Problems with new S&W M&P Shield 9mm

[wlg]

After a long time on the list, I got my S&W M&P Shield 9mm, took it to the range put about 50 rounds through it had a FTE after that tried to put another 100 rounds through it had 3 more FTE and 1 stuck in the pipe. Had to have gunsmith get it out. Took it back to where I bought it they called S&W and was told to send it to them. Has anyone else had these problems? I hope S&W makes it right and it comes back and works ok?

 

[kodiakpb]

I have not....What type of ammo were you using and are you a new shooter?

 

[wlg]

I was using Remington 124gr. Range ammo. No not new shooter, no limp wresting. Yes I did clean it before taking it to the range. I like it very much, hope they get it fixed. I want it for ccw.
wlg

 

[Smitty357]

I had this happen with my XDS9 when i first got it. After some shooting it, it finally broke in and worked fine. Although i no longer own the XDS, because I like my Shields much better. I'm just saying that it got better after some shooting.

I've also had this happen with one of my Kimber UC 1911's. Also once again, it got better after i broke it in. Different guns have different tolerences. Some need a break in and others dont. It happens across all manufacturers.

 

[bmyers]

The only problem I have had with my Shield is that it goes through ammo way to quickly, which is costing me a small fortune.

 

[wlg]

Has anyone had to send one to S&W to repair? I think they will fix it? Maybe I am too cranky? I believe when one pays the price they ask for these guns you should be able to take them out of the box, clean them, shoot them and have them be reliable. I know several years back I could buy a gun from S&W and not worry about reliability, or braking one in. Maybe quality control should be better.

 

[Old cop]

I had to send a 340 M&P .357 back b/c the cylinder was lose. They fixed it and had it back to me w/I ten days, but I agree it should not happen.

 

[Badquaker]

Has anyone had to send one to S&W to repair? I think they will fix it? Maybe I am too cranky? I believe when one pays the price they ask for these guns you should be able to take them out of the box, clean them, shoot them and have them be reliable. I know several years back I could buy a gun from S&W and not worry about reliability, or braking one in. Maybe quality control should be better.

Read through the forum. You will discover a fair number of threads of guns having to be sent back for warranty work. Pistols are assembled by humans, with tolerances that sometime lead to a less than perfect condition. I personally think you may have been premature in sending it back. With the current backlog after their summer break, I think you might be disappointed with the turn around time.

good luck

 

[checkmyswag]

Remington ammo isn't great but this sounds pretty extreme.

 

[wlg]

I don't mind if it takes a while. I just want them to get it right. I really like this gun. It is just what I and a lot of folks really want for ccw.

 

[srings]

I have not had those issues. The three times I've had issues (mag drop, slide not locking after last round fired and 1 FTE) were operator handling issues...not firearm issues. Good luck with yours. S&W will make it right.

 

[Rpg]

Lots of folks have had reliably problems with these pistols.

Send it back to S&W.

If it doesn't work every time, it's no good for SD.

S&W gets away with shoddy production and design when consumers accept it.

 

[checkmyswag]

Lots of folks have had reliably problems with these pistols.

Send it back to S&W.

If it doesn't work every time, it's no good for SD.

S&W gets away with shoddy production and design when consumers accept it.

First time I've read such a blanket statement against S&W.

Strongly disagree with "lots of folks...have had problems".

 

[wlg]

I don't mean any disrespect to anyone. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have been hearing that you need to shoot a couple hundred rounds through a semi-auto to break it in. I bought semi-autos years ago and never heard that and never had these problems. I am not an expert by any means. I bought a cheap $250.00 kel-Teck pf9 (they also have lifetime warranty) a few months ago took it out of the box (no cleaning) run 200 rounds through it with no problems. I just expect more form a reputable Co. like S&W. I can also understand a bad one will get by them once and a while, but there seems to be way too many folks having to send these Shields back because of these issues.

 

[kodiakpb]

I don't mean any disrespect to anyone. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have been hearing that you need to shoot a couple hundred rounds through a semi-auto to break it in. I bought semi-autos years ago and never heard that and never had these problems. I am not an expert by any means. I bought a cheap $250.00 kel-Teck pf9 (they also have lifetime warranty) a few months ago took it out of the box (no cleaning) run 200 rounds through it with no problems. I just expect more form a reputable Co. like S&W. I can also understand a bad one will get by them once and a while, but there seems to be way too many folks having to send these Shields back because of these issues.

I think that gets thrown around and assumed that it's for the weapons benefit. Personally, I think it's for breaking in the shooter...who ultimately over time and practice, learns to control and manipulate the weapon better. I've never had to "break" in a M&P, Glock, Sig, Beretta, SA, FN, etc, etc..

 

[Badquaker]

Guns with extremely tight tolerances ( think wilson, brown, and baer ) do require time to break in. Sloppy guns usually do not. Expense, does not guarantee reliability.

 

[DocSunShine]

Lots of folks have had reliably problems with these pistols.

Send it back to S&W.

If it doesn't work every time, it's no good for SD.

S&W gets away with shoddy production and design when consumers accept it.

Me and all my family & friends (many M&P shooters among us) must be the luckiest ***'s alive because none of us have had Ny reliability, durability or accuracy issues among us. These guns just work. Occasionally someone gets a lemon, but it's a rarity, just like with any other company. Go over to GT you'll see threads on malfunctions everyday, doesn't mean Glocks are unreliable (brass to the face aside), it means a few lemons get out here and there.

 

[CatSnipah]

Out of three people I personally know with a 9 mm Shield, two had to send theirs back for warranty work within the first 150 rounds.

I've read several folks on this forum with problems.

I've read several folks on this forum with NO problems.

At this point, I'm not sure what to believe.

I do, however, have a vested interest, as I've been thinking Shield for my CCW. Liked it better than the Springfield, Ruger, etc. Hope this is just an isolated issue and / or quickly resolved.

 

[N4KVE]

I hope the OP gave his new gun a thorough cleaning before it was shot for the 1st time. Sometimes chips, & shavings from the manufacturing process can be in the gun, & need to be cleaned out before the initial use. Also, it's possible with the extremely high demand for the Shield, there is a rush to get them to the LGS which might cause quality to be lacking. I know whenever our LGS gets one, it was test fired a few days before. I figure since the dealer cost is about $100 less than a similar M&P 9c, or 40c, shortcuts were taken to save the $100. GARY

 

[Rastoff]

First of all, I hate acronyms without an explanation first. You said you had several "FTEs" the first time you shot the gun. Were they Failure to Extract or Failure to Eject? There is a difference. Until we know which, we can't help diagnose the problem.

I believe when one pays the price they ask for these guns...

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but it sounds like you think the M&P is expensive; it's not. In fact, it is at the lower end of the spectrum.

Guns with extremely tight tolerances ( think wilson, brown, and baer ) do require time to break in. Sloppy guns usually do not. Expense, does not guarantee reliability.

My Brown did not need a break in period, but maybe it is unique. Neither of my M&Ps needed a break in. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a gun, no matter the price, to work right out of the box.

I hope the OP gave his new gun a thorough cleaning before it was shot for the 1st time.

He stated that he did. Look at the original post.