? pin sticking out too far? Not sure what you mean by that. And as foolish as it seems you are leaving the magazine out of the gun correct?

The only time my 45 Shield does what you say yours is doing is if I forget to put the yellow lever down. Is the takedown lever rotating all the way down? When you pull the slide back you should hear a little 'click' then while still holding it guide it forward, you are not pulling the trigger for any reason are you?
Karl