recoil guide failure mp shield 9mm

biblenguns · Jul 22, 2015

Hello everyone, I am new here, I have to admit I joined out of frustration.
I recently purchased a 9mm Shield. I was very excited about this gun, I am also retired and on a fixed income. I took my new pride and joy out to do some shooting. The first 80 rounds were great, nice trigger and sights I was consistently hitting a coffee can at 15 yards, which is pretty good for me!
Then I notice a small gun part laying on the table...it was the disk at the end of the guide rod that retains the spring assembly. So I took the slide off to get a look. Cupping my hand as much as I could I caught the assembly just as it came apart.
So I call SW and told them about the problem. They were very concerned and said they would get me a new assembly as soon as they could. The only problem is there were none available.. nor did they know when there would be. It seems that this is not a new problem. This is a pistol that I bought purposely for concealed carry. I have to admit my confidence in this weapon has dwindled and I am in limbo for a replacement part. It has been two weeks now , has anyone else had this problem? As of right now no one makes an aftermarket guide. Thanks for letting me vent...

Bob O · Jul 22, 2015

Do you still have the main recoil spring? If you're interested, I can send you free of charge a stainless steel guide rod that will get you back into business quickly.

I sold my Shield last week to help fund a nice 1911. Just let me know.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/showthread.php?p=138594630

fouldude.44 · Jul 22, 2015

I had the same thing happen to me. Got my new spring yesterday after a 3 week wait and the disk has already worked loose on it after 100rds. The first one went 250. I ordered the SS guide rod this morning to try. Its a shame!

swsig · Jul 22, 2015

Sorry to hear of your problem, and welcome to the clubs.

Club #1: The Smith & Wesson Forum, a great club.
Club #2: The Shield Messed-Up Recoil Spring Assembly Club, a not-so-great club.

I, too, am a member of both clubs. My Shield came with a badly bent RSA retainer disc, which I discovered before I'd fired one shot. S&W promised me a new one, but had none to send. I've been waiting seven weeks now. Fortunately for me, the assembly has held together and my Shield has continued to function well enough for me to have put 900 rounds through it.

Cheers to Bob O for offering you a replacement guide rod. I hope you're up and running soon!

biblenguns · Jul 22, 2015

very generous

I would like to thank Bob O for his help, that was really unexpected. This is a great forum and thanks for the replies and help!!

j38 · Jul 22, 2015

I had ~ 500 rounds through my Shield and the spring "left" the guide rod while I was cleaning it with a toothbrush. I'm on week #5 since I called the service dept. about the problem. I'm now told I should get a replacement next week. Do I understand that there is a better alternative than the spring and rod "assembly" that comes standard with the pistol? ... maybe a separate guide rod and spring like other semi-autos I own. As a side note - on my original call they didn't even want the gun's serial number when I called. I assume this problem is common enough they aren't even interested in identifying the # range of pistols affected.

Jerry

Bob O · Jul 23, 2015

No problem., glad to help. Hate seeing people have problems like this.

Sigsavvy · Jul 23, 2015

I never had the kinds of issues listed here but I had an RSA that would bind up my slide and prevent it from being cycled all the way back. This would cause no end of problems in trying to reassemble after cleaning, etc. I called S&W and the initial response was "shoot it a bunch". After explaining that I didn't feel comfortable with an RSA that would cause the slide to hit a hard stop before fully cycling they offered to send me a replacement RSA. Took over a couple of months I think.

Similarly, they didn't ask for s/n or any proof that I was the original owner, etc. The replacement RSA looks exactly like the original but does not cause the issue I had so I'm pretty happy.

I've said several times that the RSA is the weak link in this design. A properly advertised after market replacement should be an incredibly popular item I would think. I'm def going to pick one up soon.

Prasko · Jul 23, 2015

Are you sure you guys are seating it correctly when putting it back together?

Just a question.

swsig · Jul 23, 2015

Prasko said:
Are you sure you guys are seating it correctly when putting it back together?

Just a question.

I'm excruciatingly careful about seating the RSA, but since mine came damaged out of the box, someone at S&W wasn't.

fjweems3 · Jul 24, 2015

Who makes an aftermarket guide rod? Springs available at Wolff?

texmex · Jul 24, 2015

Another example of why autos are a passing fad.

TN-Bodyguard · Jul 24, 2015

Same here. Really like the gun but have the same issue with the recoil spring. I called Smith & Wesson and they said they would send a replacement, but that I should be patient because they are on back order.

Does any company sell replacement springs for the Shield?

HappyPuppy · Jul 24, 2015

fjweems3 said:
Who makes an aftermarket guide rod? Springs available at Wolff?

http://ssguiderods.com/product-category/smith-and-wesson/

fjweems3 · Jul 24, 2015

HappyPuppy said:
Smith and Wesson Products - Stainless Steel Guide Rods

The link doesn't work. Takes me to a page that says not available.
Had to change browsers, won't work in Chrome, just fine in Explorer. I thought the days of browser compatibility problems was gone.

Bob O · Jul 25, 2015

Don,

Tracking shows delivered! I sent you a PM with link to a vid that might guide you with the install.

Bob O · Jul 25, 2015

texmex said:
Another example of why autos are a passing fad.

LOL!!!! I'd love to get a nice large caliber revolver some day, but semi-auto pistols are the cats @ss!

biblenguns · Jul 25, 2015

Bob, got the guide, the video was very helpful. After a comedy of errors which included an intensive search around my cellar for the little washer and spring that got launched twice, I finally managed to get it together! Took the gun out to the range and it performed flawlessly! I only put 50 rds through it but it worked great, the felt recoil was no different.
I don't understand why SW didn't use this system in the first place. Again thank you for your help!!

Bob O · Jul 25, 2015

Good to hear, Don...I'm glad to help anyone I can.

Saudade · Jul 25, 2015

I have a few hundred rounds through my Shield with no problems so far.

The RSA is pretty fussy about reassembly. Sorry yours exploded. Hat's off to Bob O for stepping up.

recoil guide failure mp shield 9mm

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