.45 Shield problem

[outflyin]

I have had firing pin drag on more than one of my pistols with no problems.

 

[OldGoat]

Geez. Was "considering" acquiring a .45 M&P Shield until reading the inherent problems discussed here...no way! Will just stick with 9mm. Thanks for the education...for sure.

 

[RSBH44]

Geez. Was "considering" acquiring a .45 M&P Shield until reading the inherent problems discussed here...no way! Will just stick with 9mm. Thanks for the education...for sure.

Meh, this is a very small cross section of Similar issues Compared to the thousands of .45 M&P shields sold. I've had mine for a little over a year now and I haven't had Any issues with it at all.

 

[benf1]

Got a shield 45 about 3 years ago.At first, I did have an issue with one of the mags backing out some but it still cycled. S&W sent some new followers, easy fix and problem solved. I have put 750 rounds through it with various fmj and jhp without any problems. In fact, it shoots soft, is very accurate with great fit and finish for what it is. I would get another in a heartbeat.

 

[outflyin]

I agree. I think they work well for a lot of people. I think it is a combination of large caliber, compact size and different people's hand size and strength. My hands aren't small but they aren't huge either and my grip strength isn't what it used to be. I think the 45 Shield is probably pushing the limits of how small a 45 can be and still work well for a lot of different people.

Mine functions flawlessly with Remington Golden Saber and Remington Ultimate Defense so that's all I use in it. That's a small compromise to have what I've been looking for so long: the most comfortable carry-able, compact 45 I could find.

 

[OldGoat]

Well my Colt 1991A1 Combat Commander in .45 runs great...9mm Shield is good backup. Can get by without .45 Shield.

 

[outflyin]

That's it, whatever works. We're all different. I like my Ruger LC9 when the 45 Shield is too big.

 

[swsig]

Geez. Was "considering" acquiring a .45 M&P Shield until reading the inherent problems discussed here...no way! Will just stick with 9mm. Thanks for the education...for sure.

Most of the above posts were from three years ago. The issues reported have not occurred recently with the Shield 45. I had some initial failures to feed after I bought my Shield 45 in February, 2017. These were completely remedied with redesigned followers that S&W sent to owners in November of 2017. I've shot 4,200 rounds since with zero problems.

As to "striker drag", I wasn't even aware of it until there was an extensive discussion of it on the SIG Talk Forum. The conclusion after many posts was that it is a complete non-issue. As it turns out, both my Shield 45 (7,600 total rounds) and my M&P 40c (15,900 total rounds) have striker drag, yet they've been totally reliable and it has not affected their performance in any way. Check out the attached photo. Shells from my Shield 45 are on the left. Shells from my M&P 40c are on the right. (The ones in the middle are from my SIG P320.) The striker drag from both S&Ws is extensive, but with 23,500 problem-free rounds between them, I'm convinced that it's normal, and it doesn't mean a thing.

I also own a Shield 9 with 5,800 rounds though it. After renting a Shield 45, I was so impressed, I immediately bought one. My Shield 9 has mostly been on the shelf ever since, because my Shield 45 is so much more accurate. I suggest renting a Shield 45 and judging for yourself.

 

[rubiranch]

Glad to hear its an old problem.

I'm going to buy a new Shield 2.0 .45 today.

 

[kannonvaggon]

My Shield .45 also will make some " strange " markings on the brass... but it ALWAYS goes bang when it's supposed to.

I still use the .45 Shield as my EDC and it has been a gem. I have never once wished I had kept my 9mm Shield. I do sometimes wish these little devils had the material and quality build of my previous S&W 659 pistol, but I do NOT miss the heavy beast as far as operational sweetness.
The Shield is actually more accurate and satisfying for ME and FAR nicer to carry. Never had any malfunction type issues at all, even wet and dirty and nasty. My only problem is I don't SHOOT enough these days!

 

[Survivor87]

I was glad to see this thread resurrected. I just purchased a PC Shield 2.0 45, 4" barrel. I was so stoked to get it, and after the first round was fired, the slide locked and the following round failed to load. I ejected it by racking the slide. Fired another round, and the same thing. This went on through the first 2 mags. I've never had a problem with any of my S&W guns, and Shield 9 has been flawless.

I was reading up on this thread, others, and looking on youtube and apparently this is a problem. Ugh.

I tried a thorough cleaning and oiling, including both factory mags (which are the newer version), and still getting the same issues with all types of ammo.

THe rounds seem to be hanging up, and I noticed on a couple of them that the side of the casing was scratched, like the ramp may be catching on the round as it leaves the magazine and before it loads into the barrel.
Any additional suggestions are welcome but it looks like my new shield is going back to SW for a repair.

 

[swsig]

I was glad to see this thread resurrected. I just purchased a PC Shield 2.0 45, 4" barrel. I was so stoked to get it, and after the first round was fired, the slide locked and the following round failed to load. I ejected it by racking the slide. Fired another round, and the same thing. This went on through the first 2 mags. I've never had a problem with any of my S&W guns, and Shield 9 has been flawless.

I was reading up on this thread, others, and looking on youtube and apparently this is a problem. Ugh.

I tried a thorough cleaning and oiling, including both factory mags (which are the newer version), and still getting the same issues with all types of ammo.

THe rounds seem to be hanging up, and I noticed on a couple of them that the side of the casing was scratched, like the ramp may be catching on the round as it leaves the magazine and before it loads into the barrel.
Any additional suggestions are welcome but it looks like my new shield is going back to SW for a repair.

The Shield 45 has precious little room inside the magazine well between the tip of the bullet and the feed ramp. With my 45, I've discovered that the cartridges must be fully seated to the back of the magazine. If they are allowed to protrude even slightly from the rearmost position, they can catch on the feed ramp, and create the jam you've described. When I load my cartridges, (I use an Uplula loader, BTW), I make sure they're fully seated by feeling for a slight "click". The click coincides with the inability to push the cartridge any further into the magazine. Try this and see if it cuts down on your mis-feeds.

I also hand polish the upper and lower feed ramps with a mild car polish each time I clean my 45. I apply with a Q-tip, and buff with a cleaning patch. I don't know how much this helps, but the ramps are nice and slick when I finish, so it couldn't hurt.

You said the problem occurs with different types of ammo, so I'll assume out-of-spec ammo can be ruled out.

Another possibility is that the upper and lower feed ramps are misaligned. They should form one continuous surface. You can check for this with your slide locked back. If the upper ramp is protruding or recessed in relation to the lower ramp, that could be the source of your problem. That will require a trip back to the factory to fix.

A remote possibility is that you have a burr on back of your magazine well that is pushing your magazine too far forward. So check your well visually and by feel. That's probably a factory repair, too, unless you're really handy with a Dremel.

Don't give up on your Shield 45. S&W has very good customer service and will work with you to make it right. I've had mine over three years and have put 7,600 rounds through it. It has been very reliable and amazingly accurate, so it's a keeper. Good Luck!

 

[Buzzzer]

As far as what you call "striker drag" take a look at the slide where the firing pin comes out to hit the primer. It's supposed to do that (exactly why I have no clue) as the firing pin hole is not perfectly round. There is a small "bevel", if you will, at the bottom of the hole. I've had no ill effect of this. As a matter of fact I kind of like it. As long as no-one else is shooting a 45 shield it's easy to know which brass is mine!