Shield Recoil Spring Fell Apart

mbrittb00 · Mar 18, 2013

Ok, so I took my Shield (40) to the range this weekend for the first time. When I got home I took it apart to clean it, and when I tried to reassemble it (like I did when I first got it). The Recoil spring wouldn't seat on the barrel properly. It was like it was about 1/4" too long. I pressed on the end of the spring (the part that rests against the barrel) a bit, and it would not budge. I took it out to make sure I had inserted it correctly, and the cap on the forward end of the spring broke off.

I called Smith and Wesson this morning, and they are shipping me out a new recoil spring assembly, I was just curious if anyone else has had this same problem.

mbrittb00 · Mar 20, 2013

Does anyone know how to track an order from Smith and Wesson. They gave me an order number, but I can't find any place on their website to check the status?

Maddmax · Mar 20, 2013

mbrittb00 said:
Does anyone know how to track an order from Smith and Wesson. They gave me an order number, but I can't find any place on their website to check the status?

That may be coming by USPS. In that case,the part will be there before you can track it. UPS or Fed-X you should get or already have a tracking code. Look in your junk mail.

hrw4 · Mar 20, 2013

I had a similar problem, but not exactly the same. My recoil spring came apart as well, but it was the exterior spring. Just popped right off. I had taken the gun apart to clean it, set the recoil spring aside and a few minutes into cleaning the gun I hear a "pop" from where I put the spring down. It wasn't moving, nobody was touching it and it had been sitting in the same spot for a few minutes. Very weird. But, Smith and Wesson sent me a new one. It was shipped USPS and arrived in a few days.

mbrittb00 · Mar 20, 2013

Maddmax said:
That may be coming by USPS. In that case,the part will be there before you can track it. UPS or Fed-X you should get or already have a tracking code. Look in your junk mail.

I have not gotten a tracking number (only the order number) so perhaps it is comming USPS. I will check my spam folder just in case. It was kinda strange when I called. I had previously completed the warrante registration for my pistol on the S&W website. When I called in I gave them the serial number (which I would have thought would have brought up all my information), but they still asked me for my address. The rep initally came back and told me it was an invalid address. The first letter of our street is a "D" and he was entering it as a "V". Easy mistake to make over the phone, but still if the address was sitting right in front of him that shouldn't have been a problem.

hrw4 said:
I had a similar problem, but not exactly the same. My recoil spring came apart as well, but it was the exterior spring. Just popped right off. I had taken the gun apart to clean it, set the recoil spring aside and a few minutes into cleaning the gun I hear a "pop" from where I put the spring down. It wasn't moving, nobody was touching it and it had been sitting in the same spot for a few minutes. Very weird. But, Smith and Wesson sent me a new one. It was shipped USPS and arrived in a few days.

How long ago was that. When I called on Monday, they indicated that they were running behind and it might be as long as 2-3 weeks.

Robotech · Mar 20, 2013

mbrittb00 said:
Does anyone know how to track an order from Smith and Wesson. They gave me an order number, but I can't find any place on their website to check the status?

I had the same problem. There seems to be no way to link an account you set up on the website to a phoned-in order number.

The only way I was able to check was to call in again and have the service person look up the order number. In both cases, my parts had finally shipped a day or three before, and arrived a day or so later.

I don't really mind calling them, even if there may be a bit of a wait, as I've always found them friendly and helpful.

hrw4 · Mar 20, 2013

mbrittb00 said:
I have not gotten a tracking number (only the order number) so perhaps it is comming USPS. I will check my spam folder just in case. It was kinda strange when I called. I had previously completed the warrante registration for my pistol on the S&W website. When I called in I gave them the serial number (which I would have thought would have brought up all my information), but they still asked me for my address. The rep initally came back and told me it was an invalid address. The first letter of our street is a "D" and he was entering it as a "V". Easy mistake to make over the phone, but still if the address was sitting right in front of him that shouldn't have been a problem.

How long ago was that. When I called on Monday, they indicated that they were running behind and it might be as long as 2-3 weeks.

I never got a tracking number either. I was actually told over the phone that they won't get a tracking number because it's sent USPS. But, it arrived quickly.

And I had my issue almost a month ago. They didn't mention anything about a shipping delay at the time, but did say that if I were to send the gun in for repair it would be up to 3 weeks.

Bret · Apr 20, 2013

I was disassembling my Shield today prior to cleaning it when, to my complete surprise, the recoil spring shot out and landed in front of me.

I'm guessing that I'm missing a part of a part of a part that broke off. I'll call S&W on Monday.

JMike · Apr 20, 2013

Bret said:
I was disassembling my Shield today prior to cleaning it when, to my complete surprise, the recoil spring shot out and landed in front of me.

I'm guessing that I'm missing a part of a part of a part that broke off. I'll call S&W on Monday.

Yeah, your missing the little black button end that you can see from the front of the gun when the spring is properly seated in the gun.

