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  #1  
Old 10-23-2017, 07:31 PM
Nonuthin Nonuthin is offline
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This is nuthin new but Shield owners should fix this problem before it causes malfunctions and prevents you from removing your slide...

All Shield 9mm & 40 frames have this same problem where the slide lock spring can work its way out of its retaining groove in the left side of the locking block just above the disassembly lever.
When the spring does pop out (usually after firing 50-300 rounds), you won't be able to remove the slide when you try to field strip or clean your Shield because the end of the spring will catch on the inside of the slide. Worse, when this spring pops out while you're shooting, it will cause enough friction or drag on the slide so that your Shield will stovepipe and mis-feed because it can't fully cycle to eject properly and it will also fail to return to full battery (close all the way on a loaded round) because of this spring being jammed inside the slide.

When you try to field strip the gun, the spring stops you dead because it's caught on the underside of the slide preventing it from moving forward off the frame. So, what do you do?

Here's the fix:
1) If your slide is already stuck because the spring has popped out of it's groove, don't force the slide! Instead, move the slide back about an eighth of an inch so you can see the spring out of it's groove and insert a small bladed screwdriver and pry the spring DOWNWARD so the slide can come forward off the frame.
2) After you get the slide off, if the spring is not bent out of shape then you can use a small bladed screwdriver and a punch to force the spring back into the groove. You'll need three hands here so be prepared!
3) Once the spring is back into its groove, use a 1/16" punch and a small hammer to tap it fully into its groove so it's COMPLETELY recessed along its entire length.

Go shoot your Shield some more and keep an eye on the spring. If it begins to walk out of the groove again, send the gun back to the factory for a permanent repair. Otherwise, you'll be ok.

Important: Even if your Shield has never had this problem, you should definitely perform Step 3) on it as a preventative measure. I bought 13 Shields and have done Step 3) on all of them. Every 9mm & 40 Shield I have needed to have the slide lock spring tapped fully into the groove, even those that were never fired yet! The springs in the Shields that were fired more than 100 rounds had already worked far enough out of the groove to show wear spots from rubbing on the slide.

The 45's have a much DEEPER groove. When the spring was tapped with the punch, it recedes considerably deeper into the groove than any of the 9mm & 40's do. But, when the spring is fully seated on the 9mm & 40's, it is at least flush with the side of the locking block and not sticking out of the groove anywhere along its length. Obviously, the factory is not fully seating these springs during production or this wouldn't be necessary.

Remember, use a 1/16" pin punch and a very light hammer to tap the spring back into its groove BEFORE it pops out, which many eventually will.

I'll try to figure out how to post a picture later...

Thanks to member BigWheelZip whose picture I just stole...

Last edited by Nonuthin; 10-23-2017 at 07:46 PM. Reason: Add Stolen Picture
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:40 PM
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Let's see. . .this sounds like why I don't and never will carry a Shield. No need for anybody to say, "I've never had a problem with mine." I will not carry any handgun that isn't proven to be 100% reliable. Those guns can sit in my collection. . .not in my pocket or on my belt. My carry gun is a M10 or M64 RB snub.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:47 PM
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U forgot about the mag spring issues on all of them since day 1, S&W tried to fix this but still happ and I got Wolff springs for all of mine and the 1's for the rebate if it ever gets here!
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:55 PM
Broganlaney Broganlaney is offline
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13 shields?! Holy cow man! I don't know that I've owned 13 of anything lol.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:58 PM
Nonuthin Nonuthin is offline
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I've been known to get carried away when I see great value in a gun, like I did when the $75 rebate was on and I got discounted LEO prices as well.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:59 PM
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The Shield is an awesome weapon...... thats why they have sold so MANY and continue to sell so many

I have never heard of this issue, and have put many more rounds down the pipe than listed above


I dont think its going to keep me up at night

Last edited by DBasye1; 10-23-2017 at 08:04 PM.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:59 PM
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well for what it's worth, my Shield (PC9) has well over 1k rounds with 0 troubles. No slide issues, no mag spring issues, no ammo issues.

