I want as little "safety" on it as possible. What are you gaining with the grip safety that you can't get by following the gun safety rules? The gun isn't going off unless you pull the trigger, the grip safety is just there as a marketing tool for those who aren't really as comfortable with guns as they should be if they are carrying.

Just my opinion. I would take a Walther PPS or a Shield sans safety over the XDs.

 

[ScotchMan]

As Cuomostein said, the grip safety is the biggest issue. It is a problem because if you don't or can't depress it, the gun doesn't fire. The human brain is wired to focus on the threat, which means the most common gunshot injuries reported are hand injuries. If shooting with an injured hand, or weak hand only, are you still going to be able to depress it? What if the fight starts with you getting knocked to your ass and you can barely get the gun out much less a proper firing grip?

Some guns are meant for warfighting, some are meant for target shooting, the XDs is meant as a last-ditch survival tool when you have no other options. I want as little "safety" on it as possible. What are you gaining with the grip safety that you can't get by following the gun safety rules? The gun isn't going off unless you pull the trigger, the grip safety is just there as a marketing tool for those who aren't really as comfortable with guns as they should be if they are carrying.

Just my opinion. I would take a Walther PPS or a Shield sans safety over the XDs. My EDC is a PPS, I will be upgrading to the PPQ as soon as my holster is complete. If I was starting over now, I might get the Shield over the PPS since its now available without the safety and has an extra round, better magazine design, and more aftermarket support.

 

[Cuomostein]

Why is that a negative for you? Just wondering.

I have and love the XDS45. Not one complaint.

It's not as pronounced of a negative on XDs but still. You have a device that will disable your gun and is susceptible to failure. On regular XD/XDm you cannot rack the slide without depressing grip safety. HUGE negative, I can't even understand how people put up with it, with a gun like that if you draw it and grab it too low during stress it won't fire. You have to have a perfect grip every time you draw the gun.

I've read about people who got dirt/sand granules under their grip safety and it jammed the gun completely. It happens more than it should.
Now on XDs you can rack the slide without depressing grip safety which is a nice step forward and on a smaller gun you almost always will get a proper grip and guarantee disengaging the grip safety.

 

[willjr75]

I myself prefer the grip safety. I can holster in the pants while sitting in the car in the dark and do not worry about an accidental discharge snagging the trigger while holstering since I do not press the grip safety while holstering.

As far as pressing it while firing, it is natural for me and I never inadvertently not pressed it. There is no pressure whatsoever to press it. None. The amount of pressure to press it is the same amount of pressure as a button on a remote control. I have unholstered in numerous scenarios and never failed to press it. I cannot see how you cannot NOT press it. There is no real pressure to it at all. If you somehow fail to press it, you are not gripping the firearm and shouldn't be pressing the trigger.

I like the weight of it. It is one of the softest shooting 9mms I have ever fired.

I also like the magazines. With 1 in the chamber, the 7 rounder conceals great giving me 8 rds. The 9 rounder gives me a full sized grip giving me 10 rds. It's like having two handguns in one.

I also like the slim grip. I can conceal it with shorts and a wife beater around the house with hardly no printing. I cannot do that with a double stack. In NY, a double stack will only give you 10 rounds. The 9 round magazine keeps a slim grip while only losing 1 round.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

Have you tried to conceal the Glock 19, even around the house? You can always try a cheap holster to find your most comfortable location. I would also recommend you try sitting in a car with your gun concealed.

Have you considered a Glock 26? The XDS is closer to a 26, if you are a Glock guy you may want to consider that instead of switching platforms.

I have shot the XDS45 with and without gloves. I had no problem with the grip safety. Nice gun, but I think the 9mm version would be easier. Tiny 45s are wild.

 

[ScotchMan]

IIf you somehow fail to press it, you are not gripping the firearm and shouldn't be pressing the trigger.

At a static range, sure. Sometimes we aren't given the opportunity for perfect form. George Zimmerman comes to mind, I believe it is possible he may not have had an ideal grip when he fired to save his life.

 

[71velle]

When I bought my Shield it was between it and the XDs. The Shield felt better in my hand so thats what I went with, but the XDs is the same size so yes easy to carry. I thought the XDs is a very well built gun and know a few guys that have them in 45 and love them. The only thing I have heard is the the XDs trigger is not that great, from what I remember it was fine by me when dry firing so see if you like it. I sent a lot of time in a lot of different shops and in the smaller 9mm the Sheild and XDs were the best options imo. My bet would be that if you bought the XDs you would be happy. It would be great if we could rent guns in NYS to see what we like instead of the best guesses.

