This is my first post on the forum. I joined to share my first experience with Smith and Wesson regarding their Product Warranty on a newly purchase Shield 45. With the purchase of this Shield in 45 I own 4 S&W M&P Pistols. I own the full sized 45, Shield in 45, Shield in 9mm, and my wife owns the Bodyguard 38 +P. I have never had any issues with my previously purchased weapons with the exception of the 9mm Shield needing the sights adjusted. I was excited to hear the 45 was offered in the Shield platform since I carry the 9mm Shield as my main carry gun. Great size and feel, its reliable, it has a manual safety, no magazine disconnect, and it has no grip safety. Everything that I personally like and look for in a carry gun. I purchased the Shield in 45 and when I arrived home with my new firearm the first thing I did was prepared to clean it for the first time. Took my box of cleaning supplies out and was ready. The gun looked and felt great in the hand. I locked the slide back and pulled the sear disconnect lever down and it fell out of the gun. The spring was still in place but there is no pin through it. I was so disappointed. I immediately looked online to see if anyone else had these issues. In the past there were posts dating back to 2013 regarding the sear lever falling out and this being impossible as the lever is held in place by a pin that is captive. After researching the issue I did clean the weapon as I felt something "catching" when I racked the slide. I called Smith and Wesson the next day and they promptly send me a shipping label to return the firearm. About the slide, I did notice the slide was a bit "catchy" as it racked to the back. Not a smooth action as with my two other semi automatic M&P pistols. I'm not sure if this is an issue with the recoil spring, striker assembly, or some other issue. All I know is that the slide is not smooth in operation like my other pistols. One other issue was a magazine was stained with something near the logo and another spot further up the magazine. I actually saw this at the gun store before I bought the gun. Figuring I could clean it off when I got the gun home I dismissed the spot and purchased the gun. I tried gun oil and cleaning solution but the stain remained. I then used 1000 grit sandpaper and oil. I managed to get one spot to come off completely but the largest spot had actually etched the metal and left two lines where the edge of the spot was. It wasn't deep enough to go through the magazine and it will probably work just fine. It does reflect poorly on my impression of the finished product. I called them today and was told they are backed up and haven't looked at the gun yet. I also asked what they normally do to compensate their customers for issues of this nature. He said he really couldn't do anything but he might be able to send me a tee shirt. I explained to him that I intended to share my experience with others regarding the service process and needing to send a brand new Shield 45 back for service which involved poor manufacturing. He then said he would need to talk to a manager and would call me back later. I never received a call back from Chris at customer service. So that's where I am at right now

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Sorry to hear about the problems that you are having. I also have several M&P's I have never had a problem with any of them.
I am not knocking you but the only thing really that you have to complain about is that the gun was not functioning properly from purchase and they are delayed due to being backed up. Other than those two things if you get you're pistol back in a reasonable time than you should have nothing else to expect. If they offered me a T-Shirt I would have been fine with that. They may surprise you and send an extra magazine back with it. But I would not expect that. I would expect a returnee pistol in good working condition.

Sorry to hear. Did you not look the gun over, or rack the slide before purchasing? I would think if you did you would have noticed the slide issue. As far as the discoloration issues, sounds like you noticed them. Maybe you should have asked for another gun.

I love how people nowadays feel they should be compensated as soon as there is an issue, then make threats that they are going to post their experience on a public forum.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I damaged the Striker Guide on my Shield (melted it baking Cerakote) Sent it in, came back yesterday. It was only 9 calendar days, they sent me a paid FedEx shipping label, sent it back to me FedEx paid. Repair free, shipping free. Now I know why I like S&W. I'm sure some folks may have had nightmares with them, but at this point I'm a fan. Only have 3, a .38, an old 39-2, and the Shield. So far, so good!!

Some thoughts.

The sear housing block (SHB assembly) pin that holds the sear disconnect lever & spring (and mag safety, if that option is present) isn't under any particular tension, and it can slip out of the block if the block is outside the frame.

