Noticed this in the chamber area of my 9MM Shield barrel.

I have about 400 rounds through it. All factory ammo.

In looking at my brass last time out, I noticed a slight line on the brass. I didn't think anything about it, it was slight and could have easily been from the brass smacking the slide on the way our or something.

Today, I put about 100 rounds Remington UMC through it and noticed the line on about half the brass again. Hmm, looked inside the barrel when I had the pistol apart for cleaning and noticed a matching line inside the chamber.

It doesn't look like a crack but more like a machine mark but can't really tell.

Look at the photo and tell me what you all think?

It looks like a machining error. It looks a little undercut and when the cartridge fires, the swelling of the case is leaving the impression of the machining mark. I doubt it will ever have any effect to the operation of the gun, or cause any issues, but you could send the photo the S&W and get their opinion.


Bob

Bob,
Thanks. I sent the photo to S&W tonight. They said 5 days for a response due to heavy volume.

I'm not overly worried about it. I have about 400 rounds through the pistol so if it was going to let go, I assume it would have done so before now.

It almost looks like when they cut the feed ramp there is a tool mark.

It sure doesn't look like a crack so I doubt if it will ever cause a problem.

Jeff

From what I hear, the ramp was machined (by design) too far into the chamber and the result is an unsupported chamber in that area. The unsupported area leads to bulging brass when a round is fired... More than likely will not cause a problem when firing....but cases with bulges are NOT good for reloading.
I understand a replacement barrel with a FULLY supported chamber is in the works now (Storm Lake) and is supposed to be released this year sometime.

Doug

The brass does not have a bulge it's more of a crease or line. Hard to explain and I couldn't get it to show in a photo. It's not on every piece of brass or if it is, the crease is so faint as to not be visible to my aging eyes. It almost looks like whatever tool they used to polish the feed ramp area and lower chamber cut a thousandth or two too deep.

Wish I would have taken a photo of a piece of brass in the barrel. The support looks sufficient and I haven't seen any bulging. I also haven't shot any really hot rounds. Mostly Rem UMC, Win White Box and Hornady Critical Defense. One mag full of Win PDX1 124 +p but those didn't seem very hot to me. I have no plans to shoot any of the hot stuff out of it.

Jeff

Just got a response back from S&W and they want me to send the gun back in for them to take a look. They will be emailing a UPS tag in the next couple days.

I'm going to ask if I can just send in the barrel or if they need the full firearm. Probably want the full firearm.

I just put Truglo TFO sights on it too. Hopefully they won't need to mess with the slide. If so, I do want those sights back. My guess is it would be less expensive for them to just replace the barrel than to do any kind of inspection or troubleshooting.

I've put about 400 drama free rounds through the pistol and it runs just fine.

Jeff

How will they test your pistol if you don't send everything back?

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Armatissimi e liberissimi

Smith doesnt have any test guns at their repair area? Only issues he has is with the bbl, dont see how the rest of the gun is a factor....

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Dustin

Good point!

It's not like I can use the firearm if I send the barrel only back.

I'll wait to see what they say. Does seem silly on their part to pay the overnight shipping back to their customer service center when I could just drop the barrel off at the nearest post office and send regular priority mail. The barrel is not a firearm.

Jeff

They will ask for the whole gun, sans mags since they are not the issue. Send it back in the original case inside a box. No extra parts, no accessories or anything. Remove any non factory parts and put factory parts back on if needed.

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Criminals don't register guns.

The only aftermarket parts I have on it are a set of TruGlo TFO sights. Since neither the frame nor the slide are at issue, I cannot see them messing with that. Being primarily a carry weapon, I decided not to mess with the sear or trigger (i.e. Apex) since the stock trigger is good enough for what the firearm was designed to do.

I concur with your whole statement!
Me, I would still call to verify. I'm just anal that way....

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Criminals don't register guns.

I see nothing.
glad I got the 40 shield.
Seeing bulging and lines in the nines

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S&W Shield 40 owner

What are you talking about? Some 40s have been kabooming. And the 40s have more bulging cases than the 9.

Ya I read 180 grain could be the problem with that.
Im trying to stick with 165 so i dont get kaboom

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S&W Shield 40 owner

Curious to see it when it gets back
Here was my barrel looks like its the same
Except its a 9mm

Attached Images

Barrel.jpg (33.4 KB, 213 views)

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M&P Shield 9MM. M&P 380

Put it in a much bigger box than necessary, so it cannot be carried out of a shipping facility under a coat. Doesn't cost you any more.

Over labeling is also a method used by thieves. Use the original shipping label they send you, but copy it oversize and put it on at least two opposite sides. They usually won't have larger labels for all sides.

In your barrel, can you feel the line?

Interesting. Mine is also a 9MM. Not sure how 40 cal got introduced to the thread. Guess I should have said in the opening post.

I think it is from where they polished the feed ramp and maybe got a little over zealous on mine. There is a slight "step" there that you can feel if running a wood dowel over it or a pencil. About half the brass has a slight impression in the same place and same shape as this place in the barrel.

The pistol shoots great, 400 trouble free rounds. My main concern is if it's a safety thing, I don't want it going kaboom in my hands. If it's not a safety issue then it is cosmetic and I'm far less concerned.

Jeff

Well, the Shield is in the capable hands of FedEx right now, scheduled for delivery at FedEx Monday or Tuesday.

I'm guessing Smith is going to either confirm it is in spec and nothing to worry about or will just drop a new barrel in and send it back. Either outcome is OK with me.

Not overly concerned about how long it may take. It's not like I am without other firearms to shoot and carry.

Will keep you all posted as I find out more.

Jeff

It was delivered to S&W last Monday. Hopefully will hear something in a few days. Will call end of next week (week 2) if no update.

Got it back today. Delivered to Smith & Wesson on April 4, returned to me on April 22. 12 working days is totally acceptable. In fact, I wasn't going to call them until it had been with them 4 weeks.

They put in a new barrel. I took it to the range this afternoon and put 60 rounds through the pipe. All functioned perfectly, groups were same point of impact vs. point of aim as last barrel.

All is well in the universe and the Shield is going back in the carry rotation. The Shield sure is lighter than the 1911 I've been carrying the past couple days.

Jeff

This is good news. Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

Curious, with them changing the barrel, isn't that information recorded somewhere?

I'm new to guns and still learning how it all works. But, I was under the impression that a barrel, and the serial number of a gun, sort of 'matched up'. Hence stopping people swapping barrels, and doing something stupid, no?

I'm sure there is record of it somewhere at S&W that they did the repair. On the Shield, only the frame has a serial number thus only the frame is a "gun". The rest is just parts.

I think if you're planning a crime far enough ahead to have a spare barrel or two laying around, well, there's more going on there.

Jeff

Thanks. I was more concerned that the barrel was what 'printed' on a bullet, sort of like DNA. Thus giving the general public the opportunity to change barrels would be an issue.

it is...if you use a different barrel it will have a different "print" as you say...

Bill

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Fast is Fine Accuracy is Final

Need to change the extractor, & firing pin too. That's what they look for on empty shell casings found at the scene. GARY