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Old 07-25-2015, 11:03 PM
MyDads38 MyDads38 is offline
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Default Dreaded first disassembly of Shield 40...

Well, as some of you may know from an earlier post, I picked up a LNIB Shield 40 today for $300 + $21 tax = $321 total. Gun was in the used case at a LGS near my mom's place.

The gun came with box and ALL original accessories/paper work. Fired cartridge date is 7-9-2014 and that info. matches what's on the box. SKU: 180020

So, a while ago, I took a deep breath and took the gun down for cleaning/inspection. I'm sorry to tell you all, I had NO ISSUES stripping the gun down for cleaning. After disassembly, I inspected everything inside and out; I don't believe the gun has ever been fired since leaving the "Mother Ship"! A clean patch soaked in Hoppes through the bore and - nothing; no residue at all. Nothing on the breach face, only slight residue from the slide rails and same from frame/slide tabs. Wiped everything down and proceeded to lube as per manual.

Then came time to reassemble----wait for it----Sorry, no issues here either The little Shield went back together, just as all my other S&W pistols do; like they should

At this time, I want to thank all of the members here, who have helped all those who have had issues/problems with their respective guns. Whether new out of the box, gently used or used hard to the point of abuse; there are those here that are always willing to lend their knowledge and expertise to the rest of us. That being said, I had a good idea of what to look for, when I picked up the Shield for first examination at the LGS. From all the threads/posts about stiff functioning, trouble with functioning, disassembly and reassembly; some of you folks go way beyond what is expected from an "Internet Forum".

So to all you folks, I want to say "Thank You", for your time, knowledge and willingness to share with those of us who enjoy S&W firearms. I have learned a lot in my short time here; and I appreciate you all so very much!

And I'm hoping to shoot this little bugger some time tomorrow
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Old 07-26-2015, 12:05 AM
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Wow... How disappointing!
Expecting to have a major adventure, only to have it go like the old 'Dumbo' ride at Disneyland.

Glad to hear that it was uneventful and that all the research reading you did BEFORE buying, paid off.

In today's 'Information Age', where so many people research toasters, microwaves and Smart Phones, it always amazes me how FEW people don't visit gun forums to research a gun buy, only to find us AFTER the Mayhem (of new ownership) Ensues.
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Old 07-26-2015, 12:35 AM
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Default What a horrible experience with an S&W....

Just terrible. i remember being apprehensive about taking a gun down for the first time and finding that there's nothing to it. Now the 1929 Browning A5 shotgun went back together easy, but there was some debate as to how the friction rings were supposed to be set up. Doing research every picture looked a little different without explaining why and just what load it was set up for. I went to the Browning website and a Browning forum before I got something I was satisfied with. Oh, BTW, the gun was inherited with no docs so......
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Old 07-26-2015, 02:39 AM
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Oh, fudge. Some people are such spoilsports. My advice to MyDads38 is to reinstall your RSA sloppily and carelessly, take your Shield to the range, and shoot the heck out of it. Then you can have just as much fun bitching about it as the rest of us.

Last edited by swsig; 07-26-2015 at 02:45 AM.
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Old 07-26-2015, 07:49 AM
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PirateJim PirateJim is offline
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Amazing! And here I had made popcorn expecting to hear some bizarre series of events that has led some poor soul to the brink of carrying their gun to a smith in pieces rattling around a shoe box. But noooo.... Just another guy that had the same experience as the vast majority of Shield owners that never find the need seek help on the internet.

Seriously, congratulations, I'm glad it went as smoothly as it really ought to. I've never had any real trouble with mine either.
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Old 07-26-2015, 08:38 AM
MyDads38 MyDads38 is offline
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Originally Posted by PirateJim View Post
Amazing! And here I had made popcorn expecting to hear some bizarre series of events that has led some poor soul to the brink of carrying their gun to a smith in pieces rattling around a shoe box. But noooo.... Just another guy that had the same experience as the vast majority of Shield owners that never find the need seek help on the internet.

Seriously, congratulations, I'm glad it went as smoothly as it really ought to. I've never had any real trouble with mine either.
I hope you enjoyed the popcorn anyway! LOL I'm glad that all went smoothly, and that I didn't have any "extra" parts left over after putting it back together!

When I had the Shield in hand, I was going through in my mind, all the threads I had read about stiffness, trouble racking the slide, not getting slide lock to work, etc. And most all was true as I examined the pistol at the shop. And though it is a little stiff, I was able to get all controls to do what they were supposed to do. I was probably more afraid of the take down/reassembly, but that proved to be easier and uneventful as well.