I view it like a Camry or Accord. They sell a million and most are rock solid. But a few will have things pop up to repair. Not sure if anything mechanical can be 100% perfect for every single unit sold.

Not being snarky, just noting that while there are those who have had legit issues there are plenty who have not.

That said, the pointers listed are good for any of us who have had this trouble or who could down the road.... so thanks for posting
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:04 PM
Nonuthin Nonuthin is offline
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I should clarify my above posts...
Most Shield slide lock springs NEVER pop all the way out of their grooves.
My intent was to post a fix for a POSSIBLE problem that crops up from time-to-time. NONE of my Shields has popped a spring...YET.
But, I feel more confident that they won't now that I fully set their springs all the way into their grooves.
Best Regards.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DBasye1 View Post
The Shield is an awesome weapon...... thats why they have sold so MANY and continue to sell so many

I have never heard of this issue, and have put many more rounds down the pipe than listed above


I dont think its going to keep me up at night
Check several posts in this forum... Search "Slide Stuck" & "Slide Lock", etc.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:10 PM
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I've got over 600 rounds downrange and have never heard of this issue. It has eaten everything I have given it with zero issues except the mags are extremely hard to load and Uplula took care of that issue.



and I did buy a pinkie extension for the seven round mag. Also a great product.

Not saying it is not an issue just saying I've never experienced anything close to it.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:15 PM
DBasye1 DBasye1 is offline
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deleted for my post being too snarky for me......

The Shield is a great gun

This thread doesnt change that opinion

Last edited by DBasye1; 10-23-2017 at 08:18 PM.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:37 PM
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I just checked my 9mm Shield for this 'problem'. The spring was not quite flush so I tapped it flush. I don't think it will be a problem, but I will check it after every shooting session.

While I share most people's confidence in revolvers, be aware that even little-known springs in them can go bad. Several years ago, a torsion spring broke in my M49. This is a spring most people don't even know about, let alone check!
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nonuthin View Post
Thanks to member BigWheelZip whose picture I just stole...
Can't take credit for it, because I stole it also, as reference for when people post with that problem.
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Old 10-23-2017, 09:01 PM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nonuthin View Post
This is nuthin new but Shield owners should fix this problem before it causes malfunctions and prevents you from removing your slide...

All Shield 9mm & 40 frames have this same problem where the slide lock spring can work its way out of its retaining groove in the left side of the locking block just above the disassembly lever.
When the spring does pop out (usually after firing 50-300 rounds), you won't be able to remove the slide when you try to field strip or clean your Shield because the end of the spring will catch on the inside of the slide. Worse, when this spring pops out while you're shooting, it will cause enough friction or drag on the slide so that your Shield will stovepipe and mis-feed because it can't fully cycle to eject properly and it will also fail to return to full battery (close all the way on a loaded round) because of this spring being jammed inside the slide.

When you try to field strip the gun, the spring stops you dead because it's caught on the underside of the slide preventing it from moving forward off the frame. So, what do you do?

Here's the fix:
1) If your slide is already stuck because the spring has popped out of it's groove, don't force the slide! Instead, move the slide back about an eighth of an inch so you can see the spring out of it's groove and insert a small bladed screwdriver and pry the spring DOWNWARD so the slide can come forward off the frame.
2) After you get the slide off, if the spring is not bent out of shape then you can use a small bladed screwdriver and a punch to force the spring back into the groove. You'll need three hands here so be prepared!
3) Once the spring is back into its groove, use a 1/16" punch and a small hammer to tap it fully into its groove so it's COMPLETELY recessed along its entire length.

Go shoot your Shield some more and keep an eye on the spring. If it begins to walk out of the groove again, send the gun back to the factory for a permanent repair. Otherwise, you'll be ok.

Important: Even if your Shield has never had this problem, you should definitely perform Step 3) on it as a preventative measure. I bought 13 Shields and have done Step 3) on all of them. Every 9mm & 40 Shield I have needed to have the slide lock spring tapped fully into the groove, even those that were never fired yet! The springs in the Shields that were fired more than 100 rounds had already worked far enough out of the groove to show wear spots from rubbing on the slide.

