The first 50 rds of Speer Gold Dots resulted in excellent function about two weeks ago. Now twice in the last ~65 rounds, my slide has locked back about midway through a mag. First time was after I had already shot 100 FMJs through it, so it was dirty.

Today I started with the Speers and a clean pistol. I shot 7+1 rds with the extended mag. Then I switched to the std mag with 6+1 when it locked back prematurely after 2-3 shots. I decided to use that mag for the remainder of my range visit in case it was related to the mag. It didn't reoccur.

I even tapped the mag 2/3s the time to cause the rounds to shift forward to see if that may be a contributor, but it never repeated. Regardless, without warning it has happened twice in ~115 rds.

If ammo wasn't so hard to find, I'd happily try another SD round. Just curious if anyone else has had this happen with Speers or other SD rounds.

My guess would be your grip is forcing your slide catch up during recoil.

Thanks, but I've checked for that.

With the slide off, I inserted a loaded mag several times. If the rounds sit a few millimeters forward from the back of the mag (putting the bullet almost flush with the front wall of the mag), the bullet will lift the slide stop.

I'll load the Speers without my speed loader to ensure they sit as far back in the mag as possible and see if it reoccurs.

While loading my mags, I always slap the backs of them to make sure the rounds are against the back wall of the magazine. I used to have the RARE fail to feed with the 3913, but so far with my 9c, not even a hiccup.

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Don

S&WForty,

I use Speer Gold Dot's in my Shield 40 and have put many a round through it. Last year I participated in a ammo evaluation for LE and we shot all the major ammo brands at all sorts of targets including gel blocks and water buckets. Speer GD's finished #1 in the 40 cal. and the 9mm catagory. Perhaps I am just lucky, but I have never had a G Dot fail in my shield. I am no gunsmith, but if I was having this issue I would visit one that you feel confident in just to be sure that something is not right with the shield. Have you contacted S&W? I did on another matter, and found them very helpful............Sorry to hear of your issue, as the Shield is a great weapon in my opinion. Keep us posted on your progress.

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Sierra 255
Ret. LEO/ NRA-LIFE

Let me jump in here and ask a question. Was the "short barrel" version of Speer Gold Dots shot in addition to the regular? I've read references to the "short barrel" version a few times lately. I am curious how much less effective the std variety is in a 3" barrel Shield.

I haven't contacted S&W yet. Aside from one FTE that I am pretty sure was due to a weak grip (I was shooting a little too quickly and recall letting the pistol lift a lot), it has performed fine other than this Speer GDot issue.

I have shot about 300 rds of WWB FMJ 165 gr and 100 rds of Federal Champion FMJ 180 gr. I haven't noticed a different kick between 165 gr and 180 gr (I definitely could feel a difference with my SW99s).

I have wondered if the Speer 180 gr rds kick more and does that cause a shift of the rds in the mag (gun kicks back, rds would shift forward). Next time I go to the range, I will make sure the rear of the rds are flush with the back of the mag and remove the mag and look for any movement after each shot.

Maybe the first 50 rds of Speer GDots did fine due to the mag spring still being factory fresh and so stiff. Or maybe my UpLula used in a hurry was not placing the rds flush with the rear of the mag. I'll watch it more closely before contacting S&W.

I will be sure to post any progress or updates.