Even when not using a holster - just doing a press check. I've owned probably 50+ handguns in my lifetime.

I have many of them not have the slide completely close back automatically if I pulled the slide back just a tiny bit to see if there was a round in the gun. Even a few 1911s. I've had to just push the slide back that tiny bit manually. Probably at least 10 or more handguns I have owned before did this.

That's the main report - that if you pull the slide back a tiny, tiny bit, it doesn't close itself all the way.

Now, personally, I haven't had any REAL chambering issues with my Shield - either thru pulling the slide back manually or using the slide release.

It's in the Owner's Manual as a lube point......helps to read the manual once in awhile.

It's also a known fact that if you get into hand to hand combat with someone that is using a semi-auto against you the easiest way to disable the gun is to push the front of the slide back just a little. The trick is to do it quick enough before it goes BANG.

I think this is a "Chicken Little" issue...the sky is not falling and the gun will function as intended if properly maintained and used as intended. If it failed to go into battery while firing then maybe I would worry about it. Coming out of battery by manually forcing it to do so is a non issue. A gun should always be carried in a proper fitting holster and this is just one example of the reason why it is important.

I am sure the guy who sent his gun to S&W for this issue will find they say the same thing. If he is uncomfortable with the gun he will have no problem selling it.......
Just my $0.02..........

+10000

Hell, I'd go buy another one right now if I wanted a 2nd one...

Now this is beginning to sound like a Kahr CM9/PM9 thread!

Next thing ya know, someone will tell everyone to squeeze their mag lips, grind down the tip of the slide stop and sand their followers!!!

__________________
JimC

Ouch.

My guns are all lubed according to the manual. I have no issues at all. I am not having the problem. I don't want to have the problem.

That doesn't mean it isn't a problem. And explaining it away isn't going to work for Kahr owners, revolver fanatics and the Glock group.

The idea of a SD gun is that it works. Even in the rain, even after being dropped in the mud, or when pulled out of a drawer after 6 months.

To me, dependable for SD means it will work when not lubed perfectly. If a gun needs a drop of lube to return to battery I think it should have been made to a bit looser tolerance.

That's just my opinion though so don't get all bent out of shape that my opinion doesn't match yours. I come from the military where we took dang good care of our weapons, then went out and subjected them to torture of mud, sand, heat, and neglect. (But then again the M-16 / AR's have a forward assist for this very reason. ) The reason we took good care of them was because our lives depended on them. But the same holds true for your SD gun, your life may be riding on it going bang when you pull it. Do you want a gun that needs a drop of oil in just the right spot to work--- or one that doesn't really care?

Besides, this oil thing isn't proven yet. All we know so far is they do catch out of battery. No doubt that is a bad thing for a life saving tool.

The real source of this problem seems to be the bottom of the slide dragging across the top of the brass.

This same thing exists in a store new but factory fired Shield in a local store.

Two things I suspect are either far too much spring tension in the magazine or that portion of the slide being over sized or roughly finished or both.....

For all who are concerned about the sweeping of his hand, he is an instructor and is using dummy rounds that I made for him for this demo.

Repeated attempts were made to MAKE the Shield or any other M&P fire out of battery and they simply WILL NOT fire unless there is total lock up in the slide and barrel

Randy

PS, there were NO failures in 500 rounds with this Shield in live fire ,only when the demo is exercised does ths condition exist.

Thank you for your Service. I was a M-60 Door Gunner in Vietnam...survived two tours... so I do know a little bit about maintaining a weapon and recognizing a life threatening problem. I still believe this is a non-issue and only time will tell the tale.

And thank YOU for your service!!

I'm not questioning your weapon maintenance at all, but I worry when all the stars have to be in perfect alignment for a self defense weapon to do its job. This just seems too delicate for me. I tried to get one of mine to do it and they won't.

Interesting.....I wonder if the mag springs are to strong or the top round sits to high when inserted into the gun. I've had guns with some overly heavy mag springs that do not exhibit this issue.

It seems to be either in the raised ridge in the slide being to large, the mag spring being to tight or the mag body in the feed lip area being too tall. I'll bet polishing the part of the slide that is dragging on the top round would eliminate this. It may go away with just firing the gun but it can still happen after 1,000rds it seems.