The 45's have a much DEEPER groove. When the spring was tapped with the punch, it recedes considerably deeper into the groove than any of the 9mm & 40's do. But, when the spring is fully seated on the 9mm & 40's, it is at least flush with the side of the locking block and not sticking out of the groove anywhere along its length. Obviously, the factory is not fully seating these springs during production or this wouldn't be necessary.

Remember, use a 1/16" pin punch and a very light hammer to tap the spring back into its groove BEFORE it pops out, which many eventually will.

I'll try to figure out how to post a picture later...

Thanks to member BigWheelZip whose picture I just stole...
Could you post a pick pointjng out the exact area your talking about?

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Old 10-23-2017, 09:07 PM
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1000 perfect rounds through my 9mm Shield. I guess I should throw it in the trash and buy a Glock before it’s too late.

Or maybe I’ll trade it for a Keltec.
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Old 10-23-2017, 09:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xdmshooter59 View Post
Could you post a pick pointjng out the exact area your talking about?
Here is one picture showing a spring that slipped out, and a pair of them that shows a correctly seated spring and one sitting outside the slot.




FWIW, from what I have observed on this forum, Shield 9mm's manufactured in 2017 seem to be the ones exhibiting this issue. Earlier ones seemed more likely to have recoil spring problems.

Last edited by bigwheelzip; 10-23-2017 at 09:29 PM.
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Old 10-23-2017, 09:58 PM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Here's mine and it doesn't appear totally flush. I tried to tap it down further but it wouldn't go any further. Certainly doesnt seem to go flush at all. How hard are you tapping it? If I tapped one end in the other end would come out ?

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Last edited by xdmshooter59; 10-23-2017 at 10:03 PM.
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Old 10-23-2017, 10:08 PM
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First of all, every gun is 100% reliable...until it isn't.

To the OP, I have noticed the issue on mine. When I took it apart to install an Apex trigger that spring did not want to stay in. It kept popping out of its groove. I tried to tap it there good and haven't had a problem since, but I need to check it because it has been 400 rounds or so ago. Thanks
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Old 10-23-2017, 10:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xdmshooter59 View Post
Here's mine and it doesn't appear totally flush. I tried to tap it down further but it wouldn't go any further. Certainly doesnt seem to go flush at all. How hard are you tapping it? If I tapped one end in the other end would come out ?
One of my 40's was just like yours. Your spring is showing wear on its end because it's sticking out. Start reseating the spring by tapping in the center near the little ripple and work outward from there to the end and to where it disappears into the frame. Just tap the punch like you were tapping a picture hook into drywall... not too hard. Use a 1/16" pin punch. Your spring will seat flush when you do it right. Good luck.
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Old 10-23-2017, 10:26 PM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nonuthin View Post
One of my 40's was just like yours. Your spring is showing wear on its end because it's sticking out. Start reseating the spring by tapping in the center near the little ripple and work outward from there to the end and to where it disappears into the frame. Just tap the punch like you were tapping a picture hook into drywall... not too hard. Use a 1/16" pin punch. Your spring will seat flush when you do it right. Good luck.
Actually that wear is where I tapped it with a punch and may have flattened the end a little.

