Springfield vs S & W .45 ACP

fauxpa46 · December 16, 2022, 04:58 PM

Anyone have experience with BOTH the XD-S Mod 2 .45 acp 3.3” as well as the S&W Shield .45? If so, please list your personal pros and cons of each as a comparison. Thank you.

Adventurer 2 · January 7, 2023, 11:04 AM

I once owned a Springfield XD-S 45 w 4” barrel - I know this isn’t the pistol you are asking about but it is an earlier version of what you are asking about. I loved everything about the Springfield except it shot very low from point of aim. I seem to have this issue w fiber optic sighted pistols - that was a sell it issue for me. I replaced it with a Shield 45 - this shot point of aim, more grip to hold onto, and an extra round - liked the S&W Shield 45 better.

amprecon · January 9, 2023, 01:25 AM

I know your asking for experience with both, but I'm hoping this may help. I have the S&W Performance Center Shield M&P45 M2.0 with 4" barrel. I can say it probably has the best trigger I have ever tried on a polymer gun and it's really accurate.

Siggy-06 · January 10, 2023, 10:40 AM

I’ve shot both. Reliability was the same, but the shield was more easier/comfortable to shoot. I like the original XDS over the mod 2 personally.

JustJake · January 11, 2023, 09:06 AM

A little-used S&W 645 beats 'em both.

**Shane Tuttle** · January 11, 2023, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJake

A little-used S&W 645 beats 'em both.

Other than being a completely different platform, all metal instead of polymer, produced barely over 3 years, not as readily available replacement parts, less than average accuracy, bulkier, heavier, and the O.P. specifically stated the differences between the XD(s) Mod 2 and the Shield and no other firearms, the 645 might "beat them both" in whatever parameters you're imagining.

fauxpa46 · January 11, 2023, 05:39 PM

Thank you, gentlemen. I believe the Shield is hard to beat. (Really disappointed I let mine go; DUH!)

claydoctor · February 2, 2023, 08:49 AM

I have the Shield in all three calibers and am a big fan. I was amazed, when I first shot the 9mm as to how little perceived recoil there was. I was even more amazed, the first time I shot the 45. It's as though they had re-written the laws of physics.

Sarge · February 2, 2023, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fauxpa46

Anyone have experience with BOTH the XD-S Mod 2 .45 acp 3.3” as well as the S&W Shield .45? If so, please list your personal pros and cons of each as a comparison. Thank you.

I've owned both the Shield 45 and Mod2 XD45 3.3 Subcompact (9 round). I've also shot 4-5 XDs 45s, though I can't recall if any of those were Mod 2.

None of them were what I'd call hard kickers, but I've shot hat-fulls of 44 mag & heavy 45 Colt through 4-5 inch revolvers. I can tell you I prefer the Shield to everything mentioned, and the subcompact 45 Glocks. The Shield provides a nice, flat carry profile with just enough grip to accommodate a grown man's hands.

It is also more accurate than it has any right to be, for its size. Five USA 230 FMJ at 50 yards, standing unsupported.

JustJake · February 2, 2023, 04:49 PM

Nice hits on that steel but my most-awesome S&W 645 can shoot equal to that, or inside that, all day.

Jimboishere · February 3, 2023, 01:30 AM

Didn't have this specific XD, but in general over my time shooting I've always gravitated towards the Shield. Just feels much more comfortable to shoot

44caliberkid · February 3, 2023, 12:20 PM

I really like my Shield 9mm, it is one of two pistols I use for EDC. Do the 45’s have the same thumb buster magazine loading that the 9’s do?

December 16, 2022, 04:58 PM	#1
fauxpa46 Member Join Date: February 15, 2021 Location: South Central PA Posts: 50	Springfield vs S & W .45 ACP Anyone have experience with BOTH the XD-S Mod 2 .45 acp 3.3” as well as the S&W Shield .45? If so, please list your personal pros and cons of each as a comparison. Thank you.

January 9, 2023, 01:25 AM	#3
amprecon Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 1999 Location: TN Posts: 786	I know your asking for experience with both, but I'm hoping this may help. I have the S&W Performance Center Shield M&P45 M2.0 with 4" barrel. I can say it probably has the best trigger I have ever tried on a polymer gun and it's really accurate. __________________ "You can't get 'em all Josey." "That's a fact". "Well how come you doin' this then?" "Cause I got nothin' better to do."

January 10, 2023, 10:40 AM	#4
Siggy-06 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,148	I’ve shot both. Reliability was the same, but the shield was more easier/comfortable to shoot. I like the original XDS over the mod 2 personally. __________________ Flicks just like a lighter, just a different kind of fire.

January 11, 2023, 09:06 AM	#5
JustJake Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2020 Posts: 497	A little-used S&W 645 beats 'em both. __________________ I use the Jake Brake every chance I get. Don't care if it annoys you. Hear me now?!

February 2, 2023, 04:49 PM	#10
JustJake Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2020 Posts: 497	Nice hits on that steel but my most-awesome S&W 645 can shoot equal to that, or inside that, all day. __________________ I use the Jake Brake every chance I get. Don't care if it annoys you. Hear me now?!

January 7, 2023, 11:04 AM	#2
Adventurer 2 Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Posts: 663	I once owned a Springfield XD-S 45 w 4” barrel - I know this isn’t the pistol you are asking about but it is an earlier version of what you are asking about. I loved everything about the Springfield except it shot very low from point of aim. I seem to have this issue w fiber optic sighted pistols - that was a sell it issue for me. I replaced it with a Shield 45 - this shot point of aim, more grip to hold onto, and an extra round - liked the S&W Shield 45 better.

January 11, 2023, 05:39 PM	#7
fauxpa46 Member Join Date: February 15, 2021 Location: South Central PA Posts: 50	Thank you, gentlemen. I believe the Shield is hard to beat. (Really disappointed I let mine go; DUH!)

February 2, 2023, 08:49 AM	#8
claydoctor Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 450	I have the Shield in all three calibers and am a big fan. I was amazed, when I first shot the 9mm as to how little perceived recoil there was. I was even more amazed, the first time I shot the 45. It's as though they had re-written the laws of physics.

February 3, 2023, 01:30 AM	#11
Jimboishere Junior Member Join Date: February 2, 2023 Posts: 5	Didn't have this specific XD, but in general over my time shooting I've always gravitated towards the Shield. Just feels much more comfortable to shoot

February 3, 2023, 12:20 PM	#12
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,098	I really like my Shield 9mm, it is one of two pistols I use for EDC. Do the 45’s have the same thumb buster magazine loading that the 9’s do?