I can make my 25 year old Colt Series 80 do it.

I can also balance a spoon on my nose.

It does not happen without a mag. After I lubed it was hit and miss with a mag in place, and then I really have to use force. I suspect the mag is causing it to happen, but I am with Lee on this. I just think it's a non issue.

lol. I can't do that !

I do the same thing, I am going to try this tonight on my .45 full size M&P when I get home. It may have 250rds through it.
I have a set of Trijicon HD's on order for it, so I am not to worried about the insert.

After I lubed mine, had no issues at all with this happening.

I have to agree with this enitrely

I haven't fired my Shield yet, but I just tested this. Mine will stay out of battery too, even with the mag removed. So much for the thoughts of the mag being out of spec or the mag spring being too tight. Also, I have cleaned and lubed it. Am I worried about it? NO.

Okay Doc, you are an armorer so you can figure this out. Is it maybe due to the double spring recoil assembly? Maybe a tad stiffer spring would solve the issue?

Its a square shaped slide and barrel. Tons of guns are like this.

The rib that on the slide that sits on the first round in the magazine is hanging up on the top round due to the tension. I bet if you polished this and then lubed it it would go away.

No matter what the manuals say, I have always lightly greased my barrels where they make contact with the slide.

Has this "problem" effected any shield as far as reliability? functioning? I will say NO as I have not heard of to many functioning probles with the Shield, Other than Shooter/Ammo induced.
Shoot the weapon and have fun.

Yes, the OP removed his Shield from his pocket and the gun would not fire.

With the slide moved out of battery, it doesn't matter if it is due to a holster, bump against an object or whatever, the gun does NOT return the slide to lock-up and will not fire.

None of mine do this, but for a gun that I will carry on my person that is subject to being bumped and moved, if I have a gun that doesn't return itself to a state that it is able to function, I won't carry it.

This isn't much different than a loose safety that puts itself on sometimes. It's one more thing that sometimes happens and now you have to be sure to check the slide every time you draw the gun.

No thanks.

Without seeing the video, I would guess you are are talking about the slide moving back slightly when hosltering?

My thumb is on the back of the slide while hosltering a gun, no matter which one it is. Never had a problem with the slide coming out of battery if you don't give it a chance in the first place.

__________________
Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

That's what the video shows. A guy pulled his Shield and the slide was stuck back. He shows the slide sticking back time and again as he moves it. Now others are saying their Shield does the same thing.

I checked my M&P's and they don't. If I move the slide back 1/4" it goes forward on its own.

I checked mine and was amazed by how little rearward pressure was required to cause this issue. Even if I holster the gun with my thumb on the back of the slide, whos to say that a little bump here or there througout the day will not be enough to knock the gun out of battery.

I would sure hate to need the gun to go bang and only get a click.

Has anyone heard anything from Smith and Wesson on the issue?

I doubt anyone will know about what causes it until S&W has a Shield in hand and then returns it back to the customer. They're not going to diagnose it over the phone, but hopefully they either get enough of them in for this issue or just go out to the factory, grab a bunch and see how many do it right off the assembly line. Are there any REPs on this forum that could be contacted?

1. Mine does this too.
2. IMO it is a complete non-issue.

Many autos do this. If you carry in a manner that the slide is likely to be partially retracted you should either carry a revolver or re-evaluate your method of carry. This happens on 1911's, Glocks, AR-15's, etc.

My Shield does it and I’m not concerned. My Ed Brown did this to, when new. If S&W finds this is an issue and wants to fix all Shields like this, fine with me. If not, still fine with me.

If S&W wants the Shields back for a fix, good! perhaps they’ll send us free mag or certificate for a free mag!

Non-issue IMO. Yes, I can make mine do it, but it takes deliberate force. It's NOT going to happen by accident, takes way too much effort to balance it there.

I'll have to check this on mine with a full mag - Just picked it up today for Pete's sake. Doesn't seem to be an issue with an empty mag on mine.

Plan to clean all of the factory gunk out of it and make a trip to the range on or before Saturday. Gotta love a new pistola...

