Shield barrel imperfections - is this normal?

[RPT]

I've own my Shield for less than a month. Its been to the range twice and has had 225 rounds through it.

First impressions aren't the best unfortunately. The first trip to the range consisted of about 100 rounds down range and quite frankly I couldn't even hit the paper at 7 yards. I've never had such a poor experience with any other guns I've shot/owned.

When I got home I performed a thorough cleaning and noticed something that didn't look right. The barrel appears to have an inconsistent machining where the bullet exits the barrel. There are also what appear to be scrapes in the barrel also that lead up to the end of the barrel.

I didn't notice any of this when I purchased the gun new from Turner's last month. Unfortunately, because I ordered it without seeing it first I didn't get a chance to inspect it. When I finally picked it up from Turner's I had been waiting in line for so long that I didn't spend any time checking out the condition of the gun. I just assumed (wrongly) that it would be a perfectly new gun.

Does anyone have any experience with these markings on the barrel? I've looked at all of my other guns (none are S&W) and all of them are perfectly round and smooth with no markings inside the barrel.

These markings and the horrible accuracy that I've experienced thus far make me think that this gun might need to be looked at by S&W.

 

[RobzGuns]

Unfortunate that your 1st post has to be due to a negative experience.
Call S&W CS and see about sending it in. They'll make it right.

I'm guessing that from here on out, no matter how long you need to stand in line, you'll always do an inspection before filling out the forms.

 

[Flyordie]

Looks like a poorly done counterbore to try and fix a bad crown. I'd say that could be your issue with accuracy. New barrel is in order me thinks.

 

[frogfrog]

My barrel looks the same as that one. Fortunately mine shoots great

 

[scooter123]

Those marks you are seeing are simply gas trails produced by the bullet exiting the barrel, there is an instant in time when the bullet just exits gases are diverted to form a star shaped pattern of jets. As even as those gas trails are it's an indication that your barrel is crown perfectly.

As for your accuracy issues, that is simply due to your flinching. Because if you aren't hitting paper at 20 feet the ONLY cause for this is a rather severe flinch. Handguns are not nearly as easy to shoot as the movies would lead us to believe. Because Humans are biologically programmed to flinch in response to a loud noise or a sudden blow, it's called the Startle Response. In addition you have chosen a small handgun with a moderately heavy trigger and these can also take time to become proficient with.

I would suggest that

1) Move your target in to 10 feet or so.

2) Slow down the speed at which you pull the trigger to a crawl.

3) Concentrate on becoming perfectly still and relaxed the instant the gun fires.

Note, when you pull a trigger in super slow motion anticipation will build and it will reveal that you are indeed flinching. Because you will actually find yourself flinching BEFORE the trigger releases because you can't really predict exactly when the gun will fire.

 

[Arik]

Looks like a poorly done counterbore to try and fix a bad crown. I'd say that could be your issue with accuracy. New barrel is in order me thinks.

Counter bored would make the first little bit of the barrel blank....no rifling

 

[JCase]

Try having someone else shoot it to see if they get the same results. At least I would before sending it off. I hate having to part with new toys, lol ((no guns are NOT toys) I'm joking flame throwers off))

 

[Pisgah]

What I see in those photos is a perfectly normal muzzle. I suspect the horrible accuracy is operator-induced.

 

[Mark IV]

In the 2nd and 3rd photo, I'm seeing a noticably rough edge on the land, at the 1:00 o'clock position. Is that what we're looking at here?

 

[Bad_Andy]

I understand the frustration with Turners. I also recently bought my shield at Turners. In the past, I was able to inspect the gun at the store before purchasing. I think they have changed policies, as most stock is kept at a central warehouse. They didn't have my exact serial number available for inspection until my pick up day. I did inspect it very carefully after the 10 day waiting period. Made sure serial number matched my paperwork, and that there were no obvious flaws.

I have been very happy with my shield. The accuracy isn't the same as my favorite full sized pistol, but for a small carry pistol, I am very happy, and my confidence is growing with this gun. After 2 range visits, I have 350 rounds through the gun, and I am liking it more and more. My poor Sig is getting jealous....

