Finally picked up my shield 45. Gave it a good clean and lube and took it to the range Saturday. For a cheap gun it was pretty damn good. Trigger a little heavy. Feels a little lke pulling it througn the mud but not too bad. I'm just used to some really sweet triggers. It's fine for a carry gun. Rung it out at 7 yards to start and it was plenty accurate at that distance. Had no problems hitting 8 inch plates at 25 yards too. 150 rounds 3 different ammo brands zero malfunctions so a good day.
Then I got home to give it a quick clean and inspection. When I field stripped it I went to remove the recoil/guide rod assembly and it came out and apart in 3 pieces. Long 1911 type spring, small spring, and guide rod all apart. No broken pieces, nothing went flying just all apart. I'm sure it was one simple captured assembly before. Could not get it back in the slide.
I've got to call S&W tomorrow to hopefully get a new assembly. Don't know why or how it happenned but it did. Hope they can send me a replacement quickly cause I did enjoy the hell out of it.