another m&p 40 shield mag drop problem

[cowboyfan628]

UPDATE !!!!!! Just picked up the 40 cal shield they made me a new frame . New serial number had to do background check again. Going to shoot 200 to 250 rounds on monday. I will post monday after shooting. They also told me they would send me two extended mags for my troubles but they were not with the gun. I will be calling them up on that one.

 

[robkarrob]

Keep us posted of your results.

 

[seattle911]

Just another reason to not trust S&W's repair quality and the Shield 40's reliability. We all know not all Shield 40's are having the mag drop issues. But some Shield 40 owners, that never had a problem, are reporting they are having mag drop issue after firing 400 or more rounds. This problem of Shield 40 mag drops has been around since late May. They should have the fix completed by now. You get the repaired gun back and it still drops the mag. How hard can it be to "test" the gun before returning it.

Smith is setting itself up for a large class action lawsuit. This should be a simple solution, but it has been "band aided" for too long. A new deeper holding mag catch release would solve the problem, but most get "dimpled" mags.

Bob

How many of those people having mag drop issues after several hundred rounds dimpled their mags? I was not having any problems but I did this as a precaution and I have had no problems after 2000 rounds fired. Just wondering.

 

[Nomad11]

I have had a S&W Shield 40 for about two months now, and have never had a problem with the magazine dropping while shooting it. However I did have a problem a couple of times when I drew it from a soft sided holster, with the magazine coming loose (not a good thing!). After switching to a Fobus hard sided holster the problem has not repeated.
I have shot about 200 rounds through it, and it is my favorite carry pistol by far.

 

[HotRoderX]

OP for what its worth at least Smith and Wesson is trying to work with you. I have a Glock 17 Gen 4 that suffers from FTF, FTE, and Brass to the face. This is a known issue with Generation 4 9mm Glocks as far as the community goes.

As far as Glock is concerned its not a big deal. Depending on who you get in there CS department. They either require you to send the gun in (You pay shipping) or they will send you the newest revised spring ( there like 9 different ones).

The people I know who sent there's in with the issue got a yellow sticky with it saying "no problem found during testing" This is after waiting a month +.

Most the time Glock is happy to pawn it off on limp wresting (which i cant do I have tried everything I can that's safe to get the gun to fail to eject). They also like to blame weak ammo for the issue. I have seen this issue happen running +P defense ammo.

There are even rumors that a few police departments had so many problems with there Generation 4's that Glock Traded them back in for Generation 3's.

The Glock community did find a 90% fix for the issue. LWD 40caliber extractor seems to remedy the issue 90% of the time. We think what happened was the slide tolerances where changed. The extractor slot tolerance was changed. The 9mm extractor is shaped different then the 40 extractor. What was happening was the 9mm extractor wasn't getting a grip on the brass thus causing the issue.

At least Smith and Wesson is trying to work with you. Glock attitude is we made our sale now leave our reps good enough we don't need you.

Maybe you and some of the guys on the forum can start diagnosing and trying to think up how to fix the issue. Who knows maybe Smith and Wesson will use your idea to fix all the problem pistols out there.

 

[cowboyfan628]

UPDATE. 300 rounds down range today no issues what so ever. I only shot about two or three mags on the 6 shot mag the rest was with the 7 shot mag. They did not send the two 7 shot mags as promised,(for my troubles) so I called them and they shipped them out today. I think I will mark the mags so I know which ones came with the gun just in case any issues pop up.

 

[Dudley.1947]

We purchased two 9mm Shields and received them 10/06/12. We purchased these for self defense. The serial numbers are three appart. We have shot about 75 rounds through each pistol and love the accuracy and the way they shoot.

My wife's gun, especially with the 8 round magazine has experienced FTL, FTE & stove pipe cases which we thought might have been a limp wrist or as someone at the range suggested bad rounds.

We have been to the range twice and expreienced more issues on the second trip. The first trip to the range I had only been able to load by weak fingers both the 7 & 8 round magazines one round short of full. On the second trip I had purchased the UpLula loader and had maxed-out both magazines. We both found especially the 7 round magazine harder to seat, while the 8 round mag seemed to seat, but could be pulled out without touching the release. We chalked this up to guns needing to be broken in and our lack of expreince.

I have just installed LaserGuards on both guns and was on line looking for holsters when I ran across the magazine dropping issues and your thread. This certainly appears to be the issues we are having, so I spent most of this afternoon reading what others have tried just in case there was a simple solution before calling S&W.

The solution of applying some plumber's silicone to the mag release seem a simple thing to try, but I have never been one for applying lube into the magazine area. I took the magazines out and looked down into the magazine wells and saw how the release button worked. I noticed that tab that is to move into the magazine notch was not moving as far into the notch on my wife's gun as on mine. The pins on both guns could be pushed further into the mag notches by pushing the other side(right) of button. I am not sure if the spring needs to be stronger so the mag locking pin moves further into the magazine, if the area needs to be lubed as with the plumber's silicone fix above or if the frame(s) are a little off.

