Rastoff
US Veteran
This would be a good idea if the chamber had been damaged or destroyed. It would show a potentially overloaded round in that lot.
In this case however, the chamber is intact. In my opinion, this can only be the fault of the gun.
.40 Shield Kaboom
- Thread starter LieutenantFF
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In this case however, the chamber is intact. In my opinion, this can only be the fault of the gun.
Would it be a good idea for Shield owners to load the chamber with a snap cap, cock it, and manually push the slide O.O.B. to a few different lengths to see if the trigger will release the striker? Is that a valid test?
This is wonderful, I have been gaining more confidence with my shield and now i read this and some say it is a design flaw, i am glad the OP is OK. I was hoping to start using my shield for carry but now wonder if i should even shoot it! probably have to stay with my Glock 26 until this gets sorted.
S&W most likely will replace the pistol and reimburse you for medical bills. You can also file against W-W and S&W in small claims court and hope they fail to answer your complaint. That three attorneys showed no interest is telling; they would have been enthusiastic had you lost a good portion of your shooting hand or an eye. Maddening, yes, but it's good to know you didn't take serious injuries.
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I am glad your injuries were not severe. I hope that you keep us posted on the ultimate resolution.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Replace the gun? Maybe. Reimburse for medical? Unlikely.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I have not heard of a 9mm doing this. Nor have I heard of it in any of the full size or compact guns.
feelinlucky
Member
I'm glad that the OP's injuries are not serious.
According to the OP, the bullet made it to the target.
The gun launched that bullet to a decent velocity and cycled the slide. It could have been partially out of battery, but it could just as well have been an in-battery case rupture from excessive chamber pressure, like maybe from a double charged round.
Lets not start a lynch mob for Smith and Wesson just yet.
According to the OP, the bullet made it to the target.
The gun launched that bullet to a decent velocity and cycled the slide. It could have been partially out of battery, but it could just as well have been an in-battery case rupture from excessive chamber pressure, like maybe from a double charged round.
Lets not start a lynch mob for Smith and Wesson just yet.
Rastoff
US Veteran
If it fired in battery, and the chamber was not damaged, then nothing would have happened to the user or gun.
ginzo
Member
To me that is at least a valid question. I would try that just out of curiosity if I had a shield.
To the OP, glad your GTG, and thanks for what you do.
To the OP, glad your GTG, and thanks for what you do.
I just tried to Dry-fire mine at various positions from in battery to all the way out of battery and unless the slide was FULLY closed no bang, which is good.
I only have about 200 rds through my 40 Shield but it has been perfect and very accurate.
I only have about 200 rds through my 40 Shield but it has been perfect and very accurate.
peterthefish
Member
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Not completely. Most locked breach firearms the breach will still be locked for the initial rearward portion of slide movement. Even if the strike releases while the slide is 1/8" back it's likely still in battery.
As the breach unlocks the firing pin moves vertically out of alignment with the chamber / primer. A stuck firing pin can cause an OOB event as the barrel is locking into the slide, but in a standard locking pistol much is made of OOB events where the trigger releases the striker when the slide is slightly back but the breach is still locked.
Let me be the first to ask for some photos of the remaining ammo / box / lot number? This could be an ammo problem - be kind to your fellow shooters.
cmj8591
Member
Smith is going to tell you that the gun performed just how it is supposed to when you have an overpressure round. My bet is that this is an ammo issue not a gun issue. The barrel did not burst and the slide remained in tact. When the gas from the round escaped, it was directed downward towards the magazine well and away from your face. Usually in cases like this the magazine get ejected. If this were a steel frame gun, it is likely that it would be salvageable. My advise to you, for what it's worth, is forget about law suits. Send the gun back for replacement. Call Winchester and give them the lot number of the ammo you were using. If you have any left over, don't use it. Most likely, Winchester will advise you to return it to where it was purchased and exchange it. This is a rotten thing but it is a risk that we all accept as part of our shooting hobbies and it has been happening since guns were first invented. Learn the lessons that come from this, share it with others who enjoy shooting and move on. You did everything right. The design engineers at Smith did everything right. Somewhere along the line, the manufacturing system, in the course of making billions of rounds, failed and the law of averages fell on you. Maybe this would be a good time for you to buy some lottery tickets?
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cmj8591
Member
And, at the risk of sounding redundant, ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION!!!!!!!!!
pibulloncrack
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cmj8591
Member
That is (was?) a 45. The ammo was Federal 230fmj.
oldIrish
Member
To the OP, very glad it wasn't worse. A lot to be learned and I value the input of the wide variety of forum members. A Shield40 is my EDC.
Other than the tight spring issue, it has been flawless. This is not the hobby/interest to become complacent and these threads remind me of that. Look forward to the rest of the story.
Other than the tight spring issue, it has been flawless. This is not the hobby/interest to become complacent and these threads remind me of that. Look forward to the rest of the story.
returning ammo
No-He cannot return it to where it was purchased, they will not and should not take it back. Win is responsible for any ammo issues not the local vendor.
It would be nice to weigh 10 cartridges, then another 10, and so on and compare them for differences in charge weight. Unfortunately this falls down when you consider variation in the weight of case and/ or bullet may be greater than a "double" charge of powder. I have no idea what win uses 5-10gr per round???.
OP: Glad you are healing, and it was not worse. I would believe win will refund/exchange ammo though I do not believe you will ever know real "results" unless there would be a recall. Hopefully one of the companies will pay for your losses- gun,ammo, medical,work, peace of mind. Thank You for sharing the info of the event with out "drama". Anger/Fear have their place, but not when relating facts. Be Safe,
No-He cannot return it to where it was purchased, they will not and should not take it back. Win is responsible for any ammo issues not the local vendor.
It would be nice to weigh 10 cartridges, then another 10, and so on and compare them for differences in charge weight. Unfortunately this falls down when you consider variation in the weight of case and/ or bullet may be greater than a "double" charge of powder. I have no idea what win uses 5-10gr per round???.
OP: Glad you are healing, and it was not worse. I would believe win will refund/exchange ammo though I do not believe you will ever know real "results" unless there would be a recall. Hopefully one of the companies will pay for your losses- gun,ammo, medical,work, peace of mind. Thank You for sharing the info of the event with out "drama". Anger/Fear have their place, but not when relating facts. Be Safe,
cmj8591
Member
In the case of the gun that I posted the photo of, it was a police gun. We had about 15k rounds of the Federal ammo on hand which we decided was not worth taking a chance with. The vendor took it back and swapped it for Winchester and then he returned it to the Federal distributor and was reimbursed. I don't know if it would be handled the same way for a civilian with only a small amount of ammo. And I don't know if it was just the vendor attending to customer service. As for weighing your factory loads, I'm not sure what that would accomplish as the factory loads by volume not weight and there tends to be more weight variation from charge to charge than you think. Add that to your scales margin of error and I think the weights would be all over the place.
modraker
Member
Yes, yes, lot number please. I have 450 rounds of WWB left that I'd like to use up. Although I believe it could be the gun that caused the mishap, I don't want to take any chances.
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2001gmc
Member
WOW! Not another 40 Shied Kaboom. This is the 3rd one I know of including mine. I'm really glad your ok. I feel you pain. I strongly urge you to read my Shield 40 Mishap thread before you send in anything. May I ask what your serial# starts with? Like the first 3 letters or numbers.
BigCityChief
Member
I am happy that you were not injured seriously. Please keep us posted on your situation.
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