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  #1  
Old 07-16-2014, 12:43 PM
Well Armed Well Armed is offline
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I also read this on another forum:
Quote:
I also just got off the phone with S&W customer service. I was told that they were selling the 9mm shield barrels but are not anymore. CS also said they are getting several 40 cal shields in for warranty work that have jammed with the 9mm barrel in place. The guy i talked to said the barrel swap doesn't work.
I also just got this email response from s&w:

Quote:
Originally Posted by s&w cs rep
Dear Customer,

The barrels are not for sale. If you need a replacement barrel it is factory installed only.

Sincerely,

Rachel
So for all you who are only buying 40 cal Shields thinking you'd have the best of both worlds, forget about it. Also, if you buy a 9mm and only need a replacement barrel, you'll have to ship them your entire firearm.

Last edited by Well Armed; 07-16-2014 at 01:01 PM.
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Old 07-16-2014, 02:37 PM
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With all the successful conversions out there, I wouldn't believe what the factory says on this subject.
It is not in their best interest to sell 9mm barrels, they would like to sell another gun.
All the nay-sayers of full size, compact and shield 40 to 9 conversions have been proven wrong many times over.
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Old 07-16-2014, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by prairie View Post
With all the successful conversions out there, I wouldn't believe what the factory says on this subject.
It is not in their best interest to sell 9mm barrels, they would like to sell another gun.
All the nay-sayers of full size, compact and shield 40 to 9 conversions have been proven wrong many times over.
Yea well, all that really matters is that s&w aren't selling shield barrels only...
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Old 07-16-2014, 06:50 PM
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Quote:
all that really matters is that s&w aren't selling shield barrels only...
Pretty much known that for a Year or more... But I'd bet we keep seeing new threads with people asking about .40 - 9mm conversion and asking about buying just the barrel... At least Quarterly, probably Bi-Monthly.

... and even though S&W's official response is that they don't Recommend it, others will jump in and say that it works just fine.

Whether it actually works or not is moot until S&W starts selling just the barrels again, isn't it?
Hopefully one of the aftermarket companies will get off their butts and start cranking some out
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Old 07-16-2014, 07:09 PM
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I contacted all the companies that make S&W M&P aftermarket pistol barrels about Shield 40-9 conversion barrels. One responded that they plan to offer them in the future, but need to be able to keep up with demand on current products first. For the life of me I can't recall which company, but expect I'll see it here on this forum when they become available.

Last edited by prairie; 07-16-2014 at 07:10 PM.
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Old 07-16-2014, 08:20 PM
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Converting to a 9 didn't even cross my mind when I bought my Shield, but if SL or someone started making a conversion barrel, I'd probably be all over it.
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Old 07-17-2014, 06:32 AM
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I'm sure there are plenty of us around here with a .40 shield and a 9mm barrel who haven't had any problems with this. And we have been doing this for a long time.

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Old 07-17-2014, 10:15 AM
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...and this proves what I wrote earlier...
S&W doesn't recommend it, Smitty357 says he and many others can confirm it works, BUT if S&W isn't selling JUST the barrels...
WHAT DOES IT MATTER??

Plus... Once Storm Lake, or some other company gets around to making conversion barrels, they will be made to fit the .40 slide perfectly, so safety and/or functionality won't be an issue.
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Old 07-17-2014, 12:24 PM
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The problem lies with the patinants on the Shield. Until those patinants are released from s&w. Noone can make their own barrels and sell them. This is why u haven't seen any after market companies like SL make any. If they could do so without lawsuit issues, then I'm sure they would. But I don't see it happening until the next new thing comes around. My 2 cents
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Old 07-17-2014, 11:45 PM
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There doesn't seem to be anything new and unique about a Shield barrel that would make it patentable. Anybody know info to the contrary?
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Old 07-18-2014, 12:05 AM
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would like to know if a m&p compact barrel would fit a shield ?Anyone out there have both . the shield barrel seems to be less than an inch shorter.
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Old 07-18-2014, 09:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smitty357 View Post
The problem lies with the patinants on the Shield. Until those patinants are released from s&w. Noone can make their own barrels and sell them. This is why u haven't seen any after market companies like SL make any. If they could do so without lawsuit issues, then I'm sure they would. But I don't see it happening until the next new thing comes around. My 2 cents
What's a "patinant"??
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Old 07-18-2014, 10:09 AM
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Maybe I'm using the wrong word. But what I'm trying to get at is that no one can make the barrels because a lawsuit will be involved.....don't believe me, make a few barrels urself and sell them lol. With everyone wanting these 9mm barrels. There must be a reason SL hasn't made the barrels. We all know the market is there for them. You think they aren't making them just to not make them and lose out on all that money.

