I have a gen 1 shield. And a 3.6” 2.0 9c. I was wondering without getting too crazy what spare or replacement parts I should keep on hand. I don’t want to buy every part or spend a fortune. But want to be able to keep the guns functional without down time.

Maybe one or two recoil springs each but what other parts would those in the know wear out or are prone to break and keeping on hand would be wise.

A couple years ago no one would have thought we would have ammo shortages like we have. So who knows if we will ever see parts shortages. We are seeing supply chain issues in almost every market. So why would I not expect staff shortages etc from the gun manufacturers won’t also occur?

Looking for cheap “insurance” to ensure I can keep my weapons in good working order.


I am interested to hear what parts people suggest. Please be specific to both the shield and 9c as appropriate.

Thanks

Recoil springs
Recoil Guide rod, plastic or metal
Extractor + spring
Ejector
Striker assembly
Trigger return spring

I think this list would cover 90% of all expected wear or breakage issues.

Beyond this, I ascribe to the duplicate gun theory.

I think you’re thinking too much.

The Shields don't have independent Guide Rods/Recoil Springs, they have an integrated 1-Piece RSA.
Extractor group? Maybe, but none of mine have actually worn out over the last Decade
Ejector? One can live (literally) with a broken Ejector, as all it does is flip the cartridge to the right.

Before covid hit and ammo dried up, I racked up well over 35 Thousand rounds on my Gen1 Shield and it's still running fine on all original parts.

If your RSA disk bends, just call/email S&W CS and they will send you a replacement for free.

Everything else in the Shield... If SHTF, you will definitely run out of ammo (even if you hand reload) way before the gun breaks.

I agree most modern guns will run 10’s of thousands of rounds without breaking or wearing out parts, even MIM.

However, some don’t. OP suggested a time when spare parts or service would not be available. Having parts on hand is insurance. You pay for it and hope you don’t need it. But if you do, you can’t buy it after the fact.

Given the cost of a used Gen 1 Shield right now, I’d buy one as my insurance. I did that a while ago.

My new rifle broke a steel firing pin tip @ round #128. Because there was also a chamber issue, I returned it to the factory under warranty. I was told yesterday I may see the gun again in two weeks—six weeks after I sent it off. It will come back with a spare parts kit that will cost me $70, including a firing pin which the factory says they have almost never seen break.

Almost. Anything mechanical can break, any time.

Having "common" spares on hand is a good thing IMO. Recoil Spring Assembly, magazine springs and trigger return springs seem to get the most workout and are relatively easy to swap. You can certainly stockpile more parts.

As for myself, I have quite a few spares for my M&Ps (and other brands) including spare barrels and sear housing assemblies. I don't think I'll ever need them but they were cheap when I came across them. If I'm a few bucks short of free shipping, for example, I'll add a few more items to the cart.

Another thing to consider is "discontinuation" by the Mfgr. Warrantees sometimes specify limits based on the lifecycle of the model. "We'll fix it if we still have parts for it". Eventually, 1.0 specific parts will become harder to find.

If nothing else, if the time comes to sell them I can "zero time" them.

For the best source of spares, buy another as CB3 suggests.

Since you live in Wisconsin, need to ask, what spare parts do you have for your HVAC system? Guessing it's more important than your pistol this time of year (and cost a lot more,) so why not have a control board, limit switches, and the various other parts and pieces, that may break?

As already stated, don't over think it.

I am not worried about the politicians prohibiting or cutting production or limiting citizens purchase of a new fan motor for my furnace. But the politicians are always dreaming up new ways to limit and restrict all sorts and manner of things related to guns!

I am still not buying the argument that the ammo shortage is due to just new gun owners buying ammo.

Why have I not seen in Wisconsin 30-30 ammo even during rifle deer season? Another family friend had to borrow 30-06 ammo from my dad because there was none in the stores! Something else is going on!

When the riots were going on yea 223/556 and 9mm etc flew off the shelves. But why did 30-30, 270 win and 30-06 get as scarce as hens teeth? And for 2 years!

Then you shouldn’t be worried about spare parts.

Buy a dozen extra complete firearms. And cases of aluminum foil. Now you’re covered.

The shotages are due to not being able to get the goods to the store I have friends that are truckers and they are scrambling to get their trucks fixed... Can't get parts.

One friend has eight trucks and four of them are down waiting on parts, he had to go out and rent a trailer for one of them because the trailer is in the shop now for over six months waiting on an axle assembly. I had to wait over two months to get a door for my Lincoln MKZ, the dealer couldn't get it finally found a used one with low miles and purchased it and had it sent to them. These types of issues are more common than you think.

The shotages are due to not being able to get the goods to the store I have friends that are truckers and they are scrambling to get their trucks fixed... Can't get parts.

One friend has eight trucks and four of them are down waiting on parts, he had to go out and rent a trailer for one of them because the trailer is in the shop now for over six months waiting on an axle assembly. I had to wait over two months to get a door for my Lincoln MKZ, the dealer couldn't get it finally found a used one with low miles and purchased it and had it sent to them. These types of issues are more common than you think.

If I could afford a dozen extra guns I would not be asking about spare parts.

We are seeing shortages in this country the likes of which we may have seen since WWII. Something more is going on. If people are not waking up then that is their problem.

Oh yeah their is a lot more going on than the propaganda were being fed. The situation is much worse than what is being told.The stuff going on in Iran, Ukrain and Kazakhstan is much worse that what were being told, and the whole world is laughing at us. This administration has torn down this country to the lowest level it had been in 80 years. I feel bad for the young folks that are going to have to deal with it for the coming years.

I have stocked up on mag springs , recoil springs, firing pins, mag latch springs, extractors, ejectors, guide rods, slide locks, slide lock springs for most of my guns, not shields but Glocks and my S&W 915. It is cheap insurance imo and parts are getting harder to come by,

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

Because there is a finite amount of labor, material, and production lines. Because there are still tons of people that may only have one gun that covers shtf, hunting, HD and everything else. Stuff like 30-30, 3006 are no longer produced in the numbers they used to be. For most people that use these, they are a "box a year" caliber. One box at hunting season, and maybe only every other year.

Hypothetical number below for ease of math.

100 people buy 1 box a year of 3030.
Manufacturer produces run of 200, and if orders dictate the need, a second run of 200. Plenty of room for some buyers to buy 2, or even 3.


Panic happens. Manufacturer only does one run, they are not wasting time changing back out for a second run of a smaller caliber, when they are selling 308/556/9mm faster than they can make it.

"Hey Bob, 3030 has been getting hard to get, better stock up." Now all these 1 box a year buyers are buying 5-10 box's.