Reports of M&P Shield 9mm problems magnified by Forum reports?

[Frank121]

I am in no way saying the posters do not have legitimate issues with their M&P's, but is the overall quality of the M&P 9mm Shields better than the image one would get by reading the Forum reports?

Getting a new Shield for $234 shipped after rebate sounds like a great deal, but not if the problems reported on this forum are as prevalent percentage wise as among the total guns produced.

Thanks,

Frank

[BigDog48]

People with problems post. The other million of us with no problems don't

[coachray]

BigDog48 has a point. My shield has been perfect.

[Bozz10mm]

Originally Posted by Frank121

is the overall quality of the M&P 9mm Shields better than the image one would get by reading the Forum reports?

Yes. Shield sales hit the one million mark around the middle of last year. Compare that to the number of complaints you have seen.

[RobzGuns]

Yup... Over a Million sold and if you divided that by the number of Legitimate complaints, it comes to less than 0.1% (1/10th of 1 %)

Plus...
Consider that those few who do have problems are going to post on every gun Forum they can find... Then, of course, you have those that had the same problem, posting their 'Me Too' post on all of those threads (to all the Forums), which gives the illusion that there's an epidemic of Shields (or fill in the name of ANY model being complained about) having this problem.

A great example... The RSA problem of a few Years ago. I believe someone scanned the Forums to find all the RSA threads, weeded out the Duplicate threads posted to multiple Forums, weeded out the 'Me Too' posts and found that there were in fact only a few Dozen (different) owners who actually had the problem, but it caused such a 'Chicken Little' effect, that S&W CS couldn't supply RSAs for the flood of requests from those who felt they needed a spare **Just In Case**.

Ain't the InterWebz wonderful??

[swsig]

Originally Posted by RobzGuns

...
Consider that those few who do have problems are going to post on every gun Forum they can find... Then, of course, you have those that had the same problem, posting their 'Me Too' post on all of those threads (to all the Forums), which gives the illusion that there's an epidemic of Shields (or fill in the name of ANY model being complained about) having this problem.

A great example... The RSA problem of a few Years ago. I believe someone scanned the Forums to find all the RSA threads, weeded out the Duplicate threads posted to multiple Forums, weeded out the 'Me Too' posts and found that there were in fact only a few Dozen (different) owners who actually had the problem, but it caused such a 'Chicken Little' effect, that S&W CS couldn't supply RSAs for the flood of requests from those who felt they needed a spare **Just In Case**...

Hey, I resemble that remark! I'm a excellent example of what RobzGuns is referring to. I had RSA problems with my Shield 9, and I started a thread ranting about the bizarre experience I had trying to get a replacement. (In retrospect, it was sort of amusing.) You can see that thread here:
Shield RSA one more time

In contrast, a few months before that, I had purchased an M&P 40 compact that turned out to be absolutely perfect. Did I start a thread stating, "Hey, I have a new M&P 40 compact that is absolutely perfect!"? I did not, so there's no thread to see here.

Problems motivate people to complain more than perfection motivates people to to praise. That includes me.

[CB3]

Then there are all the posts that mistakenly blame the gun for operator errors.

[hoc9sw]

I had valid issues, and they fixed them. My Shield 9 is now an EDC.

[Tyrod]

Then there's the bit about an anonymous forum where some folks may not be who or what they seem. From my few years on this forum I've witnessed what I believe are shills from S&W competitors just trying to stir up trouble. Shills from aftermarket companies that are trying to drum up business and stiffle complains about the companies they represent. Also S&W fan boys that believe S&W walks on water and all problems originate with a poor user.

Ok, flame me all you want. I have pretty thick skin.

[retiredbadge8091]

My .40 Shield has been a gem. It has never failed me at the range and I've qualified at my department's retired LEO CCW Shoot with it for the past three years. Of course, I'm as guilty as anyone else and have a RSA sitting in my safe. It's been there gathering dust for four years. I'm saving to buy a .45 Shield with the rebate right now.