Maybe proprietary is a better term....U ever wonder why no one makes after market barrels for the m&p 15-22?

Last edited by Smitty357; 07-18-2014 at 10:14 AM.
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Old 07-18-2014, 10:13 AM
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I think he meant patents.

But Apex makes a kit for the Shield. The whole M&P line hasn't been out long enough for any patents to expire.
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Old 07-18-2014, 11:22 AM
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That's what I was wondering... Why would there be a patent on the barrel, but not the trigger components?
Not saying the patent claim is bs, but why one part and not the other popular aftermarket part?
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Old 07-18-2014, 11:55 AM
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Well, I cannot imagine making a modification to a firearm that a reputable company like S&W says not to make.

Further, at least in California if you are using the Shield for CCW in some or perhaps most counties it is not permitted to modify the gun in this fashion under the terms of the CCW license.

Come on guys. The guns are not that expensive. If you want two calibers, do it the way S&W says and buy two guns. Just sayin...
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Old 07-18-2014, 12:16 PM
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Wasn't there something awhile back between s&w and some company making aftermarket mags for the 15-22. I forget what all of that is or was about. But I guess maybe we could reference the shield barrels to that situation.

Maybe the barrel was the easiest and cheapest to patent since it's only 1 piece as opposed to the trigger components. Just my guess. And of course the barrel is just as important. Because without a barrel. U may as well have a paper weight.

Last edited by Smitty357; 07-18-2014 at 12:20 PM.
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Old 07-18-2014, 01:55 PM
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I doubt it has to do with patents.

It has to do with simple economics.

Aftermarket barrel makers are having a hard time keeping up with demand for their current product lines. They make the barrels on the same machines that they would make any new line on. So if you can't keep up with current demand, then adding product lines that you won't be able to keep up with either makes no sense.

Ever notice how pissed off people got when they couldn't get M&P mags? That's what you do to your customer base when you can't keep up with production. Pissing off more people by expanding your product line without being able to expand production to meet it is a bad idea. Expanding production is costly every way from Sunday. The best plan is to produce their product line and satisfy the customers they have. Once the market stabilizes (and it always does), then add new products that you can support.

S&W may be in a similar situation with production. They have to use the same production capacity to make other barrels. Those production runs are based on all sorts of logistics issues, but in the end they run what they need and then run other model production. Running extra 9mm Shield barrels may not be in the cards with their production schedule. It's much easier to simply not sell the barrels they can't make anyway.

S&W isn't in the business of competing with itself. Buying a 9mm shield would be the preferred customer solution for them. Vast majority of Shield owners simply buy the gun in the caliber they want and have no intention of needing to swap. Those that want a different caliber are likely to buy a new Shield in the other caliber.

As Shield production begins to meet demand, availability and price issues aren't as important. We see this today, where you can get a Shield easily for under $400, when they were hen's teeth in recent memory.

All that drives down the actual demand for a conversion barrel.

Lastly, you can't trust people on the internet to actually buy something they say they want.
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Old 07-18-2014, 03:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross3914 View Post
I doubt it has to do with patents.

It has to do with simple economics.

Aftermarket barrel makers are having a hard time keeping up with demand for their current product lines. They make the barrels on the same machines that they would make any new line on. So if you can't keep up with current demand, then adding product lines that you won't be able to keep up with either makes no sense.