If the assembled SHB's are sitting in a bin, jumbled, it's possible for the pins to slip out. I noticed this during one of my armorer classes, when some of the SHB's in a parts bin had lost theirs, and the loose pins were in the bottom of the bin section.

Obviously, production people assembling the guns (and any armorers replacing a SHB) ought to visually check that both pins (and other parts, of course) are present in the SHB's as they're installed in guns.

Larger slides, especially in pistols that use single spring recoil spring assemblies, can have smoother manual slide retraction than smaller guns, and especially smaller guns that may use double recoil spring assemblies. In pistols with nested double springs that ride over each other (meaning without separate sized tubes to hold the individual springs apart), it's not uncommon to feel the spring coils ride over each other as they compress, especially when brand new, but that's because it's being done at slow "manual speed", and not full-speed live-fire. It ought to feel different as everything "wears" in and becomes smoother and less stiff, so to speak.

Discoloration of magazine bodies can occur for a few reasons. In the days of the older "plain" stainless finish magazine bodies (passivated stainless surfaces) could come with darkened, dull or discolored spots. The newer corrosion resistant finishes and treatments can also have their own blemishes. The Teflon treatment applied to the regular M&P 45 mag bodies can really appear mottled, but they addressed an issue of being susceptible to oxidation for the earlier black finish mags.

FWIW, last I heard, in the regular M&P pistols the 9/.40 mag bodies come from Europe, and the .45 mag bodies are made in the US. I haven't asked about the Shield mags. I'd imagine the treatment and "finishes" are going to vary a little, depending on which vendor is making the mag body.

Personally, I'd not have even bothered with trying to remove a finish/metal treatment blemish on a mag body, as I've seen so many of them over the years that I tend to ignore the cosmetic issues. When they sit (assembled) in crates or bins of dozens or hundreds (or more, for shipping), they may acquire rub marks or little nicks or other blemishes, too. The bulk shipment and pasts storage exposes them to this sort of thing. The ones packaged for individual commercial display/sales offers some protection (once packaged). Besides, after a little normal use the finishes of most pistol mags are going to exhibit other cosmetic wear & tear.

If you complain about the mag, the note might make it to the repair tech, who might include a new mag in the box when the repaired gun is returned. (If your accompanying letter mentioned the mag.)

The people who answer the customer service phones are many and varied. I've been told that on an average day there might be anywhere from 18-35 people in the CS phone bank area. They may be new-hires, or someone who has only worked the retail store, selling apparel and other things (and may never have held a firearm) ... or someone who's been with the company for many years, doing any number of things, including building guns, but who is now enjoying just answering phones.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about your problem. I bought a new Shield 9mm when they first came out and the chamber was under-sized by about .002" and would not reliably feed certain ammo. It was returned and the barrel replaced, turn around time was about 4 weeks.

Since then I have purchased all of my new guns through Davidson's Gallery of Guns. They offer a lifetime replacement guarentee on all guns purchased through their website. About 4 years ago I purchased a Rossi 92 in .357. It would feed 38spl with no problem, but using .357's it would jam. I gave them a call, described the problem, and they exchanged my rifle with absolutely no hassle 2 days later. Made me their customer forever.

Update,

I received a message from Chris at Customer Service while at work today. In his message he indicated he was given the ok to give me free magazines (not sure how many that is) and to call him back when I am available. My wife owned a Sig P238 that jammed often. We called Sig and they requested we send the gun back to them. They inspected the gun, fired it, and did a feed ramp polish. We never asked for anything and they immediately offered to do these things. We did end up selling it for the S&W Bodyguard 38 as it continued to jam however the attempt to compensate us for our trouble with the product went a long way in my book. I will ask him to replace the discolored magazine but I am not looking for anything free. Since the gun is back at Smith and Wesson I would prefer the M&P Pistol Action Package. I will pay for it if need be but if they would like to give me a discount I would appreciate that very much. This would accomplish several things in my book. The gun would go to someone that really knows guns and when it leaves the performance center I will feel much better about the firearm. It actually saves them money as a polished feed ramp and performance sear will cost them less than a couple of magazines. Also they are backordered on these magazine trying to keep up and supply them with new firearms. And finally if this was their standard procedure for new weapons with parts missing to come back and go to the performance center then perhaps they could keep track of this type of problem more closely. If the performance center would be overwhelmed and gets too many for them to handle then maybe that should tell them something. I don't have any problem buying magazines, I own 10 for my Shield in 9mm, 5 high capacity for my full sized 45, 2 10 round for the full sized 45. I hope this will be viewed by those in the Smith and Wesson company that have the Authority to implement a more personalized customer care experience for certain situations. I also hope it helps anyone else that finds themselves in the same situation. I will keep you posted.

