My first post... took my new .40 to the range for the first time today and about 50 rounds in started dropping mags. A lot more prevalent with the 7 rounder. Serial #DXX0. I'm waiting to see if the people that sent theirs in actually have it fixed before I send mine in.

My shield has been back at S&W for 2 weeks now with the magazine drop issue.
When i called they told me the same BS, that they had never heard of the issue, for them to tell me that means that their customer service people, A. dont comminicate B. live in caves C. definitely do not read this forum D. arent as great as their reputation
I own 12 handguns, and S&Ws are the only ones i ever had to send back,the other being the bodyguard 380, for the cheap laser 3 times.
Ive had better reliability and service with Taurus.
So if any of you people out there actually work or deal with S&W, tell them to wise up, admit you have a problem with these guns and recall them, If your mag doesnt drop on your .40 caliber shield, consider yourself lucky my serial number was DXT*****

Well, here is another kick in the butt. S&W is closed for 2 weeks, so if your gun is there dont expect it for at least another 2 weeks, unless your LEO. I guess they get emergency service

I just got my M&P .40 Shield last week and I am having the same mag drop issue as well intermittently with both the 6 and 7 round mags. Called S&W today and they are sending me a shipping label to send it back. My serial number is DXX0. This seems to be a huge issue with the .40 Shield they need to resolve soon.

well, ron, guess who makes the walthers now !
I forgot to mention that the other issue i had was the springs in the magazines were a real bear, It was not humanely possible to load either magazine fully without the help of a loader, the springs were so stiff or whatever other word you want to use, i thought that maybe this was what was causing the mag to drop , that somehow all the pressure from the spring compression was somehow causing the problem with the mag dropping from the recoil of the gun, anyway, S&W is closed till mid august so, nothing to report till then

I have the same problem.

Dont be surprised if they say its the first they heard of the problem, when you call, which is BS, on this thread alone there are at least 5 guns back at S&W, they are closed for 2 weeks, so un might want to get your mailer awhile

First post here. I picked up a new .40 S&W Shield #DXX10xx at Cabela's in PA. Yesterday I took it to the range for the first time and shot 100+ rounds of Winchester white box and had maybe 2-3 magazine drops. Next I tried a box of Winchester Ranger (having stronger recoil). The magazine would drop out every 1, 2, or 3 rounds. What a disappointment!!!

I'm 99% sure that I am not touching the magazine release button during firing. Also I was only loading mags with the slide locked open.

Compared to other brands of pistols, I noticed 2 things about the S&W Shield:
1) The magazine fit is VERY loose in the magazine well.
2) When a loaded magazine is inserted into the pistol, only a TINY amount of pressure on the magazine release button will eject the magazine. It's like a hair trigger, just ridiculous.

I REALLY like his pistol in every other way. I think I'll hold off on sending it back to S&W until I'm confident they have identified the problem and have a 100% fix.

My shield has a serial number starting with DXP. I have not had any problems with mine. I recently gave my 7 round mag to my brother-in-law and he gave me his 6 round one. He has not had any problems with his as of yet. My dad just purchased a shield 9 and he had ftf and stovepiping with his 8 round mag. He did not have a problem with the 7 round one.

Sent from my Dell Streak 7 using Tapatalk 2

Sent mine in a week before they closed down for two weeks. Serial number DXV... My first Smith and Wesson and it's not a good first impression.

DXV6nnn as well on mine. Just checked. Mine is back with S&W now.

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G19, Shield40, BG380

I'd be willing to bet it is USER ERROR more then an actual defect. I noticed the above happens to me on my FS 40 & 45 if i have the slide closed when i stick in a loaded mag. I really gotta jami it in to seat it. If i leave the slide open...NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER!

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M&P40/45FS, 40C, 2206TGT

And that is a bet you would lose. This has been covered in prior posts. Unfortunately it is the gun.

I DID SAY I HAVE THE FS. The mag has never fell out but i do notice i have to jam it in when the slide is forward.

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M&P40/45FS, 40C, 2206TGT

This isn't just a Shield issue, I have a S&W MP 9mm Pro, and I had that same issue. Problem turned out to be a worn mag release lever. My gun, however, was a S&W sales rep demo gun, prior to me purchasing it. So it got handled a lot, and got a fair amount of wear and tear, even though it wasn't shot much. (mags inserted, released).

this is something all MP owners should keep an eye on.

Thats the silliest thing i ever heard, please explain to me how you can rack one in the chamber, and fill your mag back up to capacity, leaving the slide open???