Ever notice how pissed off people got when they couldn't get M&P mags? That's what you do to your customer base when you can't keep up with production. Pissing off more people by expanding your product line without being able to expand production to meet it is a bad idea. Expanding production is costly every way from Sunday. The best plan is to produce their product line and satisfy the customers they have. Once the market stabilizes (and it always does), then add new products that you can support.

S&W may be in a similar situation with production. They have to use the same production capacity to make other barrels. Those production runs are based on all sorts of logistics issues, but in the end they run what they need and then run other model production. Running extra 9mm Shield barrels may not be in the cards with their production schedule. It's much easier to simply not sell the barrels they can't make anyway.

S&W isn't in the business of competing with itself. Buying a 9mm shield would be the preferred customer solution for them. Vast majority of Shield owners simply buy the gun in the caliber they want and have no intention of needing to swap. Those that want a different caliber are likely to buy a new Shield in the other caliber.

As Shield production begins to meet demand, availability and price issues aren't as important. We see this today, where you can get a Shield easily for under $400, when they were hen's teeth in recent memory.

All that drives down the actual demand for a conversion barrel.

Lastly, you can't trust people on the internet to actually buy something they say they want.
Many people are only buying the 40 because they thought they had an option to shoot both calibers. Having the option to shoot more than 1 caliber is a plus. I was on the fence between a Kahr or the Shield, and the fact that I thought I could shoot both calibers is what pushed me into buying a shield especially in 40 mm.

"It's only $400", but sorry, not everyone has $400 laying around. I had to sell another firearm to have the money to buy the Shield and so I could justify it to my wife. S&W isn't losing losing money. They would have made a profit from the sale of their barrels. Most people are going to trade or sell their Shields to buy the caliber they wanted which may or may not be another S&W handgun.

Even if I sell my 40, and buy a 9mm shield, s&w only sold 2 guns. If I keep my 40, and the guy that wanted one has no other option but to buy a new one, s&w still only sold 2 guns. What's the difference?

If I do end up selling the 40mm shield, I'm going with a kahr cm45 or cw45, and a bad taste in my mouth about s&w firearms.

Last edited by Well Armed; 07-18-2014 at 03:21 PM.
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Old 07-18-2014, 03:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross3914 View Post
I doubt it has to do with patents.

It has to do with simple economics.

Aftermarket barrel makers are having a hard time keeping up with demand for their current product lines. They make the barrels on the same machines that they would make any new line on. So if you can't keep up with current demand, then adding product lines that you won't be able to keep up with either makes no sense...


That's exactly what I stated in post #5. "I contacted all the companies that make S&W M&P aftermarket pistol barrels about Shield 40-9 conversion barrels. One responded that they plan to offer them in the future, but need to be able to keep up with demand on current products first."
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Old 07-18-2014, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post

If I do end up selling the 40mm shield, I'm going with a kahr cm45 or cw45, and a bad taste in my mouth about s&w firearms.
May I ask, why the bad taste about S&W firearms? Have you had a lot of trouble with your S&W guns?
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Old 07-18-2014, 04:15 PM
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May I ask, why the bad taste about S&W firearms? Have you had a lot of trouble with your S&W guns?
Well, I should have said the company, not their firearms. Their only making but so much of a profit off of the Shield sales. They could sell the barrel for the same profit margin and not only make a profit, but to also give someone else a reason to buy a shield 40mm over another competitor's firearm chambered in 40mm and keep their current customers happy...
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Old 07-18-2014, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Ross3914 View Post
S&W may be in a similar situation with production. They have to use the same production capacity to make other barrels. Those production runs are based on all sorts of logistics issues, but in the end they run what they need and then run other model production. Running extra 9mm Shield barrels may not be in the cards with their production schedule. It's much easier to simply not sell the barrels they can't make anyway.
Smith & Wesson: Americans are buying fewer guns

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Originally Posted by Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson posted a weak forecast for one simple reason: Americans are buying fewer guns.
Shares of the gunmaker plunged nearly 10% Friday morning as it dawned on investors that the once high-flying gun industry is coming down to Earth.
So which is it, they're selling so many guns and are so behind that they can't fit in the production of a few extra barrels in (that they would make a profit from just like companies that ONLY sell barrels, triggers, etc are able to make a profit), or are their sales down meaning they're producing less than in the past which means they should have extra left over supply and less production runs than in the past because they are selling less? Both scenario can not be true at the same time.