 

[willjr75]

At a static range, sure. Sometimes we aren't given the opportunity for perfect form. George Zimmerman comes to mind, I believe it is possible he may not have had an ideal grip when he fired to save his life.

My point is no matter how I grip it, the grip safety is depressed unless I deliberately cause a space between the grip and the palm of my hand. There is no perfect form to press it. You have to consciously not press it.

 

[Ryan Brownshoe]

I personally would never consider a pistol with a grip safety as a carry gun, simply because I believe it's just one more part with the potential of failure.

I had read about a guy 4 wheeling while carrying an XDS and he had gotten so much mud and grit into the gun that the safety would not disengage.

I would be checking out the S&W Shield or Walther PPS.

Good luck man

 

[ScotchMan]

My point is no matter how I grip it, the grip safety is depressed unless I deliberately cause a space between the grip and the palm of my hand. There is no perfect form to press it. You have to consciously not press it.

I understand. I have done the same experiments. If it was the only gun available, I'd make it work, but it gets me nothing and can cause an issue. I can hold a gun such that a Shield would fire and an XDs wouldn't. It's not a pretty grip, but it is possible. I carry a gun to be prepared for as many eventualities as possible, so if the gun itself is limiting me, even a little, I consider that a downside.

But, it's great that we have options, and it may be right for some people. I am just offering my opinion, one data point.

 

[71velle]

I can hold a gun such that a Shield would fire and an XDs wouldn't. It's not a pretty grip, but it is possible.

could you explain how you hold a Shield so it does not fire.

 

[burnetma]

I am in the same camp as WillJr75. The grip safety is a positive, not a negative. It allows me to have safe reholstering of the pistol simply by using the same muscle memory as hammer riding my Sigs. I believe that postulated failure mode of a broken or jammed grip safety is being greatly overstated. I would suggest that if one is carrying ANY handgun in a muddy or sandy environment, proper carry gear is required to protect all parts of the pistol from potential debris. I carry 24 x 7 including farming and working the woodlot, so I have seen some pretty nasty debris build-up yet never an issue, because I keep most of it out with a cover.

I have owned an XDs9 for about a year. It has been 100% flawless through about 800 rounds. I have performed numerous drills trying to make it fail, all have been unsuccessful. My only complaint is slide bite. I have very large meaty hands and the web/top of my thumb knuckle have been bitten on more than one occasion. Overall, I think it is a fine gun.

EDIT: I have two other gripes about the XDs and all striker fired pistols for that matter. I did not mention these as the OP is familiar with and accepting of the Glock platform, thus they are not an issue for him. However, I bring it up as a general advisory to others.
1. No restrike capability.
2. The "safety trigger". I understand the necessity for striker fired pistols, but one more potential failure mode. I do not find the XDs trigger to be offensive, but others have had issues with discomfort.

 

[MrG]

Hi guys thanks for all the feedback. I don' t see an issue with the grip safety, I dry fired one in the lgs and had no issue, didn't even really notice it. There is something about the gun that has appealed to me. I am going to see if one of the rental ranges in PA has it in their catalog and go try it out, that how I went about getting my Glock.

 

[12ette]

As Cuomostein said, the grip safety is the biggest issue. It is a problem because if you don't or can't depress it, the gun doesn't fire. The human brain is wired to focus on the threat, which means the most common gunshot injuries reported are hand injuries. If shooting with an injured hand, or weak hand only, are you still going to be able to depress it? What if the fight starts with you getting knocked to your ass and you can barely get the gun out much less a proper firing grip?

Some guns are meant for warfighting, some are meant for target shooting, the XDs is meant as a last-ditch survival tool when you have no other options. I want as little "safety" on it as possible. What are you gaining with the grip safety that you can't get by following the gun safety rules? The gun isn't going off unless you pull the trigger, the grip safety is just there as a marketing tool for those who aren't really as comfortable with guns as they should be if they are carrying.

Just my opinion. I would take a Walther PPS or a Shield sans safety over the XDs.

There is nothing more to be said.