Just got my first S&W M&P, ever. Decided to maybe ditch the glock 27 and go with a shield 9mm.
The shield is a pleasure to shoot. Both the wife and i were shooting it. A few questions though.
The very first time firing it, rounds wouldn't seat properly, and light primer strikes. I was using reloads. I switched to Remington factory box ammo. That seemed to run ok.
Went back to reloads after a box of factory. All seemed to be going ok. My wife has a very hard time not limp wristing it and it was getting jammed. I also noticed that pulling the slide back from about 3/4 to full seemed really weird, like gritty and something binding. I stripped it, nothing out of the ordinary, but it back together and all seemed a little bettter.

I am worried about using as a carry gun as the primer strikes look a bit wierd. They are round with a slight line coming off the end of the primer strike. I wanted to see if this is normal. It isn't just like a round pin strike.

Is it recommended after going to the range to remove the striker assembly and clean it, lube, and reassemble?

By the way I was able to get one from G&R Tactical when they were in stock last week or so.

I am planning on doing an apex shield kit and putting on night sights also.

while I dont have any time behind a Shield....the plastic frame guns are proned to negative responses and limp wrists.

one has to put a mindset of firm grip, especially to those new to shooting. its not easy but over time....it will come natural if you stick to the fundamentals.

We issued brand spanking new G21SF and I recall my first round I chambered after oiling (qualifying with it), the retraction of the slide with rounds in the mag felt very crunchy/gritty. I took note of that and the first round fired did not eject. the empty case was still in the chamber.

Tap, Rack and followed up with the remaining rounds and has not missed a beat.

of approx 70 new G21SFs, over 25% issued experienced the first round failure as I did.

as far as reloads, this gun maybe finicky and it may take some work finding what it likes in the area of reloads. if it worked with factory ammo, then the issue was likely the reloads.

I would not worry to much about primer marks, unless those rounds were unusually hot and possibly need to back off. if you notice on your breech face, the firing pin hole also has a scoop cut and the primer may be flowing into that scoop cut when fired.

good luck

__________________
if you're gonna be a bear...

Regarding your 3/4-1 slide pull feel, look at the recoil spring for any oddities. There have been ~2 others posting here recently with spring issues. In one case the last coil was higher than it should be creating interference.

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I was going to post that same problem Thur when I broke down my shield for the first time. The spring did look funky at the end of the rod and I could hardly pull back the slide to engage the stop but after the 3rd time putting it back together all was fine. Put 75 rounds through it today with no problems.

yes I see some deformation on the first large section on the left. will s&w replace it if I call them or email them?
I took the spring out to take a pic, put the gun back together, grit feeling pulling the slide back. Took apart, rotated the spring about 180 degrees, put back together, feels better. Guess it is a spring problem. Arrghh. Email sent to S&W.

Attached Images

spring2.jpg (184.0 KB, 182 views)

I would cut the half loop off being it's the first loop and I htink the rest looks fine and that half of loop or even hole loop won't hurt the gun one bit.. I think your issues will be fixed then.. if that spring turns and it can on it's owen it will get gritty again and could tie up the gun at a bad time..George

I don't even know how to take them apart.
I just got a replacement from S&W and it didn't look much better but I was able to bend it with a needlenose pliers so it didn't look deformed. When I get to the range I'll try the new spring.

That's good because there not made to come apart the spring could be cut with diagonal wire cutters while in place but your solution sould be fine too.. Good job! George

Did they send you a spring or an entire guide rod? If I don't spin mine the perfect way after inserting the rod, I can't pull the slide back far enough to lock it open or turn the take down lever back.

If this was the first trip to the range, any grittiness could have been simple break-in issues. Clean and lube. I'm not a real fan of cutting springs because my degree is not in mechanical engineering.

As mentioned, the firing pin is normal because of the cutout on the slide, kind of like the square firing pin marks from Glocks.

An initial cleaning of the striker and channel is suggested, but oil is not. There are a couple of great Youtube videos showing how to do it.

I sent SW the same picture as seen above and they sent me a complete replacement guide rod and spring assembly. I did have to bend that one loop back into place on the new guide rod.
I've never ever had the gritty feeling on any other auto handgun period. the spring interfering with something is not acceptable. Hopefully I will take it to the range next week an report back.