Last edited by Well Armed; 07-18-2014 at 04:33 PM.
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Old 07-18-2014, 05:25 PM
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Maybe in the age of litigation, its not worth the risk to keep selling the 9mm barrels. IF they are getting jammed up guns back with 9's in 40's, its a no brainer. Remember, even though they fit and do work, they don't quite fit like the 40. Even if they aren't, its financially a no brainer for them as well, because they probably believe that people buy the Shield for a host of other reasons, not for its crossover capabilities. I believe this as well. I wouldn't mind being able to shoot 9 in my 40, but its not the end of the world, and I sure wont hold it against S&W, cuz I wouldn't use the factory barrel anyway.
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Old 07-18-2014, 07:23 PM
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If Smith & Wesson never marketed the Shield .40 as a convertible gun, they have absolutely no obligation to provide the parts to make it so. It seems to me that a lot of people are mad because they took a gamble buying the .40 because they thought they could get 2 guns for the price of one. For the most part, there isn't anything wrong with that. But, it was a gamble based on something being done to the gun that wasn't supposed to be done. So, if you are going to get pissed off, get pissed off at yourself and not at Smith & Wesson for not providing 9 mm barrels for your .40 conversions. If you were able to do it...good for you. If you can still find a way to do it, again, good for you. However, if you bought the gun just to be able to do it, and now can't, whose fault is that? It also seems that with as many threads about this as there are, that a little research would show that although the conversions work well, the barrels are hard to come by so buying the .40 without 9mm barrels available might not be a good idea if conversion is what you want.
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Old 07-18-2014, 08:06 PM
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If Smith & Wesson never marketed the Shield .40 as a convertible gun, they have absolutely no obligation to provide the parts to make it so. It seems to me that a lot of people are mad because they took a gamble buying the .40 because they thought they could get 2 guns for the price of one. For the most part, there isn't anything wrong with that. But, it was a gamble based on something being done to the gun that wasn't supposed to be done. So, if you are going to get pissed off, get pissed off at yourself and not at Smith & Wesson for not providing 9 mm barrels for your .40 conversions. If you were able to do it...good for you. If you can still find a way to do it, again, good for you. However, if you bought the gun just to be able to do it, and now can't, whose fault is that? It also seems that with as many threads about this as there are, that a little research would show that although the conversions work well, the barrels are hard to come by so buying the .40 without 9mm barrels available might not be a good idea if conversion is what you want.
No, most threads and vids said the barrel was hard to come by, but none stated that s&w refused to sell it ever. s&w actually were selling it until recently. Matter of fact, they did not stop selling them. They want people to send their entire guns to them so they can install the barrel of all things which is asinine whether your doing a conversion or not. Now, is it s&w right to stop selling what ever they want, yes. It's also my right to be upset and complain about it.

Last edited by Well Armed; 07-18-2014 at 08:15 PM.
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Old 07-18-2014, 09:32 PM
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Quote:
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If Smith & Wesson never marketed the Shield .40 as a convertible gun. . . .
Smith & Wesson has NEVER marketed ANY of its M&P models as "convertible" weapons from .40 to 9mm, and the reason is simple.

If true, it is an unfortunate price that the rest of us have to pay (not being able to buy a same-caliber replacement barrel without sending in the pistol), all because an apparently significant number of people fail or refuse to follow the simple instructions of the manufacturer to use only that ammo for which the arm is chambered.