Last edited by xdmshooter59; 10-23-2017 at 10:35 PM.
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Old 10-23-2017, 10:32 PM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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I've got roughly 600 rounds thru mine which is a PC Shield and no issues. Am I naïve to think that there will eventually be some sort of permanent fix for this issue if enough Shields go back in for service?
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Old 10-23-2017, 10:37 PM
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Just checked mine made june 2017 and its flush and black on the outside and hard to even see!
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Old 10-23-2017, 10:57 PM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nonuthin View Post
One of my 40's was just like yours. Your spring is showing wear on its end because it's sticking out. Start reseating the spring by tapping in the center near the little ripple and work outward from there to the end and to where it disappears into the frame. Just tap the punch like you were tapping a picture hook into drywall... not too hard. Use a 1/16" pin punch. Your spring will seat flush when you do it right. Good luck.
I did as you said although the smallest punch I had was a 3/32 and it did do the trick. Looks flush now, hope it stays that way as I love this little gun. Sounds like a design flaw to me.
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Old 10-23-2017, 11:12 PM
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I found mine. Intact.
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Old 10-24-2017, 12:30 AM
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Checked my 9mm Shield (~900 rounds), the spring was a bit proud of the slot. Tapped it back in flush. I know I'll keep an eye on that every time I clean it. It doesn't look like there's enough room in there to pop out fully when the slide's on, but it can clearly happen to at least some of the guns.
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Old 10-24-2017, 05:05 AM
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I don't yet own a Shield - but I'm sure glad I saw this post! Thanks to all who have posted - especially the photos. Maybe this potential issue is addressed/resolved on the Shield 2.0. With all the million+ Shields out there I'm surprised this hasn't been reported before ... well, at least this is the first I've heard of it...
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Old 10-24-2017, 05:18 AM
NewToGuns17 NewToGuns17 is offline
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I was actually able to push my spring in a bit... thanks.
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Old 10-24-2017, 08:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DocB View Post
Let's see. . .this sounds like why I don't and never will carry a Shield. No need for anybody to say, "I've never had a problem with mine." I will not carry any handgun that isn't proven to be 100% reliable. Those guns can sit in my collection. . .not in my pocket or on my belt. My carry gun is a M10 or M64 RB snub.
Ok I had a problem with a M10. Obviously not 100% reliable. I also had a similar problem with a model 27

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Old 10-24-2017, 08:47 AM
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Mine has no problems. I never looked but I'll check. However, I can't figure out what you guys are talking about in those pictures

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Old 10-24-2017, 08:51 AM
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for some reason i can't understand where this spring is. I am a shooter, not someone who knows all the parts of the gun. I looked on youtube and its funny no one has detailed this problem. Usually by now there would be 100 video complaints on this problem. I haven't had the problem and carry the shield every day. Sorry, just can't figure out where this is located or how to fix from these pics. Does anyone have a before and after pic?
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:06 AM
Nonuthin Nonuthin is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter991 View Post
for some reason i can't understand where this spring is.
From the original post: "the slide lock spring can work its way out of its retaining groove in the left side of the locking block just above the disassembly lever."

Remove your slide. Hold your frame in your right hand. Look at the left front rail, just above the takedown lever, which is pointing toward 6 o'clock. The tiny silver spring (about the diameter of a common pin) is in a groove just under the left front rail, looking from the left side of your frame.
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:11 AM
Hunter8282 Hunter8282 is offline
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I think this is what they are talking about:


Last edited by Hunter8282; 10-24-2017 at 09:13 AM.
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:11 AM
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Thanks for the information. I checked mine (only about 300 rds. thru it ) and it was OK. I know several folks that have Shields ,, I'll pass it on the info.
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:20 AM
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This is a good tip for observation and maintenance.

It may become a problem on a very small percentage of Shields, although the click bait type thread title and thread writing style seem to be out of proportion to the actual, potential problem, as the OP later admits.
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:22 AM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter991 View Post
for some reason i can't understand where this spring is. I am a shooter, not someone who knows all the parts of the gun. I looked on youtube and its funny no one has detailed this problem. Usually by now there would be 100 video complaints on this problem. I haven't had the problem and carry the shield every day. Sorry, just can't figure out where this is located or how to fix from these pics. Does anyone have a before and after pic?



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Old 10-24-2017, 09:24 AM
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On post 16 the bottom picture on right where OP claims its seated correctly looks like its about to fall out with all the room on each side!

Mine is flush and no open spaces on sides!
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:28 AM
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xdmshooter59!

Thanks for putting up the best pictures of the spring (with red arrows) I have yet seen, since on most pictures not clear and a lot of glare! Thanks again!
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:28 AM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Just to be clear on my situation. I was NOT having any issues with mine before I found this thread even though the spring on my appeared to be not fully seated. Would I have eventually? dunno, maybe, maybe not.

I had already put 600 rds thru the gun with no issues whatsoever. I did however seat the spring shown in the photo above so that is its flush with the block as the OP suggested. Will continue to shoot the gun and monitor the spring to see if it works its way out or not. I'm betting it won't.
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CB3 View Post
This is a good tip for observation and maintenance.

