re: Opinions on a pistol

I'm not sure if it's the same type of action on the single stack version but the full sized and compact XD handguns must have the grip safety depressed to rack the slide. I don't care all that much about the grip safety being there but I think that's an unnecessary part of it.

If the XDs is the same as the others, I think the Shield has an advantage there. But if not, they're both of equal quality although the XDs includes more in the box. I also think the XDs has a better factory sight picture with the fiber optic front. To get that on a factory Shield you would need to get the more expensive performance center model.