From page 9 of the M&P owner's manual:

"Locate the cartridge designation marked on the firearm. This information indicates the correct ammunition that must be used in this firearm (FIGURE 1). . . . . Never use a cartridge not specifically designated for use in your firearm. The wrong type of ammunition may exceed the capability of your firearm and may damage or even rupture your firearm."
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Old 07-18-2014, 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by shawn mccarver View Post
Smith & Wesson has NEVER marketed ANY of its M&P models as "convertible" weapons from .40 to 9mm, and the reason is simple.

If true, it is an unfortunate price that the rest of us have to pay (not being able to buy a same-caliber replacement barrel without sending in the pistol), all because an apparently significant number of people fail or refuse to follow the simple instructions of the manufacturer to use only that ammo for which the arm is chambered.

From page 9 of the M&P owner's manual:

"Locate the cartridge designation marked on the firearm. This information indicates the correct ammunition that must be used in this firearm (FIGURE 1). . . . . Never use a cartridge not specifically designated for use in your firearm. The wrong type of ammunition may exceed the capability of your firearm and may damage or even rupture your firearm."
What I was saying was they never marketed the Shield as a convertible. It was worded the way I worded it to make the point that because it wasn't, S & W has no reason to provide barrels for conversion in the first place...regardless of their reasoning for not doing so.
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Old 07-18-2014, 11:44 PM
Smitty357 Smitty357 is offline
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Doesn't s&w still sell barrels for other models, such as the compact? Or did they stop selling barrels across all their models?
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Old 07-19-2014, 05:53 AM
Ross3914 Ross3914 is offline
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Smith & Wesson: Americans are buying fewer guns



So which is it, they're selling so many guns and are so behind that they can't fit in the production of a few extra barrels in (that they would make a profit from just like companies that ONLY sell barrels, triggers, etc are able to make a profit), or are their sales down meaning they're producing less than in the past which means they should have extra left over supply and less production runs than in the past because they are selling less? Both scenario can not be true at the same time.
Did you even read the article you posted the link to?

RIFLE sales have dropped and is what's dragging the quarterly numbers down.

The article states that compact and polymer handgun sales are up 30% and S&W is ramping production up for the M&P. M&P's were specifically mentioned in the article as "flying off the shelves" and "retail supplies are running thin."

So yeah, the article states exactly what I was saying. Thanks for backing me up with it.
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  #31  
Old 07-19-2014, 06:03 AM
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It's also my right to be upset and complain about it.
Well bless your heart.
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  #32  
Old 07-19-2014, 06:09 AM
Ross3914 Ross3914 is offline
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Doesn't s&w still sell barrels for other models, such as the compact? Or did they stop selling barrels across all their models?
Midway is "out of stock, no backorder" for 9mm full and compact barrels. Yet they are "out of stock, backorder available" for .40/.357Sig barrels.

I wouldn't really read too much into anything right now based on vendor inventory.

ETA:I have no idea of factory direct availability.

Last edited by Ross3914; 07-19-2014 at 06:11 AM.
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  #33  
Old 07-19-2014, 07:30 AM
Smitty357 Smitty357 is offline
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So I wonder why s&w still sells the barrels of other models to their distributors. But for some reason they no longer sell the shield barrel.

I'm just saying that going by all that we know. There must be a reason behind then not selling the shield barrels in general. They know we can convert other models the same way. But they still sell the barrels for others.
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  #34  
Old 07-21-2014, 05:58 PM
robkarrob robkarrob is offline
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S&W was selling 9mm Shield barrels, late 2012 and early 2013. They would even sell them directly to gun owners, through their store, and the price was $61 and $6.50 for shipping. I know as I inquired after buying a 9mm barrel for about $85, from a small distributor. The part number for the Shield 9mm barrel was 42199. Then S&W suddenly stopped selling them to individuals, stating they were a factory installed part only. I would bet they heard too many people asking for the 9mm "conversion barrel", which they never offered. S&W's position was that 9mm barrels should not be used in 40 S&W pistols, as conversion barrels. Occasionally the 9mm barrels would still show up at a distributor, through mid 2013. Since then it seems no one is selling them, as S&W is not releasing them to any distributors, who would sell them to the public.