(Note: The reason I have a single stack Shield is because of the internet waxing that the Beretta Nano took. Maybe that was undeserved, maybe not.)

[Rastoff]

Yes, the internet forums do indeed amplify issues beyond reality. 20 years ago if a gun had the same number of issues, it wouldn't be noticed.

Actually, S&W produced the millionth Shield somewhere in the last quarter of 2015. If sales have held steady, the introduction of the 45 almost guarantees that, they're somewhere around 1.2 million units produced by now. That's a lot of guns and probably more, quicker, than any brand/model in history.

Yeah, it's gonna have an issue from time to time. S&W has fixed them all for free including shipping. Can't really ask more than that considering the vast majority, 99.9% have no issues and function fantastically.

Originally Posted by retiredbadge8091

(Note: The reason I have a single stack Shield is because of the internet waxing that the Beretta Nano took. Maybe that was undeserved, maybe not.)

In this case it was deserved. The Nano really isn't a very good gun.

[dben002]

[QUOTE=Tyrod;139537489]Then there's the bit about an anonymous forum where some folks may not be who or what they seem. From my few years on this forum I've witnessed what I believe are shills from S&W competitors just trying to stir up trouble. Shills from aftermarket companies that are trying to drum up business and stiffle complains about the companies they represent. Also S&W fan boys that believe S&W walks on water and all problems originate with a poor user.

Ok, flame me all you want. I have pretty thick skin.[/QUOTE

No flames here....more of that happening than a lot of people realize.

[Frank121]

I ordered a Shield 9mm this morning. $234 shipped after rebate was just too tempting to resist.

[okiegtrider]

Originally Posted by Frank121

I ordered a Shield 9mm this morning. $234 shipped after rebate was just too tempting to resist.

And every reason in the world to believe that yours will be reliable. Lots of us out here had zero issues with our Shields.

[mattwings]

I think most guns are pretty reliable. I had a Ruger SR45 that had a couple of problems. Ruger resolved them and was very responsive. Both my Shields, so far have not only been reliable, but eat eveeything I feed them. The Forums definetly magnify any real or percieved problems.

[yep380]

If you search on "insert gun make/model/caliber" problems, you're going to turn up issues. You can't have a million pistols out there and not have some that have issues.

The people that DO have issues DO have real issues - don't discount that. The fact that people had similar problems (slides locking back for instance) indicates that there was some kind of manufacturing problem with a subset of the guns produced. Gritty heavy triggers seems to be another common thread. These things do happen.

Also keep something in mind: I know numerous people who have had problems with a gun and done nothing to resolve it. They won't look online, they won't contact the manufacturer, and they won't seek help. They'll just trudge along with their problem gun, and/or put it in their safe and buy a different brand/model down the road.

[carbuff]

“is the overall quality of the M&P 9mm Shields better than the image one would get by reading the Forum reports”

It is my opinion that it is! The Shield 9 is what it is; a small powerful easily concealed weapon for protection at defensive distances.

It is not a sharp shooting pistol for dead-eye accuracy at great distances. It is well-designed, made with durable parts whose fit and finish allow for smooth and precise interface between components. Its accuracy is mostly dependent upon the training and talent of its shooter.

I have owned two 9mm and one .40 Shield. Both of the 9mm have operated without problems. The .40 had initial problems that were resolved with just over 200 rounds sent down range. No parts were impaired or broken. The .40 simply required usage before it performed successfully.

My experience with mechanical failures and broken parts of high-end 1911 pistols, custom made pistols and many other types and calibers convince me that S&W has produced a reliable and inexpensive weapon with its Shield.

As others in this thread have stated, most satisfied users do not broadcast their opinions. On the other hand, those that do have issues, DO complain (mainly to vent frustration or to seek help). The percentage who complain is quite low when assessed against the total number of Shield owners.

The price you indicate is excellent. The Shield at that price is winning purchase.