Would you do me a favor and look down into the magazine well on your new frame while pushing the release button to see if it moves freely and if you pushed the right side of the button does the pin move even further into the magazine well thus protruding further into the notch on the magazine?

I also thought the gun owner who thought the magazine spring may be too tight may have hit on one of the issues as well as these are the strongest springs I have encountered.

Thanks very much your thread and your help with this great hand gun.

 

[Dudley.1947]

9mm magazine issues and observations

We purchased two 9mm Shields and received them 10/06/12. We purchased these for self defense. The serial numbers are three appart. We have shot about 75 rounds through each pistol and love the accuracy and the way they shoot.

My wife's gun, especially with the 8 round magazine has experienced FTL, FTE & stove pipe cases which we thought might have been a limp wrist or as someone at the range suggested bad rounds.

We have been to the range twice and expreienced more issues on the second trip. The first trip to the range I had only been able to load by weak fingers both the 7 & 8 round magazines one round short of full. On the second trip I had purchased the UpLula loader and had maxed-out both magazines. We both found especially the 7 round magazine harder to seat, while the 8 round mag seemed to seat, but could be pulled out without touching the release. We chalked this up to guns needing to be broken in and our lack of expreince.

I have just installed LaserGuards on both guns and was on line looking for holsters when I ran across the magazine dropping issues and your thread. This certainly appears to be the issues we are having, so I spent most of this afternoon reading what others have tried just in case there was a simple solution before calling S&W.

The solution of applying some plumber's silicone to the mag release seem a simple thing to try, but I have never been one for applying lube into the magazine area. I took the magazines out and looked down into the magazine wells and saw how the release button worked. I noticed that tab that is to move into the magazine notch was not moving as far into the notch on my wife's gun as on mine. The pins on both guns could be pushed further into the mag notches by pushing the other side(right) of button. I am not sure if the spring needs to be stronger so the mag locking pin moves further into the magazine, if the area needs to be lubed as with the plumber's silicone fix above or if the frame(s) are a little off.

Would you do me a favor and look down into the magazine well on your new frame while pushing the release button to see if it moves freely and if you pushed the right side of the button does the pin move even further into the magazine well thus protruding further into the notch on the magazine?

I also thought the gun owner who thought the magazine spring may be too tight may have hit on one of the issues as well as these are the strongest springs I have encountered.

Thanks very much your thread and your help with this great hand gun.

 

[smc1274]

I'm looking down into.the frame of my .40cal shield and there is definitly a good size ledge formed by my mag retainer and no play while p
ushing from.the other side of the release, all is fine with my particular shiveld, no problems after 200 ends fired through

 

[Dudley.1947]

Thank you SMC1274

 

[jobob]

UPDATE: I shipped my 40 Shield back to the factory and had it back in my sweaty hands 8 days later! I'd say that's a pretty good turnaround! I shipped it with the 2 original mags, and it came back with 3 (an extra short mag). When I first bought this it dropped the mag 5 times during the 1st 8 shots fired. After getting the factory fix I've put maybe 100 rounds through it with zero malfunctions. I am now a happy camper! My hat is off to S&W and the way they took care of this customer.

 

[GKC]

For all you clip and mag freaks that must have it right.
IF the OP said clips or mags you knew what he meant, why be a 5th grade teacher
and point it out when he has a question?

The thing is, the term "clip" is incorrect when referring to a magazine-fed weapon. I understand that when someone is frustrated with a problem happening with a gun and they are asking for help, pointing out incorrect usage of nomenclature won't solve their problem...but, part of being an knowledgeable firearms owner is learning and using correct terminology. Every profession or area of interest seems to have its own terminology, and one sign of expertise is having the vocabulary.

Just because someone has a sign at a gun show or some other venue doesn't mean that "clip" is an interchangeable term with "magazine." You can call a socket wrench a crescent wrench, but it doesn't mean it is one. I for one appreciate learning the correct terms, and I hope to be advised when I am using terms incorrectly.

To the OP: I do hope your gun is fixed. Nothing is more frustrating than to pay good money for something, and it doesn't work correctly. At least S&W is willing to address the problem, unlike some other gun makers.

 

[pacificpt]

Recieved my Shield 40 10 days ago, put 220 rounds through it last Sunday at the range. Everything ran the way it was supposed to. Drawing from a kydex holster in my off duty set up and from my BUG position for patrol duty.

I have several more magazines ordered from S&W. When I have put another 200 rounds through if no problem develops I will replace my current BUG with the Shield. It will be good to have a primary and BUG in the same caliber.