I doubt the aftermarket barrel manufacturers are not making Shield barrels, due to patent issues. They could make minor changes to the design, to avoid the patent issue, if needed. The aftermarket manufacturers are still making barrels for the other M&P models. I would think the issue is they don't know if the demand for the 9mm Shield conversion barrels would justify the initial costs to design and manufacture the barrels. Conversion barrels are likely a very small percentage of their business.

Bob

Last edited by robkarrob; 07-21-2014 at 06:25 PM.
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  #35  
Old 07-22-2014, 07:51 PM
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>_< I necro'd a thread when this was here.. my apologies.

Anyway, I too made the inquiry after picking up a 40 shield last Saturday and sure enough, I got the "We don't sell barrels - they're factory installed" response

I can't help but wonder what would happen if someone bought a neglected one second hand with a pitted barrel and wanted to replace it - would they REALLY have to send the whole gun in? What if a gunsmith called asking for a factory replacement barrel on a firearm they're working on? Would they get the same response as well? =/
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  #36  
Old 07-23-2014, 01:36 PM
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>_< I necro'd a thread when this was here.. my apologies.

Anyway, I too made the inquiry after picking up a 40 shield last Saturday and sure enough, I got the "We don't sell barrels - they're factory installed" response

I can't help but wonder what would happen if someone bought a neglected one second hand with a pitted barrel and wanted to replace it - would they REALLY have to send the whole gun in? What if a gunsmith called asking for a factory replacement barrel on a firearm they're working on? Would they get the same response as well? =/
Yup... You'd have to pay to send your entire gun. Then, according to s&w, "an estimate would be sent to you in the mail from the gunsmith and once the estimate is paid", they would simply lay a barrel in your gun and ship it back to you at your cost. Extra time, money, and steps wasted on both ends...

I'll prob. will buy a used 9mm shield from armslist, will mail it to s&w, and then will resale it.

Last edited by Well Armed; 07-23-2014 at 01:46 PM.
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  #37  
Old 07-23-2014, 02:55 PM
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I can't help but wonder what would happen if someone bought a neglected one second hand with a pitted barrel and wanted to replace it - would they REALLY have to send the whole gun in?
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Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
Yup... You'd have to pay to send your entire gun.
I'll prob. will buy a used 9mm shield from armslist, will mail it to s&w, and then will resale it.
If going this route, remember that FFL/LGS owners can ship to the Factory via USPS, for a FRACTION of the cost that we'd have to pay shipping via UPS/FedEx.

Depending on what your LGS would charge, it may be worth your while to have THEM send it in for you.
My LGS only charges me $12 (Priority cost plus a buck or two 'service fee').

Oh yeah... Unless you find someone who's REALLY negligent with their firearms, It could be a few years to find one with a pitted barrel.

Last edited by RobzGuns; 07-23-2014 at 02:57 PM.
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  #38  
Old 07-23-2014, 03:01 PM
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If going this route, remember that FFL/LGS owners can ship to the Factory via USPS, for a FRACTION of the cost that we'd have to pay shipping via UPS/FedEx.

Depending on what your LGS would charge, it may be worth your while to have THEM send it in for you.
My LGS only charges me $12 (Priority cost plus a buck or two 'service fee').

Oh yeah... Unless you find someone who's REALLY negligent with their firearms, It could be a few years to find one with a pitted barrel.
Good to know. I never thought about that.
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  #39  
Old 07-23-2014, 03:06 PM
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My guess would be if they see they are getting a lot of returns on 9mm barrels in .40SW Shields and they have to keep fixing them then the easy way for them to save money is stop selling 9mm barrels.
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  #40  
Old 07-23-2014, 03:16 PM
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My guess would be if they see they are getting a lot of returns on 9mm barrels in .40SW Shields and they have to keep fixing them then the easy way for them to save money is stop selling 9mm barrels.
Who are all these people who are having these problems? The shield has been out for around 2 or so years. The first year, shields were hard to find. The second year, they only sold but so many 9mm barrels to be used in 40mm Shield as people where just then getting there hands on a shield & learning that the 9mm barrel worked in them. In the last several months within that 2 year time frame, they stopped selling the barrels, and I have heard not 1 report from ANY of the FEW that were lucky enough to get a 9mm within that small window of time having any issues at all. Across several forums, blogs, and YouTube videos, everyone has consistently reported successful outcomes...