It may become a problem on a very small percentage of Shields, although the click bait type thread title and thread writing style seem to be out of proportion to the actual, potential problem, as the OP later admits.
Uh-Huh.
Here's another good thread about this on-going issue for those that live in denial...

Shield - broken slide stop spring
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:57 AM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Here's a before and after I seated the spring picture

Before


After


Last edited by xdmshooter59; 10-24-2017 at 10:01 AM.
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Old 10-24-2017, 09:57 AM
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While a possible issue, it seems to have nowhere the probs as the issues with the Shield springs collapsing!
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Old 10-24-2017, 10:03 AM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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before not flush



After fully seated


Last edited by xdmshooter59; 10-24-2017 at 10:06 AM.
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Old 10-24-2017, 10:10 AM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nonuthin View Post
Uh-Huh.
Here's another good thread about this on-going issue for those that live in denial...

Shield - broken slide stop spring
Yeah I saw that one too.

Look... as nonuthin pointed out, many Shields may not ever have an issue regardless of how the spring is situated, but if you do run into a problem, he has pointed out what to look for and a possible fix.
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Old 10-24-2017, 10:15 AM
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While I have had no issues after 2400+ rounds, I'll be checking that spring today.
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Old 10-24-2017, 11:10 AM
Hunter991 Hunter991 is offline
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that pic is worth a 1000 words. Thank you.
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Old 10-24-2017, 11:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DocB View Post
I will not carry any handgun that isn't proven to be 100% reliable.
Nothing is 100% reliable. Everybody makes compromises in what they carry . . .
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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .
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Old 10-24-2017, 11:55 AM
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Mine had the exact same problem, thankfully my local gunsmith was able to take apart and fix it for me. I've also expirences the common mag spring problems with 3 of my mags.... I hate to say it but I'm looking to replace my shield as my carry gun, the shield is just too damn unreliable for me, I don't feel confident in it anymore. Thanks op for helping everyone out and posting a fix to the problem, I thought I was the only one lol
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Old 10-24-2017, 01:44 PM
wrangler5 wrangler5 is offline
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You can see part of this spring, sitting in its slot, without removing the slide - just look through the slide stop notch, above the takedown lever, when the slide is in battery. (A good light helps.)

Mine looks to be fully seated. But I'm wondering how it can EVER come "out" of its notch when it looks like it's basically covered by the bottom inside of the slide, which leaves very little clearance for the spring to move "out" except at the slide stop notch.

Not saying it isn't happening as some are reporting, just saying I don't see quite how it's done.
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Old 10-24-2017, 03:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akdude View Post
Just checked mine made june 2017 and its flush and black on the outside and hard to even see!
Mine is bright silver which makes me think it was dragging against the slide which scrapped the black finish off.

It couldn't have been dragging too much because I've had absolutely zero malfunctions of any kind with my Shield.
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Old 10-24-2017, 05:55 PM
xdmshooter59 xdmshooter59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheapskait View Post
Mine is bright silver which makes me think it was dragging against the slide which scrapped the black finish off.

It couldn't have been dragging too much because I've had absolutely zero malfunctions of any kind with my Shield.
It's highly possible that many Shields will not have the spring fully seated and still function without issue as long as it does not come out altogether as was the case with mine. However, others it would seem are fully seated judging by some the posts on this thread. This to me could only mean that there is an obvious QC issue during manufacturing.

It's also hard to tell by a few issues reported on a forum what the real scope of the issue is regarding how many Shields have experienced this problem and have been sent back to the factory. Probably quite small compared to how many Shields have been sold since it's release. Now... how many Shields are coming off the line where the spring isn't fully seated is anyone's guess as well. Unless people are having failures wholesale, no one would probably even notice it unless they saw this thread.

The bigger question then becomes, has this thread changed your confidence in the Shield as your personal defense gun?

It hasn't for me, Yet.....

Last edited by xdmshooter59; 10-24-2017 at 06:03 PM.
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