Sorry to hear about the issues with your new pistol. I have owned an M&P9c, an M&P40c, currently own a full size M&P 45, and have a Shield 45 on order. I never had an issue with any M&P and the only reason I no longer own the 9 and 40 is that I wanted 45s and did some horse trading. I'm sure S&W will take good care of you.

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Jim

Just read this on another post from Duster42

Two weeks ago I brought home my new Shield .45 and went to disassemble for cleaning it before going to the range.I removed the mag and racked the slide back and the sear deactivation lever fell out. I went to remove the slide and that could not be removed.
Called S&W CS and sent my NEW Shield back to them the next day. Still waiting for Return. I have two other Shield's that are trouble free.


Can't believe they are putting out weapons in this fashion.

picked mine up today, Examined it at the shop took is down all was fine. Took apart the 7 round magazine I'll never do that again. But the gun was in tact, I;ll shoot it tomorrow I'd like to put 200 + rounds of federal 230 ball, Followed by at least 100 rounds of Winchester SXT 230 +P. Thants my plan anyway

No offense, but this is the reason why I will not buy a new model gun until after the bugs have been worked out. WE have become the test and evaluation experts for too many gun companies.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I don't usually feel the need to inspect a weapon in that much detail when purchasing a weapon. For example, I purchased a LE6920 OEM2 the other day and didn't even open the box before leaving the store. I am that confident in the product. I have felt this way in the past about S&W but I am afraid my confidence in their product is wavering. They need to snip this one in the butt before things get out of control.

Please take my word for it and inspect every gun you plan on buying. Several of the complaints on this very forum could have been avoided if the buyer inspected before buying/accepting a gun.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Sorry to hear about your issues with the 45. I owned a S&W Shield 40 which I did not like and traded it in for the 9mm. I prefer my Glock 23 in the 40 cal. The 9mm has been perfect. I also own a LE6920. You are going to really enjoy the hell out of that. The Vortex Strikefire 2 really makes it fun to shoot.
Good luck with the 45

I also own the 9mm and I really like the gun in most every way. I own two LE 6920's, the OEM2 is the second Colt rifle. I wanted to run a low profile gas block with a Troy free float rail. The first LE6920 has the standard front sight gas block. I could have co-witnessed but I wanted a clear unobstructed field of view through a scope, probably an ACOG. I have heard good things about the Vortex Strikefire 2. I have been looking at this optic........ Trijicon MRO 2-MOA Mini Rifle Optic w/ LaRue QD Mount. I also might just go with good old Aimpoint M4s. The Vortex has a nice price. Thanks for the suggestion.

Update,

I received my Shield 45 back today. They did not send the gun to the performance center as I had asked and they did not replace the 6 round magazine that had been damaged by some unknown solution that etched the magazine body. They did however send an additional 7 round magazine that I had told them I did not request or want. They "replaced" the sear lever instead of installing the original purchased with the gun and sent it back in a bag. They checked the function and shot my gun for me at the factory. I'm happy it is functional but not at all happy with my service experience. I asked for three things. The sear lever installed properly, send the gun to the performance center for an action package since the gun is already there, and finally replace the 6 round magazine. They only managed to do one of three and on top of that they gave me a magazine I specifically told them I didn't want. I'm not sure if I will follow up on this matter as they seem unable to follow simple instructions at S&W.