I own 12 hand guns and never heard that one before, trust me its the gun!!!

Shot 100 rds this weekend with no problems. Wife shot 50 rnds (shoots gun better than me ...hammered bullseye at 7 yds.

Lucky so far still no problems;however did notice loose fit when gun was hot. My serial is DXV.

DXT, 40 Same problem, gun is at S&W and now cant check status because customer service and repair is closed until 10 August. I have two glocks and now wish I had three. Never again will I buy a Smith and Wesson.

I never said i had one in the tube already!

What was meant was if the slide was forward because i just finished emptying the mag, i would shove a new loaded mag in the pistol then have to rack the slide! This is what i am talking about!

better?

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M&P40/45FS, 40C, 2206TGT

Shot another 100 rds yesterday. No problems but mag gets very loose after about 50 rds. Short mag shoots better groups than long one! Makes no sense but holds true for me and wife. I have only shot light loads and am concerned about when I start using defense loads. (will shoot heavy loads after about 500rd break in), I'm also keeping both mags loaded to try and weaken springs! From watching "U" tube, reading forum, and shooting gun problem seems to be in mags----sides to weak and springs too heavy---just a thought from my view.

Thanks everyone for your input here. It has really helped me. Wish I had read them before I got the gun!

Windage& Elevation

My shield .40's number is DXP2... No problems of any kind. Approximately 300 rounds through it, both range rounds and defense rounds.

POLL UPDATE:
It look likes approximately 2/3 (28 of 45 reports) of the Shield 0.40 owners in this forum are experiencing the magazine drop issue. How can S&W act so clueless? The answer is that they are not being truthful with their customers, which is worse than the problem itself. The good news is that there many choices for modern gun owners other than S&W. As for me, I've been waiting for three weeks for my magazine release replacement part - too long and not acceptable.

Guess my Shield 40 will be going back to my dealer tomorrow. It's a shame because I really like the gun, but I'm having the same drop mag problem with the extended mag. Called Smith and they sent another mag catch.....same problem. I would be a little more inclined to see the problem through if I hadnt had such a bad experience with my Bodyguard 380. It seems like Smith is following the same business practice as some software developers. Ship the product and we'll make it work later. Totally unexceptable in my opinion.

Has anyone got a legitimate response from S&W yet? Like we have new magazines or new magazine catches in the pipeline...or anything to acknowledge the problem and they are prepared to deal with it? I sent mine in about ten days before their shutdown and haven't heard anything.

unfortunately your going to wait at least 2 more weeks fr your mag part, they are closed for 2 weeks , starting 7/31

Mine got there 7/16. so your not alone, i called the day they shut down and all i was told its in line for service, but that they are closed for 2 weeks, be patient, but they never acknowledged any major problem. Unfortunately, i have yet to see anyone post that they got one back and were satisfied with the fix, Several people got new mag catches, and installed them but i dont think it solved the problem, so if anyone is out there that got one back yet, speak up

Has anyone actually got one back that was happy with the fix?????

I went to the local indoor range today and rented the Shield 40. The magazine popped loose on the first shot. I thought maybe it was something I was doing so I tried adjusting my grip, but it continued to do the same thing. I also had one FTE and one FTF, but maybe those were results of the magazine issues? I was using Magtech ammo and was using the 7rd extended magazine. When I turned it back in they told me that others who had shot that same pistol had the same issue. I would also echo what others have said about the magazine fit being loose or sloppy feeling. A few times I fired and would double check the magazine and it felt loose even when it was fully seated. Even if that is OK I still don't like how it feels. After reading this forum I called the range and advised them they may want to send theirs back! Not sure what the serial number is on that one since I didn't see this forum until afterwards.

Bill340, As I stated in an earlier post, mine dropped the mag on the second shot after having it "REPAIRED". They replaced my first lower with a DXT serial number for one with a DXV serial number. Made no difference what so ever in it's dependability. These guns need to be recalled before someone is seriously hurt.

You must know something the rest of us don't. What's the fix and since when has "human" beta testing on firearms become acceptable? Mine is as FUBARed as it was when I sent it in for repairs. These are deadly weapons and not some yuppie computer operating software that can be released and BETA tested. This problem and S&W's response to it demonstrates a complete irresponsibility to us customers and does nothing but further fuel the fires of the anti-gunners that claim how unsafe firearms are. This gun is extremely unsafe.

I shot 2 mags of speer gold dot 180g through my DXX1### .40 cal shield yesterday. No mag drops.

