Two questions I'd like answers for

Stu Honea · #1 05-22-2018, 07:39 PM

Sometime back in Oct. of last year there was a post referencing the locking block springs popping out of their groove on the Shield pistols. After cleaning my very filthy 45 Shield today this happened to me. I noticed when the slide wouldn't go back on the frame. It was a simple matter to push it down and pop it back in, but does give me some concern.

question 1: Can this possibly occur while the gun is assembled and being fired? I can't really see how it could happen as it appears that the slide rails would keep it in place,but I could be wrong. What's the answer? This has not occurred with either mine or my wife's 9mm Shield. All three have a LOT of rounds through them. I've had the 45 a year as of March.

question 2: Do the larger M&P's also have this design with the locking block spring? I am picking up a M2.0 9mm compact this week and am basically just curious about this as I have not taken a full size down to look at it.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Execpro · #2 05-24-2018, 11:22 PM

I saw the same post on this forum and checked it on my Shield. JMO that it came that way from Smith and is a QC issue. Mine was OK. I always check for known issues on a gun I purchase. I took a flat head screw driver and tapped on my spring to be sure it was seated properly.
My understanding was that it came that way. Could be wrong though. I have 450 rounds threw my gun and check that spring when cleaning. Never had it pop out.

Be SAFE and shoot often.

Just in case anyone wonders why checking out a firearm after purchase for potential problems isn’t a bad idea it’s because of a number of issues I have had with guns over the years. A S&W 44 mag revolver that had an extra trigger spring floating around in the inside works, an unfinished crown on a S&W I didn’t notice until after a range session, a lose yoke screw on a revolver that a person reported loosing when shooting gun on the first outing and on the same model, mine was real loose also,a S&W Shield that had the plunger under the rear sight bound because the spring was installed improperly at the factory etc. etc. I could go on, but I think you get my point!

Nonuthin · #3 05-25-2018, 09:04 AM

Here ya go:

Fix Your Shield Before It Fails!!!

Rastoff · #4 05-25-2018, 12:37 PM

The larger guns do not have this issue. Their slide stop spring is fully contained within the frame.

I don't have a lot of rounds through my Shield, but I did just check mine for this potential issue. Sure enough, the spring was not fully seated in the locking block like it should be. It's an easy enough fix, but certainly something that we should be watching.

Scorpion520AZ · #5 05-25-2018, 03:52 PM

Over 1500 Rounds thru my three Shields, no issues, no concerns.
I check everything closely(to the point of mild OCD I'll admit

)after shooting while I clean & lube. This is a good issue to know about though, and keep an eye on.

Stu Honea · #6 05-25-2018, 06:33 PM

Thanks. In retrospect I think it's impossible for it to come out while being fired or while it's assembled,as the slide rails would hold it in place.
I do appreciate the information that the larger M&P's don't have this design. Thanks to everyone.