Another update,

I decided to call S&W back regarding my service. I really wanted to know why I had not received the service I had requested. Specifically the 6 round magazine that I asked to have replaced. I also wanted to know why the gun wasn't sent to the performance center per my request. I was told that the performance center is backed up to the tune of 4 months and they didn't want my gun held up for that long for me. I did say I wasn't in a hurry and to take their time but now I am kind of glad that it wasn't stuck in line for that long. I was also told to send the magazine back to them once again and that they would replace the 6 rounder with a new one (which I had already purchased a replacement for the damaged one purchased with the gun). Apparently they have a specific person taking care of the magazines and they didn't get to inspect the magazine housing when I had sent it in with the gun. I do want to say when I call they are always courteous, polite, and patient to answer all of my questions.

If you want a better trigger, look into an Apex Tactical kit
either the carry kit or complete kit with aluminum trigger.

S&W charges $120 for their "Action Tune" and it will never
feel as good as an Apex kit in the end.

I know, because I have a FSS Flat trigger kit in my FS M&P9 4.25"
and 2 Pro Series PC trigger guns.

First time shoot. Extremely accurate and a joy to shoot. Shot over 100 rounds including some Civil Defense and never had an issue. My wife shot many of those rounds and had no issue with her "limp wristing" the gun. I'm very happy with the gun as it functioned without issue and was accurate. Here is the first magazine at 7 yards, first shot being a bulls eye.

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Kanewpadle's suggestion is worth repeating.

I carefully inspect and field strip every new pistol I am about to buy right at the gun counter and have never had any sales clerk question that. If they are an experienced firearms sales person, they automatically understand the need to carefully inspect new products just as much as pre-owned.

Given the quantities of firearms being manufactured, especially a pistol like the Shield, which is being manufactured in huge numbers, and given how competitive the firearms industry is, and quite frankly you never know what the pistol was subjected to after it left the factory-at the distributor-at the dealer - did it get into a customers hands and returned, etc, unfortunately the consumer has to do his/her own final inspection QC. I had a shop clerk back east tell me once that one of the store employees would take pistols out of the display case to the range to try them out, and they saw nothing wrong with that, I think that is the exception not the rule, but yet again another reason to inspect.

And, as another forum member recommended, I try to use Davidson's as much as possible, can not do better than their guarantee, you typically get an excellent price, and the local small shops like doing business through them.

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DAV Life Member

I'm not sold on the Shields yet, they don't seem to be built to the same standard as a regular M&P.

Just pulled my M&P PRO SERIES 40 CORE, to see if it appeared to be built with higher standards than my Shield 9mm or 45 ACP. I didn't see it. Of course, there could be more precision in triggers, but overall, I certainly don't see cheaper or less quality standards with the Shields.

I don't use Davidson's (Gun Genie) for S&W, Ruger, and Springfield guns. These companies have excellent warranties on their own, and they pay for shipping. If you have to return a gun to Davidson's for replacement or repair, you have to pay the shipping. (Actually, you take it back to the gun shop, and pay their rate for shipping, which isn't nearly as much as FedEx or UPS.) The only way I would buy a gun that didn't have a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service is through Davidson's.

I have yet to shoot my new 45 Shield as I have a very hard time to initially rack the slide back to chamber a round. It has a tendency to hang up as I try to pull the slide back and to takes way too much force to perform this activity. Nothing like any of my other many semiautomatics. Seems like the slide might be catching/rubbing on the shells in the mag as the slide moves to the rear.

When I bought the gun the slide move as it should, but when I load the mag at home, that's when there is so much resistance moving the slide back to put a shell in the breach. I have not fired the gun yet as I am not comfortable the way the slide is funcoining when loaded. Will be calling S&W tomorrow. Anyone else have an issue like this?

The Shield does in fact, rub the slide across the shell. You'll feel it, and possibly see some brass on the machine marks. It has strong springs, but I haven't felt it's too much to rack.

Light slide, strong springs. It's physics

Thanks for your comments. Headed out tomorrow to put some holes in some targets.

