I've read a thread or two talking about instances of the MP .40 Shield blowing up on people. I have one and have about 400 rounds through it. Should I be worried? I really love this gun but would hate to get hurt or it failing on me since its my primary CCW.
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MP Shield .40 blowing up???
- Thread starter savios27
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Blowing up???
With a bad reload or a squib round any gun can 'blow up'. I think if there's a problem with the .40 is that the frame is a bit light for that round because it was designed for 9mm and have been known to break after hard use. I'm sure part of it depends on the type of rounds shot through it. Maybe somebody with some authority will come by to verify this
With a bad reload or a squib round any gun can 'blow up'. I think if there's a problem with the .40 is that the frame is a bit light for that round because it was designed for 9mm and have been known to break after hard use. I'm sure part of it depends on the type of rounds shot through it. Maybe somebody with some authority will come by to verify this
robkarrob
Member
I have a Shield 40 and I no longer shoot it, due to the chance it might "Blow Up".
If you believe that after a few reports of a "Kabooms", that were mostly results of ammunition, that you need to worry about shooting the gun, then sell it.
My first sentence is totally false about no longer shooting my Shield 40. I shoot it often and use very high powered SD ammunition, without a single problem since May 2012. I would bet that every gun model made has had some type a major failure while shooting, due to an ammunition issue. The manufacturers can not design a gun to withstand over powered, over pressured ammunition, that is unless you don't mind lugging around a 20 pound gun.
The Shield 40 was designed and manufactured properly. As long as you use commercial manufactured ammunition that meets SAMMI specification, go out and shoot your 40, and forget about the "Blow Ups and Kabooms".
PS: I have no authority around here !
Bob
If you believe that after a few reports of a "Kabooms", that were mostly results of ammunition, that you need to worry about shooting the gun, then sell it.
My first sentence is totally false about no longer shooting my Shield 40. I shoot it often and use very high powered SD ammunition, without a single problem since May 2012. I would bet that every gun model made has had some type a major failure while shooting, due to an ammunition issue. The manufacturers can not design a gun to withstand over powered, over pressured ammunition, that is unless you don't mind lugging around a 20 pound gun.
The Shield 40 was designed and manufactured properly. As long as you use commercial manufactured ammunition that meets SAMMI specification, go out and shoot your 40, and forget about the "Blow Ups and Kabooms".
PS: I have no authority around here !
Bob
I've read "designed for 9mm" twice in the last two weeks here in regard to Shields, but I'd swear when I got mine in 2013, all the reading I did stated they were designed around the .40 S&W. The fact both models were introduced at the same time shows the .40 model wasn't an afterthought, and I can't see how the .40 is a design "compromise."
Rpg
Member
You are probably OK sticking with commercially available ammo.
The 40 is a high pressure cartidge loaded properly.
There is less margin of error than low pressure calibers.
Don't buy ammo because it's the baddest you can find.
If the 40 is any good at all, it's good with hum drum ammo.
If you want more, get a 45acp (a better caliber and low pressure to boot).
Just my opinion, of course.
The 40 is a high pressure cartidge loaded properly.
There is less margin of error than low pressure calibers.
Don't buy ammo because it's the baddest you can find.
If the 40 is any good at all, it's good with hum drum ammo.
If you want more, get a 45acp (a better caliber and low pressure to boot).
Just my opinion, of course.
OP, I have not heard about any kabooms the past few weeks. I am wondering if it was a bad batch that was going kaboom. I personally have no interest in the 40 shield. 1 because of possible kabooms and 2. Because I dislike 40 s&w caliber. Lots of people love them though and swear by them.
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Keep shooting it. If it blows up, let us know. I would not worry, however.
Fishinfool
Member
When ever I hear about a "Ka-boom", the first thing I think is bad ammo, usually a reload. Unless there is a fundamental flaw in the design of a weapon, which would be plastered all over the net in short order - It almost always the ammo, or an obstructed bore.