Last edited by Well Armed; 07-23-2014 at 03:18 PM.
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  #41  
Old 07-23-2014, 10:51 PM
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I gave this some thought last night and I think the solution is rather simple.

Storm Lake makes a 3.58" 9mm "conversion" barrel for the S&W40C's ... that's .48" longer than the Shield. (Why they won't just make them in 3.1" for us Shield owners is beyond me)

I've seen longer barrels installed on glocks - Lone Wolf 9mm barrels for example on Glock 26's without issue. You could port the end if you wanted to, or ...

Why not just ... mill down the barrel and re-crown it? What do ya think an operation like that would run ya?

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  #42  
Old 07-24-2014, 12:57 AM
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I gave this some thought last night and I think the solution is rather simple.

Storm Lake makes a 3.58" 9mm "conversion" barrel for the S&W40C's ... that's .48" longer than the Shield. (Why they won't just make them in 3.1" for us Shield owners is beyond me)

I've seen longer barrels installed on glocks - Lone Wolf 9mm barrels for example on Glock 26's without issue. You could port the end if you wanted to, or ...

Why not just ... mill down the barrel and re-crown it? What do ya think an operation like that would run ya?
IDK, but I wouldn't want to risk my face, fingers, and my shield trying to find out if it'll work or not lol.. I rather others be the test dummies for me.
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  #43  
Old 07-24-2014, 06:37 AM
Smitty357 Smitty357 is offline
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IDK, but I wouldn't want to risk my face, fingers, and my shield trying to find out if it'll work or not lol.. I rather others be the test dummies for me.
Why not? I risked all of that for a few months before I let the world know of the 9mm barrel swap in the shield. Luckily I still have all my fingers, my face, and my Shield. But of course I was 90% positive it was going to work anyways. I just had to make sure it as going to work and them continue to work over and over........Mine still works perfect to this day.
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  #44  
Old 07-24-2014, 11:52 AM
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I think a few measurements are in order. The quality of the barrels isn't the question here, they're all going to be made out of good materials whether it was fitted for a Shield, a Compact, or the full-size. The biggest determining factor here will simply be the measurements of the lock-up's - whether or not they're wider across the board, or taller. I would imagine the slides are wider simply to match the wider frames necessary for the double-stack mags of the compact and full-size, but the barrels would have the same lock-ups and barrel diameters to keep machining costs down - wouldn't you?
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  #45  
Old 07-24-2014, 12:40 PM
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Since I don't have a compact, I can't measure the barrel, but remember the compact slide is not as narrow as the Shield slide. The compact barrels may be slightly wider, where they fit into the slide. The question of using a 9mm Compact barrel in the Shield 40, will have to wait until someone actually tries to see if they can fit into the Shield 40 slide. I will start a new thread, asking that question.


Bob
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Old 07-24-2014, 04:06 PM
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Since I don't have a compact, I can't measure the barrel, but remember the compact slide is not as narrow as the Shield slide. The compact barrels may be slightly wider, where they fit into the slide. The question of using a 9mm Compact barrel in the Shield 40, will have to wait until someone actually tries to see if they can fit into the Shield 40 slide. I will start a new thread, asking that question.


Bob
Saudade had a thread with comparison pics of the different barrels and it became pretty obvious pretty quick that they won't work. The Lock-ups and the undersides of the feed ramp area are completely different sizes, shapes, and in slightly different places between the Shield and the C/FS models
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