My Shield 45 has same issue. With a loaded mag. It was nearly impossible to rack to load a round. If I locked the slide open then insert loaded mag. It would load a round fine. The Shield fires fine. Love the feel.

Called SW and shipped it to them about 4 weeks later got my tracking notice it was one it's way home. Called again to see what they found. Notes were "fires fine nothing found". I already knew it fired correctly. It was a racking issue. Was told to clean it when I received it back. Of course. And try it out.

I only have 2 issues with my service. If they couldn't find a problem they could have called me before sending it back. Maybe I could have explained it better on the phone compared to a note. And, be a little friendlier when I call. We all get busy.

Rough start for the OP. I've had my 45 Shield for 2 months and 650 rounds, now, and it has been fantastic (and the price, unbeatable). New guns, especially very small new guns, can be tight and even feel a little rough when hand cycling. A little range time takes care of these "issues" most of the time.

I agree completely. I own all 3 Shields and an M&p 9. My Shield 40 was as you say "a little rough when hand cycling" but turned out to be a wonderful addition. I've run roughly 300 rounds through my Shield 45. After about 200 rounds I tried cleaning it again to see if that would help. At take down we notice alot of brass shavings. Looking at a few spent shells you could see noticeable marks. Like a rough file was taken to them. Completely ruining them for reload. On the slide where it slides along the next round the machine work is very rough unlike my other m&p.

I love all my m&p's. And I'm sure this will be taken care of

I have also noticed the rough machining in the slide. My 9mil shield has a much smoother machined surface doesn't mar the next shell. The rough surface leaves metal filings from the next shell being chambered. And it does mess up any reloading.

I may take it to my local gun shop/smith and have them run it through the slide's cycle. If they feel I'm not just imagining things, I'll see if I can get S&W to let me rerun it for adjustment.

I really appreciate everyone's input on my issue.

Quick update. Went to the range Monday and ran about 200 rounds through the 45 Shield and it functioned very good. I had no problems with the slide. Was initially stiff as I indicated earlier, but the function of the slide loosened up as you responders stated earlier.

Very happy with this gun and look forward to using it at the range and as one of my carry weapons. Thanks again to all.

I polished the slide ramp and mine is smoother to rack. Also added Ameriglo sights and ordered the Apex trigger & kit.



I like my .45 Shield and alternate edc with my 9mm Shield using the same holster.

The serrations on the bottom of the stripper bolt are to help keep the next bullet in the magazine from sliding forward under recoil.

I purchased the .45 shield and am having same issue. Fires great but will not chamber a round with any more than 2 or 3 rounds in the magazine and sometimes not even then. When I do get a round chambered it functions great and is very accurate. Looks like I will be calling S&W Monday. I was curious how yours functions now that you got it back or did you have to call again and send it back? Thank you.

Great thread. I was interested in the Shield in .45acp, however this thread has changed my mind. I'll wait until I no longer read about S&W initial and service concerns with this model. That may be some time, as from what I have been reading, manufacturers are selling everything they produce and that means plenty of guns flying out their doors.

Don't even think about flaming this thread. The original thread was criticized, "because the only thing really that you have to complain about is that the gun was not functioning properly from purchase and they are delayed due to being backed up. Other than those two things if you get you're pistol back in a reasonable time than you should have nothing else to expect. the weapon did not function properly from the purchase." Seems like good reasons to me. I think he has the right to expect that the firearm function properly.

I have had quality control issues with a new S&W revolver recently and the repair was not completed in a stellar manner. I decided to live with the weapon and handle the problem myself.

I think this is one reason why so many lust after or miss the 'older' S&W models. It's not necessarily that the new ones with locks are poorly designed, it's more likely that the QC and service is not what it once was.

I have not had any experience with S&W regarding repair issues, but I hope that your issue is a rare one and not the norm. Thanks for letting us know of the issue you experienced.

I shot a similar target grouping with my Shield 9 first time to the range. Many hundreds of rounds later, no complaints. Carry it almost every day.

Enjoy!!

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Loving retirement!