I own 8 M&Ps...two of which are Shields in 9 & 40. ALL of them do it. NEVER had an issue and NEVER noticed it until now. NEVER had any issues with them . But I ALWAYS place my thumb over the back end of the slide when holstering. It's a non-issue. I don't plan on sending them all back to smith. Next topic please.

I agree. This whole thing is cascading on several forums and its just ridiculous

I own 5 M&P's. The only ones I can get to do this is the Shield. I checked 2 in the shop today and they do it. 3 of my friends who have them do it so I suppose this is something S&W knows about? Non issue for me either way.


Whats with the mags being hell to get in when fully loaded? If I download one its fine - a break in issue?

Whats with the mags being hell to get in when fully loaded? If I download one its fine - a break in issue?[/QUOTE]

It's a break in issue. Both of mine did the same thing.

Did you hear whether there was a fix for the battery issue or is Smith stating its within acceptable specs...their usual response.

I have no problem seating either fully loaded mag.

My Shield slide when chambered and magazine loaded stays open when I pull the slide back slightly.


The magazine is really tight to seat when you have a round chambered and I thought there must be vertical pressure applied to chambered round preventing it to return to battery.

I removed the magazine pulled back the slide maybe 1/8th-1/4inch and it came back to battery.

It is obvious when you seat the magazine the gun is super tight.

I really don't see this as an issue. I would rather the gun be tight than loose.

Russ

Now, let's not all let this get out of hand.

First, it has been taught by Massad Ayoob and others for decades that when holstering, you put your thumb over the hammer or the back of the slide to prevent the pistol from opening while holstering.

Secondly, this "condition" can be manipulated to occur on almost any pistol.

Thirdly, in the video shown by the seemingly hapless novice on the other site, he can, without any effort correct the very condition he complains of by merely closing the slide, and without any undue effort, it appears. I am far more concerned about him blowing a hole in his own hand since he repeatedly violates Rule 2 (never point the pistol at anything you do not wish to destroy) and also demonstrates to all that a proper press-check using the slide grasping fish scale grooves is apparently beyond his training at this point.

Fourthly, I believe he said this occurred while in his pocket. Huh? It is unclear if it "just happened," while in his pocket, or upon holstering, or when he "bumped" the pistol. Everyone knows you do NOT EVER re-holster into a pocket holster while the holster is in the pocket. You take out the holster, insert the pistol, and while re-holstering, you make sure the slide does not come out of batter by putting your thumb over the back of the slide or hammer. Then, you put pistol and holster into your pocket as a unit.

Fifthly, if this gent's pocket holster is that tight, he either needs to UNLOAD and do between 50 and 100 forceful insertions and withdrawals from the holster; or, if it his holster is still too tight, then into the trash it goes and he should buy a decent pocket holster.

Finally, this fellow needs to pipe down along with the minions that have followed him on that "other" site and stop referring to this as a "design error" or defective condition. I am sure that these "wanna-be pistol designers" have much experience in the design of a pistol, but there seems to be a lack of ability to show it since there is much hand-wringing in trying to figure out the cause of this "condition" these birds have identified as a condition that S&W needs to be aware of. It is what it is - a condition that for the most part can be manipulated on many different makes and models of pistols.

There is a reason that you do not "ride the slide" when loading a round. Let it go full speed so the slide will not be left partially open. There is just no reason to intentionally put the pistol in this condition and then claim it is a defect. Now, if a little bump on the back of the slide with the open hand will not cause it to close, then fine, send it back. But, as this gent demonstrates in his video, he can at once create the condition he complains of and then immediately correct it. S&W should get kudos for having a safe enough pistol that this guy does not blow his hand off during his little video.

There is no need to get oxygen. Relax and enjoy your S&W Shield.

Mine is 100% and I am not worried at all that it can be manipulated into doing exactly what a great number of other pistols can be manipulated into doing.

Well said. It's time to lock this Thread before it goes on into oblivion.

I've been saying this all day. The "experts" just ignore the few of us that are the voice of reason so they can continue with this nonsense... I predict this stupidity will continue....

