If these 2 were the choices you had... (barrel, sight, combat)

[Wild Weasel]

With the Shield it appears that S&W has stopped being misleading about the technical data on their pistols. I noted this on their website when the Shield was first announced and they have stopped claiming the M&P line as double action pistols. Early reports are that the XD line has fixed the problems with the slide locking partially open on a live round. The XD armorers class gives one for pause when they tell new armorers which portions of the gun are "hands off, return it to the factory".

My choice would be neither until their availability was better, shooting public experience wider and their development was tuned with time and trouble shooting.

[DELL37]

If those were my only two choices I would try the M&P. I had the XD40 and it was alarming how bad that gun functioned. I was so confident that it wouldn't fire I would almost give it to the guy robbing my house.

I've never been a fan of either brand really but I must admit S&W has made some nice wheel guns over the years. If you are dead set on those two brands then my vote is the M&P.

[Lock N Load]

Originally Posted by NHDave

I have decided to step up my CCW caliber, having carried .380 for a very long time, the availability of more potent rounds in a package as small (even thinner) than my current choice, I am treating myself to a new carry piece. Please don't go off on caliber tangents or suggest a Glock. I've done quite a bit of research on these 2 pieces, so it will be one of these 2.

M&P Shield Mr. Dave. It's the bees knees!

[TNEC_Dad]

Originally Posted by Lock N Load

M&P Shield Mr. Dave. It's the bees knees!

I love my M&P Shield. It fits well and it shoots well.

[mhounit]

I owned an XD . It fit my hand better than my Glock and it ran flawlessly .

[rifleman]

Can I please expand it just a teensy bit to the XD(M) version? As as seleer of these truly wonderful pieces, the XD(M) version has so many great improvements, and to boot, it comes with all those funky extras (the holster, (well, only if you're a righty-dighty, which am NOT...), plus that mag holster plus an extra mag, that magazine loading tool. And the (M)s come with those grip thickness spacers. Oh, plus God's own Pelican-like case, not to mention!

And this is THE most easily disassembled & serviced handgun I think I have ever had the joy to work on!

And... not to mention that "match" moniker stamped on the bbl!! It is not there just for show: theses things REALLY shoot. The compact XD(M) 9mm would be my choice. I've been a long time .45 guy, but I can no longer rack those heavily sprung slides, at least on compact handguns. But given all the new 9mm special bullets and their VERY effective terminal performance at "Street" ranges (i.e.: 0.5 to 25 feet...) you really can't go wrong with showering a perp with that kind of luv!

Still, the regular XD is a good gun. Just not as good! It'd by like buying a 2001 BMW car but secretly expecting the same performance as a 2013 model! T'ain't gonna be happ'nin' bro!

Still I know you can get spectacular $$$ deals on the older SA models, but you do gotz'tah ask yourself "why??"...

Otherwise, please excuse me and my big ol' mouth for offering an idea outside your original OP choices. (BTW, the S&W M&P is also v. well written up; it's just not AS WELL written up as the new Springer XD(M)s....)

[M3 Mitch]

I would pick the .45 myself personally, I just like the idea of that big old low pressure cartridge for defensive use. But, MoGal is right, you could only judge properly for yourself by at least handling both pistols, preferably firing them - or, if you have owned several pistols over your life, you might be able to look at the profile of the 2 guns you are choosing between and make an educated guess as to which one would fit you best.

If you were just looking for a pistol to plink with or informally target shoot, I guess it wouldn't matter which one you got, but for defensive carry, if you ever need to use it, you will really want to have something that you can shoot well. If someone can say how a guy can figure out which of 2 guns he can shoot better with, other than to actually shoot the 2 guns, speak up and educate me - I don't know any other way to find out.

All that said, you have 2 good choices listed, either one would probably work well for you, you might just go for the one you can get a better deal on and decide that way.

[Lock N Load]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

I would pick the .45 myself personally, I just like the idea of that big old low pressure cartridge for defensive use. But, MoGal is right, you could only judge properly for yourself by at least handling both pistols, preferably firing them - or, if you have owned several pistols over your life, you might be able to look at the profile of the 2 guns you are choosing between and make an educated guess as to which one would fit you best.

If you were just looking for a pistol to plink with or informally target shoot, I guess it wouldn't matter which one you got, but for defensive carry, if you ever need to use it, you will really want to have something that you can shoot well. If someone can say how a guy can figure out which of 2 guns he can shoot better with, other than to actually shoot the 2 guns, speak up and educate me - I don't know any other way to find out.

All that said, you have 2 good choices listed, either one would probably work well for you, you might just go for the one you can get a better deal on and decide that way.

It's two different types of handguns. One is very small (sub compact) similar to a Glock 26-27 size and even smaller and thinner because it's single stack, while the other is a thick .45 ACP and not as small. The M&P Shield is a handgun that you will always carry and have on you because of it's size. It's the hottest new handgun out right now and the dealers can't keep them in stock because they fly out the door as fast as they get them in. Which IMO is the reason Dave wants or is thinking about one. Sure a fullsize M&P or XDm would be a bit more accurate and a little easier to shoot. It doesn't slide down your pants and is covered up to the point no one even knows it's there (namely you) though.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by Lock N Load

It's two different types of handguns. One is very small (sub compact) similar to a Glock 26-27 size and even smaller and thinner because it's single stack, while the other is a thick .45 ACP and not as small. The M&P Shield is a handgun that you will always carry and have on you because of it's size. It's the hottest new handgun out right now and the dealers can't keep them in stock because they fly out the door as fast as they get them in. Which IMO is the reason Dave wants or is thinking about one. Sure a fullsize M&P or XDm would be a bit more accurate and a little easier to shoot. It doesn't slide down your pants and is covered up to the point no one even knows it's there (namely you) though.

True, and I guess what I am trying to say, is how well the OP can shoot that smaller pistol is the $64K question - hard to say how that can be answered without actually shooting it.

OP, another question would be how big a guy are you? Bigger guys can more easily conceal bigger pistols.

That and how willing to dress around the gat are you?

Good point that most people are more likely to pack a smaller gat more consistently, just because it's less trouble to pack.

[Lock N Load]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

True, and I guess what I am trying to say, is how well the OP can shoot that smaller pistol is the $64K question - hard to say how that can be answered without actually shooting it.

OP, another question would be how big a guy are you? Bigger guys can more easily conceal bigger pistols.

That and how willing to dress around the gat are you?

Good point that most people are more likely to pack a smaller gat more consistently, just because it's less trouble to pack.

It does make a difference how well you can shoot it. BUT....a S&W J-frame 36, 60, 642 etc.. is always with you while the four or six inch 66 or 686 is left at home most of the time for many. A handgun the size of the M&P Shield can very well be a back-up or third gun as well. I carry the mid size Glocks and Sig Sauers the most. G19/23...P-228/229. When I need to really hide it, I use my G26, G27 or G33. The funny part is the G27 can shoot with all the other mid size and full size Glocks. Even better in some cases. The M&P Shield should hang with the M&P 9/40C and full size M&P as well. It's being looked at by numerous law enforcement agencies to be used as a back-up, and or, off duty weapon just like the Glock G26, G-27, G-33. Their mama didn't raise no dummy. It has to be pretty damn good to even be looked at twice in that market.