When I got my new Shield a couple months ago, the guide rod fell right out when I field stripped it. S&W promptly sent me a replacement which was a little tighter fit, but I wasn't feeling it. I own several M&P handguns and none of them has ever had even one malfunction, so I was slightly disappointed. I ordered a stainless guide rod from ssguiderods.com. I finally made it to the range today and the gun functioned perfectly! 100 rounds of Blazer Brass, and a box of 230 grain HST fed perfectly. Just like my Shield 9, it goes boom every time I pull the trigger, and hits where I point it at 10 yards. What more can I ask of a self defense handgun?

Try it at 20 yards, and you'll be even more impressed.

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What, me worry?

I'm sure of that. I've shot my Shield 9 much farther than 10 yds, but I had limited time today.

I'd just like to know if it's as uncomfortable to shoot as , say, .357 in a steel J-frame? Or, is recoil okay, with muzzle flip being the only issue? Thanks.

Recoil isn't bad at all on the Shield 45

Hmmm...I guess I got lucky. My Shield 45 was built August 29, 2016. The RSA is pretty tight...not overwhelmingly so, but it feels pretty secure. It has the red spring.

Got my Shield .45 at a local gun show today. Had a bunch of .45 ammo (I have a 1911 and have carried a 1911 for way over 30 yrs.) Once my purchase was complete immediately went to the local range for some new gun shooting!
WOW like everyone else has said this weapon shoots better than the Shield 9mm I had and it will become my EDC once it has some more rounds, Accurate, no issues with feeding and all the other good things this group has said about the Shield .45.
I'm a happy shooter!!
Sarge

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SFC, US Army, Retired

My 45 Shield is easier to shoot than my Glock 30s.
My 30s will probably be sold. I just like the Shield much better.
I only wish it had a longer barrel.

I've had my 45 shield for almost a year. Fired almost 250 rds thru it without any issues. First trip to the range, I had 2 50 rd boxes and another half a box of mixed bullet styles and weights, including some cast, fmjs and HPs of all different makers. Everything from 185s, 200s and 230s, all functioned and ejected, flawlessly. At 15 yds, nearly everything was point of aim. Next range trip after cleaning was with the Win Ranger carry ammoand same result 100 rds down range without issue. My biggest take from firing it, was the recoil was far less, than what I was expecting and I could tell no difference between it and the full size 45 that I use to carry. It is my carry gun, when I actually do carry. Bill in MA

Does all m&p’s45 have feed or eject problems? Mine has about 300 rounds thru it and still has these problems. Is this normal?

Many years ago, in deference to my ageing hands and wrists, I swore off any handguns larger than 357 diameter. Sold the 45 Colt and the Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Mag. Kept the GI 1911 my father bought from the DCM in the late '50s ($30, IIRC) but didn't shoot it again.

When I got a steel J frame that took 357, I fired one (1) magnum round out of it - with the biggest, softest Pachmayr grip on it, and a shooting glove. And I will never do it again.

But curiosity got the best of me one day after I'd been shooting my Shield 9 for a while, and I rented a Shield 45 at the range. Then I rented it again the next time I was there. If I hadn't given all my 45 reloading dies, cases and bullets away to my son (with the 1911 it was used for) I'd have one of the Shield 45s now. A real delight to shoot. Seems like barely more recoil than my daily carry Shield 9, and I don't remember muzzle flip being anything special. It's an absolute tack driver. I have NO idea how a gun that small and light can be as comfortable to shoot 230 grain bullets out of, but it is. (Can you tell I still want one?)

Is your M&P a Shield? My Shield .45 had a failure to feed problem, and a number of others on the Forum have had FTF problems with their Shield .45s as well. I lightly polished my lower feed ramp (that's where the bullet tips were hanging up), and I gave my magazines a thorough cleaning. I have since shot 1200 rounds and the FTF problem has gone away. I've shot 3100 rounds overall, and I've never had a failure to eject, nor have I read very many complaints about Shield .45 FTEs on the Forum. If your M&P isn't a Shield, hopefully some of the non-Shield M&P .45 owners will help.

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What, me worry?

Truthfully, it's not much different than shooting the 9mm. I've never shot a Shield in 40, so I can't make that comparison.

Answer this question first. Then we can go further.

Also, what type of failures? Fail to feed? Fail to eject? Fail to Extract?

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Freedom isn't free.

My 45 will failure to feed then two rounds later failure to eject the brass you hve to punch it out. Does not matter the ammo no reloads have been shot.

No. From my own experience and all I have read, your soecific gun is abnormsl. Try cleaning it thoroughly, and using a light grease like Tetragun on the rails, barrel, and other lubrication points. Cycle the slide a dozen or so times, and see if your performance improves. Be sure your grip is firm, and let another shooter or two try your gun, too.

Also keep track of the ammunition and specific magazines you use, and if priblems recur, say, when the mag is fully loaded or half-empty, etc.

After that, if you still have issues, summarize them and return to the manufacturer.

Good luck!

Ok, that clears it up a little. There are multiple problems and your gun is far from normal. This is not a simple issue of shooting more will break it in.

I recommend sending it back to S&W for evaluation.

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Freedom isn't free.