Not sure what is causing your problems. I second the suggestion of having someone else try shooting to test accuracy. Maybe the range officer at your local range. He should be able to determine very quickly if there is something wrong with the accuracy of the gun. If something is wrong, I would send it back to S&W, (or maybe Turner's can send it in for you on your behalf).

 

[RPT]

In the 2nd and 3rd photo, I'm seeing a noticably rough edge on the land, at the 1:00 o'clock position. Is that what we're looking at here?

Yes. To me that doesn't look normal at all.

 

[RPT]

Unfortunate that your 1st post has to be due to a negative experience.
Call S&W CS and see about sending it in. They'll make it right.

I'm guessing that from here on out, no matter how long you need to stand in line, you'll always do an inspection before filling out the forms.

Yes lesson learned, however it Turner's if the item is not in stock the forms are filed out sight unseen. Not until you pick up do you see the gun for the first time.

 

[RPT]

What I see in those photos is a perfectly normal muzzle. I suspect the horrible accuracy is operator-induced.

I've shot my fair share of firearms and though I'm not a professional I'm at least an above average shot with every one of my guns.

Not sure how this could be "normal" as none of my other guns have a jagged crown like this and all of them are dead on accurate.

 

[RPT]

Try having someone else shoot it to see if they get the same results. At least I would before sending it off. I hate having to part with new toys, lol ((no guns are NOT toys) I'm joking flame throwers off))

I failed to mention this but the second visit to the range did include a friend of mine. His shots were all over the place also.

 

[Flyordie]

Counter bored would make the first little bit of the barrel blank....no rifling

I know what counterboring is. My 91/30 is counterbored.

My 9mm Shield barrel doesn't look like that at all. It doesn't have that cut into the barrel.

 

[rwsmith]

If this is so.....

Those marks you are seeing are simply gas trails produced by the bullet exiting the barrel, there is an instant in time when the bullet just exits gases are diverted to form a star shaped pattern of jets. As even as those gas trails are it's an indication that your barrel is crown perfectly.

As for your accuracy issues, that is simply due to your flinching. Because if you aren't hitting paper at 20 yards the ONLY cause for this is a rather severe flinch. Handguns are not nearly as easy to shoot as the movies would lead us to believe. Because Humans are biologically programmed to flinch in response to a loud noise or a sudden blow, it's called the Startle Response. In addition you have chosen a small handgun with a moderately heavy trigger and these can also take time to become proficient with.

I would suggest that

1) Move your target in to 10 feet or so.

2) Slow down the speed at which you pull the trigger to a crawl.

3) Concentrate on becoming perfectly still and relaxed the instant the gun fires.

Note, when you pull a trigger in super slow motion anticipation will build and it will reveal that you are indeed flinching. Because you will actually find yourself flinching BEFORE the trigger releases because you can't really predict exactly when the gun will fire.

If it is the shooter I'd recommend dry firing practice at home before going back to the range with it.

 

[rwsmith]

And use....

What I see in those photos is a perfectly normal muzzle. I suspect the horrible accuracy is operator-induced.

And use a rest to see if that affects accuracy..

PS Hickok45 on youtube makes me sick because he can take pocket pistols and hit his 80 yard gong 3 out of four times.
If I had my snub model 10 now I would start shooting VERY close to help analyze what I was doing. As it was I never did that and was always disappointed with my score. I know better now. If something is wrong it doesn't take a whole lot to fix it most of the time.

PPS I agree that the land looks funky and this COULD be throwing you off.

 

[Flyordie]

Ok, this is what my barrel looks like on my 9mm Shield.

Manufacture Date- December 16, 2015.

 

[RPT]

Ok, this is what my barrel looks like on my 9mm Shield.

Manufacture Date- December 16, 2015.

That looks like a much cleaner crown than I'm seeing on mine. Thanks for sharing.

 

[RPT]

Just an update - after seeing the photos S&W is RMA'ing the pistol. Will update the thread once it comes back.