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Old 09-01-2017, 06:30 PM
fstopf4 fstopf4 is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Default Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service

First 100 rounds 6 failure to fire (light strikes and off center strikes) sent back for repair. Received back yesterday replaced firing pin. Took to range today, 8% failure to fire in 50 rds. Strikes look Ok in strength, failures to fire way off center there is no anvil in primer at the location of strikes. Called CS and was recommended try different ammo? There is no ammunition that
will fire with a primer struck at the location shown. Going back again. Snarky comments from customer service took another Manufacturer out of consideration on my last 3 1911 purchases CS never seems to learn. Any sane recommendations of cause?
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Last edited by fstopf4; 09-01-2017 at 06:32 PM.
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  #2  
Old 09-01-2017, 06:46 PM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Please post a pic of the breech face.

That primer strike is an indication of a gun that is extremely broken or not made properly.
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Old 09-01-2017, 07:04 PM
fstopf4 fstopf4 is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Hoping that that is not the case.
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Old 09-01-2017, 07:13 PM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Just taking a wild shot in the dark here, but given how uneven the brass residue is on that breech face, I'm thinking it's not resting flush against the round. I'm guessing it's either canted somehow, or was machined improperly.
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Old 09-01-2017, 08:58 PM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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What do the fired cases look like? The one with the striker mark looks like the chamber was hogged out and is either too large, off center, or as Mark IV suggests, possibly bored at an angle.

I'd send it back with photos of the some of the failure to fire cases.

Last edited by MichiganScott; 09-01-2017 at 09:00 PM.
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Old 09-01-2017, 09:02 PM
bsmiley bsmiley is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Send it back how ever many times it takes for them to get it right. The warranty is lifetime because that's how long it will take.
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Old 09-01-2017, 09:18 PM
fstopf4 fstopf4 is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Default Fired case

Case after fired normal 92% look like this
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Old 09-01-2017, 10:43 PM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Clearly, this is a "gun problem," not an "ammo problem."

Time for a Glock 43?
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Old 09-01-2017, 11:18 PM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Default That's not a 'minor' flaw.....

I think that even more damage will ensue the more you fire it both on the breech face and the cartridge brass/primer, which will lead to even more trouble. Get enough well known brand cartridges and show that to them. If they don't 'buy' into that tell them you either want a full replacement or a refund.
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Old 09-01-2017, 11:21 PM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Looks to me like the primer got struck when the gun wasn't locked up in full battery. As if the bbl was still a little canted. I would send it back ASAP. Seems a bit dangerous. Good luck.
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Old 09-01-2017, 11:24 PM
bsmiley bsmiley is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Looks like their gunsmith only had online classes... maybe the 2nd time back it will move to tier 2 gunsmiths.
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Old 09-02-2017, 12:51 AM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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OK, thanks for the breech face pics. Yours looks normal.

I think I have the answer. Take a look at these pictures:




The first picture is how the chamber should look when ready to fire. However, the second picture is with the slide back a tiny amount. The arrows are pointing to the chamber and how it's just a tad lower than the slide. Even with the slide back and the chamber lowered that tiny amount, the striker can still be released. Move it back any further and it won't release the striker.

While not fully in or out of battery, the chamber is lower than it should be when firing the gun. This condition will cause the off center strike you're seeing.

The Shield has been known to not go fully into battery when new. If a chamber check is done, the slide doesn't always go fully forward under just the pressure of the recoil spring; it must be pushed forward.

So, what I believe is that the slide is going mostly forward. You're pressing the trigger and feeling the click of a released striker. It is indeed hitting the primer, but off center because the chamber is down just 1/32" which is about the distance you're primers are off center.


There you have it. It's the only explanation I can come up with for what you've shown us. My assessment of the situation as it stands:
  • It is not unsafe.
  • It will clear up with use.