Hoping to have time today to get a few rounds down range; going to see my mom and spend the afternoon with her, since it's her birthday and she is 77 years old today
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Old 07-26-2015, 09:44 AM
Magload Magload is offline
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My friend had to have me show him how to take his apart after he had been carrying it a couple months. Don
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Old 07-26-2015, 09:58 AM
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My friend had to have me show him how to take his apart after he had been carrying it a couple months. Don
Unfortunately, I do NOT find this hard to believe.
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Old 07-26-2015, 02:46 PM
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I now feel comfortable with my new Shield 9mm... But let's face it there are many fine handguns that are much much easier to dis n reassemble .. Some examples that I also own are... Sig P320, Beretta PX4 Storm n yes...Glocks.. So that was why I felt a little perturbed trying to reassemble
The Shield n having difficulty locking it open to rotate takedown lever back .
It is what it is n I've gotten past that.
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Old 07-26-2015, 03:42 PM
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I know just how disappointed you must be. I had the same experience with my 40C. Bought it, took it out of the case., stripped it it, cleaned it real good, lubed it & loaded all 5 mags. Went to the range & shot about 300 rounds through it & not a misfire or failure to eject!

I did have sore thumbs from loading those 300 rounds in new stiff mags. I should have called S&W but bought an UpLula loader & all was well.
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Old 07-26-2015, 08:10 PM
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Unfortunately, I do NOT find this hard to believe.
The fact that he has fired less then 30 rounds through it plus never cleaned it says a lot, but then he probably couldn't get it out of his Sneaky Pete to shoot it anyway. Don
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Old 07-26-2015, 09:25 PM
MyDads38 MyDads38 is offline
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Originally Posted by MSG Glenn View Post
I know just how disappointed you must be. I had the same experience with my 40C. Bought it, took it out of the case., stripped it it, cleaned it real good, lubed it & loaded all 5 mags. Went to the range & shot about 300 rounds through it & not a misfire or failure to eject!

I did have sore thumbs from loading those 300 rounds in new stiff mags. I should have called S&W but bought an UpLula loader & all was well.
Well, it's official; went to the range this evening to try out the Shield 40. Sadly, there were NO ISSUES with firing/functioning/sight POA-POI Since I had no factory ammo on hand, my only recourse was to fire some freshly made reloads with X-treme 165 gr. plated RNFP with 4.5 grs. TiteGroup. This load shoots well in my SD40VE and my FS M&P 40. In the Shield 40-it was AMAZING! I only had time to load 26 rounds for the range and get to shoot before it started to rain.

At 3 yards, 13 rounds went into a group 3/4" x 1 1/8". This was the FIRST 13 rounds fired through the gun and POA/POI was right on the money!

At 5 yards, 13 rounds went into a group 3/4" x 1 1/4". And then the fun was over, since I had no more ammo!

First impression: This is gonna be a fun little gun to shoot! I was expecting more/uncomfortable recoil from this little guy and the 40 S&W cartridge-NOT SO! It felt like a 9mm and was no problem to control and shoot accurately.

Magazines: Yes they were stiff, but I was able to load both the 6 & 7 round mags to full capacity by hand-not easily, but got it done with less force than I expected.

Trigger: It's a stock S&W M&P trigger, a little heavier pull than my 3 FS M&P's, but not so much to be a hindrance to me. I'm expecting it to lighten slightly and become a little smoother; but no grittiness and a clean break.

Sights: Put the front dot where you want the round to go and pull the trigger-done! With any fixed sight handgun, you sometimes struggle with POA/POI, not with this little guy At SD distances, should be right on the money. I know that may change with other ammo/bullet weights; but I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled the trigger and the shots were hitting the bullseye! 13 times, no less. (x2)

When the smoke cleared and the slide was locked back, I was happy and impressed with this Shield 40. There will be lots of ammo going down range from this little guy, and with no issues, I can see putting it into rotation with it's brothers and sisters. Already looking for holsters and have a Pearce Grip Extension on the way for the 6 round mag.

Thanks for letting me ramble on; of course you know I'll have to start a weekly round count on the Shield, and will let you know of any issues along the way. Right now-26 rounds total.
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Old 08-03-2015, 12:50 AM
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Default Dreaded first disassembly of Shield 40...

I get to lot of gun stores in the summer and at vacation spots. Lately I've asked guys behind the counter the question.... What's your most popular selling gun this year/summer??... Seems the answer is always the Shield.
S&W really has a winner in the Shield n entire M&P line n I think that has really surprised Glock.....
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Old 08-03-2015, 05:14 AM
MyDads38 MyDads38 is offline
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Just a few notes/updates:

Ordered/received the Pearce Mag extension for the 6 round mag-fits and works like a charm! Adds just enough to the bottom of the mag so your pinky has someplace to be. Can't wait to try it at the range! :-)

I have 3 holsters and 2 add'l. 7 round mags on the way. An Avenger style holster from E-bay, a DeSantis Mini Scabbard, also from E-bay and a leather Bulldog holster and 2-7 round mags from our own Bob O from here on the Forum. Should be getting all these goodies in the next few days :-)
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