Today i bought 100 rounds of the cheapest stuff i could find at walmart. No mag drops. Slowfire, both mags, rapid fire.

It was really accurate at 15 yards. Tight groups in an 8 inch circle. Im really happy with how well it shoots. I hope to get to 300 plus rounds in the next few weeks to really give it a workout and see if the mag drop problem develops.

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MP40 442 SHIELD9 SHIELD40 MP22

I have a question that I am sure that some will find stupid but others may not.

Has anyone with a Shield in .40 tried to swap to the 9mm barrel and mag and see if it still has the magazine drop issues?

I see where some people have bought both of the Shields and was just curious.

I was on the fence about buying a Shield in .40 and after reading about this issue, I am going to sit on the sidelines and wait until it is resolved.

Life in stressful situations is tough enough without having the slightest doubt in the back of your mind if you are going to be able to win the encounter. Been there, done that

250 rounds using both magazines. Zero problems. serial number DXTxxxx

Mine sent in 7/20, to help others with the queue. Called S&W earlier today and they said that it was fixed, just waiting for test firing (the range was closed this week). Told to call next Friday if it hadn't shown up yet.

I tried to prompt a response by saying, "Hey, I know you guys are aware of the mag-drop issue with the Shield 40's and are working on it. Do you have a fix?"

The answer was "Oh, yeah." No specifics. I didn't know enough to probe - I'm a relative newbie.

We'll see. This may have been a stock we'll-fix-it answer. Not holding my breath. Will report as soon as I get it and can put a few rounds through.

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G19, Shield40, BG380

Sure wish I had read this forum before purchasing my .40 Shield. Took it to the range today for the first time. The 7 round magazine dropped after every round fired. Didn't have the 6 round magazine with me so I couldn't test it. Serial No DXXnnnn.

This is really disappointing. I've got several M&P Fullsize pistols and have never had any problems. I was really looking forward to having this Shield for my daily CCW. Assuming S&W can fix the problem, I'm not sure that I will be able to ever fully trust it.

My Shield .40 is doing the same thing. I took it to the range a few days after I received it, unaware of this issue. With the extended mag, it released repeatedly, always inserted the mag with slide open. Fired 150 rds that day, no problems with the flush mag. Thought it might be my grip, Took it back out the next Saturday and focused on my grip, made sure I was not touching the mag release,fired another 150 rds, it still did as bad that day. I did have 2 failures with the std mag. Serial # DTX3xxx. I have not yet contacted S&W at this point, I've been hoping to see that someone has experienced a solution. I have 2 other M&P's full size and have never had any problems with them. After they return to work, I'll give them a call, but I'm not sending it in until they actually come up with a solution. One more thing I noticed, when comparing the shield to my M&P 45 full size, the fs mag release has to be pressed virtually all the way in to release the mag ,where the shield you barely need to touch it.

FWIW, no problems on my .40, 150 rounds with a DXP serial number, which was the first ones that were received locally, on the release date.

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Wayne

I am waiting on the sideline as well.....

But if I had one, and had problems, I would be tempted to modify the mag or mag well that would push the mag forward against the catch ever so slightly.

After having an M&P 45C, and seeing how the mag catch works is seems that With the shield 40, the mag is slightly too small, which forces the lip on the catch to miss or unhook under a strong recoil(40 cal)

The looseness reported in the mag confirms this.

You shouldnt have to modify a new carry weapon, EVER, but this would seem to do the fix.

When S&W finally owns this problem, I bet that the solution is a just a slightly modified mag that is slighlty thicker in back, pushing the mag toward the catch.

I've reported no problems with my 40 Shield already (and am included in CJ's count) but wanted to add my serial number begins with DXP. I received the pistol in late May and have been 100 percent happy with it.

I sympathize with those of you who've had problems with mag drop and you have every right to be p.o.'d about it. My hunch is that in ramping up production to meet the greater-than-expected demand, a problem developed that wasn't revealed until hundreds of the pistols were in your hands and the problem became evident. But why their CS has seemed oblivious in the face of what must be dozens of inquiries and many returns, is puzzling to me.

I also think S&W should have either a marketing type or an engineer monitoring threads like these and having a presence on them. Can't figure out why they wouldn't -- their customer base is right here, day in and day out....

If you guys with the drop issues can see your way clear to waiting this out, I know you'll be pleased with your Shield in the long run. This, though, from admittedly one of the most impatient guys on the planet...

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

To me, it is now a matter of confidence. In my way of thinking, there are only a small portion of people that are computer saavy and are thinking about researching a problem with a weapon online. And perhaps even a smaller portion of those would know about this forum or even this thread.

