Excessive # of FTF's

[Byushooter]

Good morning S&W forum folks,
I recently purchased my Shield 9mm new from a local shop. Took it out to the range for some fun over the weekend, but I'm having an odd (for me, anyway) problem. I seem to be getting 1-2 FTF's in every mag I shoot. I'm using Winchester white box bulk 9mm and here's what I've noticed - the primer strike on every FTF shell is to the edge of the primer. I've inspected the ones that fired, and all of those strikes are just about dead center. After collecting the ones that did not fire, I loaded them into my XD-M and all fired without problem.
I removed the slide and upon inspection, the hole around the firing pin looks more oblong than circular (slight v-shape at the top). I showed it to the rangemaster, and he said that all striker-fired guns have that appearance (not so sure). But this probably accounts for the off-center strikes. This problem has been consistent for almost all of the 250 rounds I've fired so far.
Does anyone have an idea what might be happening? I bought this for my EDC, but don't trust it at all.

Thanks for any help/insight!

[Philadelphia Patriot]

Did you clean your gun after you bought it, but before shooting it? There could be oil/lube/etc in the striker channel.

[RobzGuns]

Originally Posted by Byushooter

I'm using Winchester white box bulk 9mm and here's what I've noticed - the primer strike on every FTF shell is to the edge of the primer. I've inspected the ones that fired, and all of those strikes are just about dead center. After collecting the ones that did not fire, I loaded them into my XD-M and all fired without problem.

Have you tried any other Brands besides WWB (Value Packs)? None of my subcompacts like WWB. I haven't used WWB for over a Year because of FTFeed/FTFire problems with it. When lining up a dozen or more rounds, I found that the OAL variance from the shortest round to the longest was as much as 1/4"... But that was probably the reason for my FTFeed, rather than a reason for FTFire. The Offset Primer Strikes MAY be a symptom of the slide not going fully into battery. If you have any rounds left, remove the barrel from the slide and drop a few rounds into the chamber. They should slide in and out freely and you should be able to spin/rotate the round without it binding. If they don't slide in and out freely, or spin/rotate without snagging, either the cases are out of spec, or the chamber (maybe) needs scrubbing. As mentioned, contaminants in the striker channel could also cause light strikes. The striker channel needs to be clean and DRY (oil Free).

Any maker can have a bad 'Lot' from time to time. Try another couple Brands and see if you're still having the same problem. My primary range round is either Federal Maroon box from WalMart (where you probably got the WWB?) or Remington UMC.

If this is going to be your Carry pistol, you may also need to try multiple brands of JHP before finding the round that works best for you.

[DanTana]

Strip the gun down and remove the firing pin and clean the channel with a q-tip or something like a pipe cleaner and make sure there is nothing inside it blocking it. I would also check and see if the barrel sits tight in the slide. Probably a long shot but if it's loose that can cause issues too. Then lube it with a good synthetic oil like Remoil. First thing you always do with a new firearm is strip it down and clean it.

A note about Winchester ammo. I have never had one problem with Winchester ammo, not to say it's perfect but it's one of the most reliable manufacturers IMHO.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by Byushooter

I'm using Winchester white box bulk 9mm and here's what I've noticed - the primer strike on every FTF shell is to the edge of the primer. I've inspected the ones that fired, and all of those strikes are just about dead center.

This concerns me. I've seen light strikes before, but not the inconsistency you're talking about with where the primer is being struck.

Originally Posted by Byushooter

I removed the slide and upon inspection, the hole around the firing pin looks more oblong than circular (slight v-shape at the top).

At the top or bottom? All my M&Ps have a slight taper at the bottom.

[skip4309]

My Shield9 has seen a few light primer strikes but I think it was the ammo (Aguila 117gr JHP)...

[Byushooter]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I always do a complete cleaning/lubrication prior to shooting for the first time. And of course, always after each range trip, too.
I did insert a few rounds into the barrel and they seemed a little tight, so I used the same rounds and tried it on my XD-M. In the Springfield, I could feel a little 'wiggle room' that I can't find in the Shield.
I'll try some other ammo, probably the maroon box and let everyone know what happens.
Thanks again.

[MichiganScott]

Your rangemaster is correct about the appearance of the breech face in striker fired plastic guns.