Of course you could send it back to S&W. That would be prudent. I can't tell you for sure without seeing the gun myself, but I'd just keep shooting it. I'd clean it out with a fine tooth comb and examine the function like it was a crime scene (meaning thoroughly). In the end, I'd just shoot it.
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Old 09-02-2017, 02:57 AM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Rastoff's analysis (above) is pretty compelling. If you're going to shoot it again before sending it back to S&W, I have two suggestions:
1. Slightly overlube your Shield. S&W's conservative lube recommendations are fine for a fully broken-in Shield, but may not be enough for a tight new one. Some new Shields can be quite tight in regard to the slide-barrel fit. That could result in occasional failures to go into battery. Get some quality gun lube (I like Slip Extreme Weapons Grease) and apply a thin layer on the barrel, barrel hood, inside the slide forward of the ejection port, inside the slide's barrel port, and the slide supports. Then apply the seven drops of lube as stated in the manual.
2. Shoot some stronger ammo, like Winchester NATO FMJ. It should force the slide to cycle more forcefully and dependably, and will speed up break-in. Winchester NATO ammo is basically loaded to +P specs, but isn't labelled as +P. (I don't know why.) It's powerful enough that you'll notice the difference when you shoot it. Best of all, it costs about the same as ordinary 9mm target ammo.
If these suggestions don't work, it's probably a manufacturing defect that is causing your problem.

Good Luck!
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Old 09-02-2017, 09:53 AM
Nonuthin Nonuthin is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Exactly what occurred with one of my brand new Glock 30's a few months ago...

1. Your Shield is defective and it is firing out of battery (fully locked up). It is UNSAFE to fire because a cartridge web blowout could blind you or seriously injure you. As was so correctly pointed out in a previous post, your firing pin is striking the primer off-center because your barrel is slightly lower than it should be when properly and fully locked up. This is a MAJOR defect. Although most guns can be manually forced to fire like yours, this should never happen in a properly functioning pistol.

2. This MAJOR defect can be caused by conditions like an out-of-spec or improper barrel-to-slide fit; an out-of-spec or weak recoil spring assembly; defective locking block; excess binding of the barrel, slide, or frame; and several other SERIOUS flaws.

3. It IS NOT caused by ammunition. When the recoil-operated Shield unlocks, it must be driven back into full battery solely by the action of the recoil spring assembly. (Imagine a recoil spring assembly that is not strong enough or long enough to force the slide fully forward - same result as yours).

4. Although, under some circumstances, your Shield's failure to lock up may minimize or seem to disappear after firing a number of times, it will never reliably lock up as it was designed to do.

This Shield needs to be properly repaired or replaced by Smith & Wesson.
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Old 09-02-2017, 04:12 PM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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My guess, there's minimal headspace and the slight variation between cases is occasionally causing just enough friction to keep the barrel from going into full lock-up. Easy to check, using just the slide and barrel, load a round and check fore and aft movement of the barrel with it locked up.

It's not uncommon to have quite a variation in tolerances from gun to gun. One member on this board had a new Shield fail to go into battery and after comparing barrels, his chamber to the stop flange was .015 more shallow than mine was.
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Old 09-02-2017, 10:12 PM
fstopf4 fstopf4 is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Default Getting a label to reship back to the mother ship

I am getting a label to return the shield again. I have every confidence that things will go well. Today was a good day at the range and gave me time to reintroduce myself to the old Model 28's Highway patrolman first gun that I purchased brand new way back in 1978 or 9 in 6 inch( my duty weapon for a couple of years) and my dads duty weapon the 28 in 4 inch. A real nostalgia day. Looking forward to those kind of days with the grandsons with the shield when it's working correctly.
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Old 09-22-2017, 09:33 AM
alistair alistair is offline
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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I've got a similar problem.

Two cases on left fired, two bullets on right did not fire.
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Old 09-22-2017, 09:49 AM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alistair View Post
I've got a similar problem.

Two cases on left fired, two bullets on right did not fire.
Is that a Shield also? Yeah, that's just wrong. I would call CS.

Last edited by Bozz10mm; 09-22-2017 at 09:50 AM.
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Old 09-22-2017, 11:55 AM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Yep, definitely off center. Hits like those will give sporadic results. You should indeed send it to S&W.
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Old 09-27-2017, 02:55 AM
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Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service Shield 9mm still has failure to fire after return from S&W service  
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Seems that the barrel isn`t going into full battery.
S&W should replace BOTH the barrel AND the slide.

Be interesting to know what becomes of this,
this isn`t the first time i`ve seen this in the shield model 9/40

Last edited by PaPow; 09-27-2017 at 02:57 AM.
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