So the real question is how large of a percentage of the population of firearms actually have this problem yet are unable to voice their concerns.

I actually always been a big S&W fan but until they own up to the issue and actually step up with a repair/recall/whatever, I won't be spending any cash on anything other than their traditional firearms.

Duct tape will fix it!

Sure hope you're right. After doing my research, I came to to the conclusion that Glocks and S&Ws would be my weapons-of-choice. Similar enough for learning how to clean/maintain and both supposedly reliable.
This has caused a serious crisis-of-confidence for me on S&W. First M&P, and this has made the gun un-usable for CCW. Even spent time and money on training to make sure I was shooting correctly. I'm not LE, so this was for the extreme off-chance of SD in the case of my S&W or HD in the case of my Glock. Perhaps jumped in too fast, but still... Gives me pause. Serious pause.

Glad to read about others NOT having the problem. Truly. At least I can wrap my head around how a production set-up could lead to the problem, AND it indicates that there may be a solution. If, for example, someone used to building a different-sized M&P and not aware of the nuances of the Shield 40 grabbed the wrong part (that worked for their weapon). The worst would be a poor design, but I figure that all Shield 40s would have experienced the issue.

The fact there seems to be early serial numbers that are okay supports this theory. Perhaps S&W pulled some people over to the Shield assembly line in response to the heavy demand. Those people grabbed the wrong mag catch/spring/thingee.

Again, DXV6nnn as a reference of my serial #. Seems like DXV, DXW and DXX are the problems so far, right?

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G19, Shield40, BG380

i forgot to mention that mine is DXTxxxx and has not had any problems.

could one of you who are having issues please try my idea mentioned in post #21 to see if this cures the problem?

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NRA life member

Loose mag was bothering me because it seemed that I would soon be having mag dropped problem. I put one thin strip of lead tape (golfers tape) on the back of both mags and both fit perfect now. Shot 150 rds and wife continues to out shoot me with this gun;however, not by much this time. Shield is going to be her ccw as she has no problems with recoil from this gun. I will be getting an XDs....prefer 45 and XDs will be lighter that my current carry. (Bobtail Dan Wesson 1911)

Very happy with how well Shield shoots and conceals.

Windage & Elevation

I will give this a go this week, won't make it to the range until this coming weekend though.

Have shot over 500 rounds through mine. Have shot roughly even number with both mags. Mag dropped once or twice the first day, but I think I may have hit the release with my thumb. I do not remember which mag was the problem. I then saw comments about hitting the release with your thumb on the forum and have been conscious of it ever since. No mag drops since.

However, I have mostly been shooting five rounds at a time. (My OCD likes to have nice even numbers on all the targets when the box is gone.)

I will go home this week and fire with full mag +1 and report back. Serial #DXP0.

I can't believe Smith is unaware of this issue. I'm sure there are some on here that are employees. Being as this is more or less a Smith owners forum. I can't imagine that Smith management wouldn't be monitoring this site from time to time. Just makes good business sense.

good for you!

if you are not sure what to do, take the mag apart (remove baseplate, spring and followert) and slide the mag body into the pistol until it seats. now you can look down inside the mag with a torch and see exactly where the mag-catch contacts the mag.

just push the top edge of the slot in the mag (that contacts the mag catch) out a millimeter or so. a few good whacks with a punch and hammer from the opposite side should do it.

my pistol does not drop mags, i did this for piece of mind. now that it's done, the mag release button must be pushed in much farther to get the mag to release, and i know that the mag is being held in the pistol much more securely than before.

good luck and let us know if this helps

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NRA life member

Just went to the range and shot 100 rounds through the .40 , used both 6 and 7 round mags with Hornady CD and Winchester FMJ . I even mixed the ammo in each mag 3 & 3 and 4 & 3 staggered . No magazine drop no FTE/FTF ...now my shooting is another story lol ....wasn't to bad I had all six headshots from 10 yards at 25 yards 5 center mass 1 flyer. Serial # is DXP3***



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Si vis pacem para bellum

I don't own a Shield 40 (but want to buy a 9), but have read through this thread. If the mags really are undersize a bit and this is causing the problem, a person might try adding a strip of black electrical tape to an appropriate part of the mag to see if that tightens things up and helps or eliminates the problem. NOT suggesting this as a permanent fix, but as a testing procedure. If they are loose front-to-back, try some tape on the front and/or back of the mag. If side to side, put a strip on the side. Worth a shot, I'd say. Good luck!

Rob