 

[xknightrider]

Got my Shield chambered in .40 for Scottsdale Gun Club in Oct. 2012, finally got around to shooting it 2 weekends ago. On the 3rd pull of the trigger the extended mag dropped. I assumed I hit the release, I did the tap, rack, bang. It fired the 4th round and drops again..this time I really "TAP" the hell out of it, rack and bang..yep drops again. Now I clear the weapon, take the mag out look at the round look inside the gun all looks ok. I take the 6 rd mag and load it, fire 3 rds and it drops. Again stop, and clear the weapon. Now I am sure it MUST be my grip on this smaller gun. So adjust grip and thumbs so there is no way I am getting anywhere near the release, and then begin firing the 7 rnd, on the 2nd pull mag drops and next rnd fails to load.

Now I suspect the ammo, I was shooting some older stuff I had. So I out the gun away, went home. I cleaned it, oiled as directed and bought some premium ammo, Hornaday Crit. Defense, Win Elite, and Federal Hydro's.

Same problem, on the 7 rd mag it dropped every other shot. The 6 rd I never got more than 4 shots, sometimes only 2 and I am sure I am not touching the release with my thumbs or palms.

My serial # starts with HAD11 and was factory test fired on 9-18-2012

Time to call Customer Service I don't trust this weapon to protect my life.

 

[robkarrob]

You are another member of the 40 drop club. Mine was manufactured in early May, and was one of the first to have the problem. I have the S&W "dimpled mags" for the fix to my drop problem. The current factory fix is an improved mag catch. We have seen the mag drop issue on Shield 40's manufactured up until mid October. Since then the problem seems to have been finally corrected. Call S&W and they will issue you a return shipping label. The turnaround time now seems to be two weeks. You will then have a reliable gun.

Bob

 

[xknightrider]

Thanks Bob, I am willing to give them a shot to fix it. I really like the gun and I want to trust it as my primary ccw. I will call in the AM.

 

[xknightrider]

It's back, the paperwork says they "replaced pins", "replaced mag catch" then range tested and meets spec. Only thing was it came back with just the 6rd mag, they forgot my 7rd. So called them and they are rushing me one out and were sorry for the trouble. Now off to the range to verify the fix once the new mag gets here....wish it would have been like jobob ang came back with 3 instead of 1 !!

 

[smithkowitz]

Just picked up a M&P Shield 40 on the 29th and shot it on Jan. 30. I waited since April to get a call for one of these; I was #2 on the waiting list! Guess I am glad it took so long. Mine is serial #HAP and was test fired Jan 7th. I had zero issues with mags. I had one FTF and one FTE in the first mag is shot, and zero further issues for the balance of my 100 round outing. Fabulous weapon, accurate and easy to disassemble and clean as all M&Ps are. S&W service is typically fabulous, I've used them in the past for revolver sight (bad pin job) issues. Issues fixed within 2 weeks there and back. Only once had to send a gun back a second time. That was for a Bodyguard 380 laser issue. As for the Shield, I prefer the 7 round extended mag, I wish they would make an extended 8 rounder. I have a Sig P290 9mm, the Shield is a far better firearm all around.

 

[davegarage]

Please post on your .40 Shield

Hey folks,

Please post serial number range of the .40 Shield you own and have issues

with.

I have HAD19xx. I am going to send it back just because it was shipped in

September of 2012. I have not had any issues with it, but as a precaution, I

will let SW look it over.

 

[ajrut]

Finally a Fix!!!

I have spent the last 3 months or so reading internet forums and watching YouTube videos of the mag drop problem with the .40 S&W Shield, but nothing offered a solution to the problem, with the exception of someone putting nylon tubing into the weapon which somehow manipulated something, but there was no proof it worked. I also have fallen into the category of owners who contacted S&W to try and remedy the problem but was unable to. I finally went to a local gunsmith (Duke at DCF Guns in Castle Rock CO) who was aware of the problem, but had no idea how to fix it. Well after some fiddling around by both him and I, he got a crazy idea. First he said "Get a new mag release part from S&W, if they charge you, I will pay for it." I got on the phone right there at his desk and ordered the part which was free of charge. He then shared his plan. he was going to use the smallest Dremmel bit he had and would remove some of the material from the magazine release in order to allow the release to slide a little bit further into the gun. He removed an extremely small amount of material around the little lip of the magazine release that stops it from sliding completely through the receiver from right to left. It took a few trial and error shots on his range but finally the mag didn't drop. Now, just to be sure, I stayed on his range and went through a little more than 100 rounds as quickly as I could load them up and shoot, and did not have issue. I tried to explain the best I can, and unfortunately I don't have any pictures to show here, but this is the only true fix I've ever witnessed or even heard about. Luckily it was for me.