Here, Here... I'm done worrying about it. I still like my new little gun & if S&W has something to say they will let us know, until then just enjoy our possible handgun of the year!

__________________
John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

Couldn't have said it better."Chicken Little"issue. Combat Training 101. Grab slide,push back and it's disabled.

Sounds like the "other side" is starting a jealous attack. Surprised it took this long...

Well I posted this here since it's the source of all things S&W. I'm trying to figure it out without even having one in front of me. Hopefully if you read my individual posts, I wasn't trying to start a storm of nonsense.

I'm more interested in what S&W will tell the OP in that other forum weather it be "not an issue" or something else. I still am glad I waited awhile either way since we know how first runs can be. IMO, this is probably a non-issue like I stated before but it's always good to be aware.

wow this is way way out of hand, Simply by drawing the weapon out of the holster would seem to correct this problem (even if this is a problem)espically if you carry IWB. IMO this is a NON ISSUE like other have said this happens to almost all semi autos. My Kimber Pro carry II does this. the gent in the video purposely tried to induce a stoppage of course the weapon is going to be out of battery if you pull the slide reward ward.
lets let it go and enjoy this fine American made weapon

You are correct, saw the video pull out my CC including my PPS, the extractor on the PPS has enough tension that I can move it with my finger, forget it with the SHIELD its way to hard. The SHIELD extractor claw slides up the cartridge if you slide it back with a round in the chamber, when releasing the slide slowly with the cartridge clamp on to it, makes it difficult. Worst case scenario a lighter spring should solve this issue, some wear may clear that issue. We should not have any major concerns.

Watch this video at 7:20 minutes

FRE install.wmv - YouTube

For those of you that are concerned and need to get rid of the gun, I buy defective M&P SHIELDS due to extractors, need two of them my buying price is $299.00 if interested.. I wont pay anymore for a defective SHIELD

Another definition of *expert* ... x + spurt = drip under pressure

They just found an excuse to hate because they were looking for one, as sorry/ridiculous as it is.

Please be patient as I am flooded replying to PM's with people wanting to sell their SHIELDS

You people crack me up!!!

[QUOTE=Fercho64;136505924]

Fot those of you that are concerned and need to get rid of the gun, I buy defective M&P SHIELDS due to extractors, need two of them my buying price is $299.00 if interested.. I wont pay anymore for a defective SHIELD[/QUOTE


LOL. I will also buy all your defective Shields for $299.....then turn around and sell for $499 each.

IT'S NOT A DEFECT. Get over it!!!!!!!!

I have been sitting here playing with my shield. Here is what I have found out. When i put the 7 rd mag in and manually move the slide back it will not go into battery sometimes, not always. When i remove a rd from the mag and move the slide back it goes back into battery everytime. When i use the 8 rd mag fully loaded and try this it goes back into battery everytime. Seems to me that the 7 rd mag being so tight when inserted into the gun is the problem. Maybe, check it out see what you think. I can load 8 rds into the 8 rounder with my fingers, but CANNOT get 7 rds into the 7 rounder with my fingers have to use a uplula to get the 7th rd in.

Actually 2 of the 7 places you should lubricate with one drop of oil are the front and rear of the barrel (consult your owners manual) when the weapon is fired the slide moves across both the front and rear of the barrel, and this movement causes friction and without some lubrication causes wear on both parts, a slight film of oil is much smaller than sand or dirt and allows the free movement of the slide and also will catch such debris so when you do clean your weapon they will be easily removed!

__________________
59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

I don't have a 7 rd mag...traded it for a 8 rd. mine still does it. Like I said in a previous post all my M&Ps do it. Whether I have a full or partial mag all I have to do is push the slide back and it does not go back to full battery. It does need some force to do it but it's not a defect. I have holstered and unholstered my M&Ps 1000s of times and have never had this problem...I have to manually and consciously force it replicate it. If your holster forces your firearm out of battery...YOUR HOLSTER IS THE PROBLEM NOT YOUR FIREARM!!!

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This thread is still going? Please lock as IQ's are dropping from it

I would certainly get in on this too. Especially for anyone that is in-state in FL.

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