I'm sending mine back to S&W because the mags keep disengaging even when shooting on-handed. CS said it looked like a slide stop issue. We'll see when I get it back. May end up selling it if it doesn't work out.

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Shield 45

I am looking at my 7 and 6 round magazine and the bodies are the same. Can't you just swap the bodies and avoid sending back the magazine?

Well had an issue with my 45 Shield as well.

Would not take another round with two rounds like in the magazine and it would also release the magazine.

Call S&W, they said send in all your magazines, they sent me all new magazines.

So back to the range I go to see if the magazines were the issue.

I agree wholeheartedly! Except when I bought my Shield .45 at Cabela's the 19th I looked at the pistol, took the slide off, looked at all components, tried the trigger, etc. Said I'll take it. Next thing I know he goes in the back and brings out a whole different pistol than the one I was looking over. Of course brand new, but I never got it until all the paperwork was finished.

It was kind of a gritty trigger and the internals seem a bit "cheap" but it seems to work fine and does a very good job at 21 feet. Definitely a little hand full!

I did not really cotton to that much of an aggressive stippling, so I used an emery board and softened it just a touch.

Polished the "tab" that pushes the striker safety up and out of the way for firing, and that smoothed out the trigger quite a bit. Plus a lot of working of that plunger *up and down* helped to wear in any after-machining burrs.

I was a bit taken by the poor milling of the ridge that the bullets slide across when the slide moves. Looks like someone did not either get a sharp tool and or did not set the control up right for the milling job.

I'll post pictures.....

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Vern

Smith & Wesson would do well to emulate Sig Sauer magazines. They are pretty top notch. Even my Taurus Millennium G2 has exceptionally well made magazines. These magazines look like they were made for something like the Hi-Point or some other off wall breed.

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Vern

I had the same problems. Brand new and sent it back to S&W, they still have it, but it has only been two weeks. Pretty bad purchasing a new weapon and couldn't even clean it let alone fire it!

I posted this in another thread- but thought I should share here- For those who are still having mag dropping issues with your shield 45's...

I called S&W last week- and the sent me newly designed followers to install in the mags. The new ones have a channel cut down the length of the corner edge, to prevent the followers from making contact with the metal magazine retaining nub in the mag release assembly. I think this is what my problem has been- the follower hitting the metal nub that holds the magazine in place.

I have not had a chance to go to range yet- but I am hoping this is was my problem- since the mags were dropping about 1/2 though the mag when the follower would be passing by that metal tab holding the mag in place.

The arrow in the pic points to the channel in the new follower, old follower in back does not have the cut.

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Couldnt agree with you more.I picked up 3 more the other day for a total of 4. They all run like Swiss Watches.

@OP....My toys work....Im sorry yours dont. There is obviously some issue with yours but your initial postings dont allow us to help you. Lotsa good cats here who can help.

DISCLAIMER: I clean and lube, including mags. The 45 mags were brutally tight for about 75-100 rounds but they loosened up quickly and nicely with some help from MagLuLa, CLP, and sitting overnight fully loaded. Total of 730 rounds at this point with -0- failures. (attributable to the guns)

Plan"B"....Send em back to the "mothership"

Just thought I'd give an update.
I now have several hundred rounds through my Shield 45 along with several cleanings. I really enjoy this Shield 45. Very accurate. One of my favorites. I've had no issues with the mags or misfires. Racking is still a little rough but seems to be alot better

I did not like the rough racking and used a polishing wheel on my Dremel to smooth out the surface somewhat. Still functions perfectly, no issues. Your Mileage May Vary. Not saying you should do that but I did and had no ill effect but achieved a much smoother racking action.

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Vern

So S&W fixed the firearm and sent a $20+ magazine wth it and you are complaining?

Who cares if the magazine has a blemish, it will develop many blemishes as you use it. What matters is if it works reliably and every time

I had the same machining marks on my slide. I very carefully ground them off and the slide works much better.

before


after


I was told that they are there to slow the slide but I find this hard to believe since there are better ways to accomplish this.