The exact same thing happened to my Shield 9 after approximately 600 rounds.

I sent an email to Smith with pictures of the spring. They replied the next day stating they would mail a replacement. The replacement arrived in about a week via USPS.

d7velo1 · Apr 28, 2013

Had the same thing happen to my Shield 40.

Outer recoil spring came off the guide rod.

I hadn't even shot the gun yet. Just disassembled it after bringing it home from the local FFL.

After the recoil spring broke, I was a bit disappointed. This gun has never been shot. Brand new, just out of the box.

So, my initial impressions are mixed. I think I'm going to really like the trigger feel. The size, style, and overall feel of the gun is just what I was hoping for after reading many reviews.

BUT, the slide release is very very stiff. I mean so stiff I can't drop it with my thumb. I have stong hands. I'm talking "REALLY? They shouldn't let them out of the factory like this stiff." I realize this should remedy itself after breaking in. S&W claims this is due to the melonite coating on the slide. I see on youtube some guys recommend polishing the slide release tab edge with 1000 grit sand paper.

I will say, S&W customer service was very nice to deal with. I told them my recoil spring / guide rod assembly broke. They asked for my address and are sending me out a new one. They estimate 1.5 weeks to arrive?

snakeye · Apr 28, 2013

When you guys got the replacement back did you notice any improvements to the recoil spring assembly to stop the breaking of them?

Roger S&W · Apr 28, 2013

This problem doesn't render the gun immediately inoperable, right?
Like if the Glock plastic guide rod breaks, you can still shoot the gun.

Lost Lake · Apr 29, 2013

d7velo1 said:
BUT, the slide release is very very stiff. I mean so stiff I can't drop it with my thumb. I have stong hands. I'm talking "REALLY? They shouldn't let them out of the factory like this stiff."

My Shield didn't come with a slide release.

Neither did my other M&P's.

Are you sure yours has a slide release?

I bet yours has a slide lock, a little lever on the left side that you can push up to catch the slide when you don't have a mag in it, or you can use it to drop the slide lock when it has an empty mag and you pull back on the slide.

.

d7velo1 · Apr 29, 2013

Lost Lake said:
My Shield didn't come with a slide release.

Neither did my other M&P's.

Are you sure yours has a slide release?

I bet yours has a slide lock,.....

Ahhh, the great slide lock, or slide release debate?

I'm assuming S&W refers to it as a slide stop?

Thanks for your help with that.

Roger S&W · Apr 29, 2013

If your Shield recoil assy. breaks...is the gun still shootable? Or is it immediately rendered inoperable?

Bret · Apr 29, 2013

d7velo1 said:
BUT, the slide release is very very stiff. I mean so stiff I can't drop it with my thumb. I have stong hands. I'm talking "REALLY? They shouldn't let them out of the factory like this stiff." I realize this should remedy itself after breaking in. S&W claims this is due to the melonite coating on the slide. I see on youtube some guys recommend polishing the slide release tab edge with 1000 grit sand paper.

Personally, I don't mess with slide releases unless I'm manually locking back the slide. If I just want to release the slide after inserting a magazine, I just pull back on the slide and release. This way I don't have to learn the exact finger reach of all the different pistol slide releases.

Roger S&W said:
If your Shield recoil assy. breaks...is the gun still shootable? Or is it immediately rendered inoperable?

When I pulled off my slide everything still appeared captured. It came apart when I started to remove it.

Roger S&W · Apr 29, 2013

Glad to know if your Shield recoil assembly breaks while firing, you can continue shooting.
There are some pistols out there where the end of the spring can pop out the front leaving you with a non-functional gun (and possibly dead)

Der Biermeister · Sep 28, 2013

JMike said:
Yeah, your missing the little black button end that you can see from the front of the gun when the spring is properly seated in the gun.

The exact same thing happened to my Shield 9 after approximately 600 rounds.

I sent an email to Smith with pictures of the spring. They replied the next day stating they would mail a replacement. The replacement arrived in about a week via USPS.

Exactly the same problem when cleaning my gun today. I believe the screw came out at the range. The gun was still completely functional until I disassembled it for cleaning. Missing screw on the muzzle end.

I am hoping I can get this resolved this coming week as I am heading out on Oct 7 for a motorcycle trip and I want my Shield with me.

gonerydin · Dec 12, 2015

Ours broke the same way this week. GF pulled the slide off and the spring assy. came apart. Called S&W CS and they said they would send a new one. Odd the guy only asked my name and address.

Radco · Dec 12, 2015

gonerydin said:
Ours broke the same way this week. GF pulled the slide off and the spring assy. came apart. Called S&W CS and they said they would send a new one. Odd the guy only asked my name and address.

A old thread revived lol,, The RSA problem and question will be forever

WHen I called S&W for my new RSA I had my Shield serial # on hand, All they asked for was my address as well.. You will get if USPS in a few weeks if they are in stock! They are very good at fixing their problems!

Shield Recoil Spring Fell Apart

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