Hi gang.

Picked up a new 9mm PC Shield with the ports and the hi viz sights today. The $380 price and the rebate goodies were enough to trigger an impulse purchase.

I have read some of the threads re: slide/spring and barrel binding issues, but I'm not sure how my gun's issue may relate, or if there's a known fix. Started a ticket with S&W, and sorry to read of the problems some folks have had getting theirs fixed. Not cool, S&W.

Like many, my shield is stiff and was a bit dirty from the factory. I gave it a cleaning and loaded some well-worn triple-k brand snap caps into a magazine to check function.

Mostly it went as expected. But every so many times I ejected and loaded a new snap cap, the slide failed to go fully into battery. Pulling the trigger will either push the slide into battery and engage the striker, or just push the slide into battery. In that case, releasing the trigger will reset it and the striker will fire on the 2nd pull.

I found that even when the slide closes fully with a snap cap in the chamber, I can push it back several millimeters from the muzzle and reproduce this condition. The slide will stay hanging a bit off the back. This doesn't happen with an empty chamber. Loaded mag and empty chamber, the slide goes back into fully closed when pushed slightly rearwards.

I've not tried cycling live rounds thru it yet, and am feeling a bit 'iffy' about taking it to the range for breaking in. But I really want to, and for all I know, that could be just what the Dr. ordered.

But aside from that, I really love this gun.. so far. It feels perfect for carry and the sights are pretty nifty. Meant to replace an older, non-striker fired LC9. Though it looks like that might have to wait.

Thanks for your thoughts. Almost all of the reviews I've read/watched on the shield have been positive. Wasn't aware of its gremlins until today.

Sorry to bump my Q. I think due to it being my first post, it didn't show up until I made a second post today.

Go shoot it and when loading the chamber don't ride the slide forward, grab and pull the rear of the slide back and release it and let it slam closed.

Oh and WELCOME!

Slingshot the slide like poster above mentioned and go shoot the darn thing

Good quality guns shouldn't have to be broken-in, but put a couple o' boxes through it and see what happens.

You might want to tell folks like Les Baer ,, Bill Wilson,, and Kahr Arms that ...

They just make ****** guns. LOL

You can't depend on snap caps to check the real function of a gun.

Like others have said, go shoot the darn thing.

I'll bet money there's not a thing wrong with it. The recoil spring just needs to be worked to help loosen it up.

My question is WHY start a ticket for something you haven't even shot?

It might be the snap caps are out of spec and hanging up chambering. Would agree to load up and go to the range. Personally on any new semi I start off just loading up two rounds to check function and make sure it doesn't decide to slam fire and go automatic. I'll load up just two or three in the mag for about 12 rounds or so just to be sure
Safety first always......
Enjoy the gun!
Karl

People have a tendency to overthink things. Go shoot it.

I don't know why people think snap caps are good for action proving. They're not. Either make up some proper action-proving rounds (dummies loaded to proper dimensions), or go shoot some live ammo.

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Pisgah

This is a redundant answer, but go shoot it! Snap caps are 1) not needed with a striker fired pistol and 2) prove nothing (they're protection for firing pins in hammer fired guns). again, go shoot it, then see how it works.

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Loving retirement!