Larry
Larry
mustangman
Member
Not something I'd personally worry about at this time. The last time I recall this being brought up was a few months ago, and an actual reported problem, months before that. I would imagine in that 6-8 month window that there has been a lot of Shield .40s sold, and a whole lot of rounds fired. If something does happen, you can bet it'll find its way here.
tbgunner88
Member
My M&P Shield 9mm blew up the first of December shooting Winchester 115 gr. ball ammo. These were not +P loads and the last round in the magazine blew the side out of my Shield. S&W claims it was a hot load and won't do anything as of now. As for me, I'm not a S&W fan for anything.
Wow, I hope you weren't injured from that. I have a shield 9, but it really makes you wonder about them, considering most are used for carry, including mine.
If S&W will give you a letter to that effect (especially if they've ruled an obstructed bore out), your next move should be to contact WW, giving lot numbers from the box.
The very, very occasional double charge can exist. We've found the ammo makers very helpful in those cases. [we do buy a lot of ammo.]
I don't do my own reloading and don't buy anything but commercial ammo by reputable companies. I guess, Ill keep blasting away with my .40 SW Shield. It gets better every time I take it to the range now that it is starting to break in. I'll let you all know if it ever goes kaboom and I live to tell about it....LOL
greybeard43
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Seems to me that every blow-up has one thing in common. Winchester ammo.
Nah, mine blew up in Feb of 2013 using some old factory loaded glaser safety slugs. They were the self defense round with the blue plastic tip. Corbon bought out that company. At a reduced cost I bought a .40 replacement from S&W but decided to sell it and get another 9mm like my wife's. It was more of a peace of mind thing for me.
I come back to this forum every once in a while and see kaboom threads from time to time but its always the .40 and never the 9 (unless I missed one of those reports?). If its always reloads and double charges then wouldn't you see more 9mm kabooms for the same thing if they sell more of that caliber??
There are going to be a lot more people that have not had one blow up compared to those that have so obviously a majority of the posters will be singing the praises of the gun. I know one thing, after one blows up on you it changes your mindset in a hurry! Having said that I love the gun and plan to still carry the 9mm version.
Off the top of my head, I will say that Winchester is the only main line factory that have been implicated in a Kb. The others have been reloads, underwood, etc.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
I had over 5K rounds of .40 S&W in the ammo closet when I bought my Shield, and then my M&P 40 Compact. I now have less than 3K rounds in the closet, with about the same round count through each. Winchester, Federal, Remington, Fiocchi, etc. Both run like the proverbial Singer sewing machine.
Now, I'm not a fan of long range sessions with the Shield, but it's been a great pistol. The grip frame is perfect for my hand.
Now, I'm not a fan of long range sessions with the Shield, but it's been a great pistol. The grip frame is perfect for my hand.
I read a while back that they were having problems with some Shield 40s lighting off rounds slightly out of battery. Which would without a doubt stress the back of the case and cause a potential blow out situation. In fact I'm sure I've read at least one or two posts on here about guns FRB'ing. They were old posts though. One guy wrote a kaboom post on a Shield 40 and when he posted the pictures the gun clearly lit the cartridge off out of battery. There was a good bit of case sticking out the back of the chamber and every bit of exposed brass had blown away. There was just a tiny sliver at the top of the case holding the case head on still and the gun was completely destroyed. As everyone else has said this is few and far between but it does happen. Reading all the posts and internet hoopla made me decide to purchase the Shield 9 last year just to avoid any issues.
jonesy814
Member
So you don't like S&W because hot ammo blew your gun up and they won't fix it free? Why should they? S&W didn't make the ammo.My M&P Shield 9mm blew up the first of December shooting Winchester 115 gr. ball ammo. These were not +P loads and the last round in the magazine blew the side out of my Shield. S&W claims it was a hot load and won't do anything as of now. As for me, I'm not a S&W fan for anything.
