My new MP Shield 9mm is 6 weeks old and I have been to the range four times, firing so far a total of about 500 rounds. In cleaning it this week, the recoil spring jumped off and across the room into a closet because the front tab or screw or whatever it is that holds the spring on the guide rod, came off and it hasn't been found since. So here I sit with my useless new Shield and S&W tells me they are on backorder and "should" be in in "about" 2 weeks.

Is this a common problem with the Shield? If so I think I'll get rid of it and find something similar that will not come with an ongoing defect.

Thanks.

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Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that this happened to you.
If you scan this Sub-Forum, you'll see dozens of RSA related threads. It's happened to a Dozen or so members... It's not an epidemic (anything worthy of recall status, like the Glock Gen4 RSA issue a few years ago).

S&W CS has been sending out replacements (apparently in batches), so it may only be out of service for a Week or Two, or for a Month or Two.
If you can't wait... Check G&R Tactical, to see if they have any in stock, but they require a minimum order of $50 (you need anything else they might have?).

Good luck in your search.

I don't have a Shield but I have read this is a common problem with them.

I'd probably try one of these - Stainless Steel Guide Rods - Sig Glock Beretta SS Guide Rods

don't know how "common" this defect is, but it has been reported by several members.
don't give up on the shield yet, it is a great gun.

I think for most, the bigger frustration is that S&W does not have replacements readily available.

Yes, the absence of timely availability of replacements is an annoyance already. I wonder if I should order a second one just in case.

Regardless, as a handgun newbie, thanks for your help, guys. I never expected so many kind responses so quickly.

Be careful when ordering from G&R. Double check everything. The description and part number did not match up, so I've got $50 worth of 9/40 Compact springs instead of Shield. Too much of a hassle to send back and take the restocking hit they want, so they'll be a karma one of these days.

Considering the number of Shield's S&W has sold, I don't think it is a "common" problem, but it is not unheard of.

I've had my Shield for just over a year and have about 500 rounds through it. I didn't count the dryfires and field strips I've done on it but it's a lot.

No issues with my RSA. Yes, it was stiff as all get out, hard to rack, yada yada at first. Still pretty stiff but much easier to rack now.

I've seen a few people have this issue on this forum. Due to this I always check the end of the RSA when I have the slide locked back. Just making sure it doesn't seem loose or look like it's backing out. So far so good but I do keep an eye on it.

I recently looked at a shield at a local pawn shop. Pistol was used but in excellent condition, but when I tried to rack the slide, it would hang up about 1/2 way. Finally got it back and striped it down to see that the recoil spring was almost about to work it's way off the front of the rod. Opted to pick up a new one at my LGS and it's stiff, but smooth racking. (Absolutely love my shield!) No feeling like the slide is hanging up on anything. Just curious... Did your pistol ever have any hang ups before the RSA failed? I'm new to this forum btw, and sorry I can't post anything that would be of any help to ya

As someone who waited a long time for a replacement RSA, if it happens again I will ask CS for a return shipping label and have a tech track down an RSA from manufacturing. As long as owners self diagnose this issue, and S&W gets off cheap with the fix, then a proper redesign will not happen. If every failed RSA weapon is FedExed back to CS, and the tech's log manhours to fix this fault, eventually they might fix the design. Ford was happy with exploding Pinto's until the courts lowered the profit margin.

I guess it depends on the phase of the moon. I emailed S&W CS through their web site on 10SEP2015 telling them the rear flange on my RSA was bent. Received confirmation that they had received my email and gave me my ticket # on 11SEP2015. Got an email 16SEP2015 telling me they had dropped my RSA in the mail that day. My RSA hit my mailbox today 19SEP2015. Totally embarrassing Happy Dance followed. That is the way it should happen all of the time.