[bblhd672]

Handgun class this weekend with my Shield 9 PC. About 400 rounds shot, most ever in one day, zero malfunctions.
One of the instructors who had never shot one before and isn't a S&W fan, shot it and declared it is a "must have" for him now.
And, as Carbuff said above, the instructor was able to group very tightly from 7 yards firing as fast as he could. Made it obvious to me that I still cannot shoot as well as the Shield is capable of performing.

[gglass]

[QUOTE=Frank121;139537224]I am in no way saying the posters do not have legitimate issues with their M&P's, but is the overall quality of the M&P 9mm Shields better than the image one would get by reading the Forum reports?

Getting a new Shield for $234 shipped after rebate sounds like a great deal, but not if the problems reported on this forum are as prevalent percentage wise as among the total guns produced.

Can someone do the math on this? Take all the Shield's problem incidents found on this forum and divide it into the picture below, and give me the percentage of issues within the total guns produced.


This picture was taken in 2015, and shows the 1 million milestone since the Shield was introduced in 2012... Not bad for only 3 years of sales. (since this is an old picture, there could be nearly a million more units produced given the Shields year-over-year popularity.)

[dben002]

Originally Posted by gglass

Can someone do the math on this? Take all the Shield's problem incidents found on this forum and divide it into the picture below, and give me the percentage of issues within the total.


This picture was taken in 2015, and shows the 1 million milestone since the Shield was introduced in 2012... Not bad for only 3 years of sales.

By the end of June 2017 that number is forecast to exceed 2,000,000 and the data to date based on 1,000,000 sales the reported "real problems" is 0.01%. That's 1/10 of one percent...do the math....about 1,000 legit problems......not bad in my book.......

[John Robert]

Over 8000 rds Shield 9 since May 2015. No issues..........it's like the Energizer Bunny

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by dben002

By the end of June 2017 that number is forecast to exceed 2,000,000 and the data to date based on 1,000,000 sales the reported "real problems" is 0.01%. That's 1/10 of one percent...do the math....about 1,000 legit problems......not bad in my book.......

Um, that's 1/100th of one percent, but what's a decimal place among friends?

[wormraper]

the 9mm shields have been out for a LONG time and have relatively few problems.

the .45 shields are having some disturbing problems with mag drops and slide lock backs, but its hard to say if that's an issue for just a few or the typical internet "maginification".

my .45 shield has about 140-150 rounds through it with no problems, but I've heard the problems can start on higher round counts....

[Tinhack]

dben beat me to it but I had read somewhere of the Shield approaching two million units already. You don't get those kind of numbers from a disappointing gun.

[ladder13]

2,000,000 of one gun is a incredible feat in 5 years. The #1 selling gun for a number of years running.


And no, no one is eating S&W's lunch, that's a dream.

[Konk]

Originally Posted by Frank121

I ordered a Shield 9mm this morning. $234 shipped after rebate was just too tempting to resist.

Post up your experience with the gun after you get a chance to put some rounds through her.

[Groundhog34]

I had a serious problem with my shield. The FIRST time I fired it the slide locked back tightly and would not move. I sent it to S&W 2 weeks ago, when I called yesterday I was told it may be another 3 weeks before it will be looked at. Am I happy, NO. Do I believe the shield has issues no I just bought a lemon, my bad luck. I think the percent of bad guns is very low probably 1% or less. I am however VERY unhappy with the slow service.

[SmithNWesson]

Originally Posted by BigDog48

People with problems post. The other million of us with no problems don't

^^^ this.

About 200 rounds through my 9mm so far and i love it. Great price and reliability

[fdw]

What problems? Are problems being reported?

[Vl091568]

My problem is I wish there was a bigger capacity magazine and I had more money to buy more ammo. 😈

[Groundhog34]

Read my post

[Groundhog34]

Originally Posted by fdw

What problems? Are problems being reported?

Read my post. I am not saying problems are widespread but I certainly had a serious problem.