How old is your Shield? Recent production or a 2012, etc?
Anyone heard of cracked frames on the Shield?
- Thread starter Marshal Tom
- Start date
How old is your Shield? Recent production or a 2012, etc?
What brand/brands of ammunition have you fired through it?
-edit-
Nevermind, answered my own question after searching. Another reload case failure.
Day before yesterday I took a new .40 Shield to the range, along with some other firearms. The only .40 ammunition I had handy was an older box of HMR 180 gn. I don't care for HMR and don't buy it, but this had been on the shelf for some time. HMR uses mixed headstamps, reloaded ammunition, plated bullets from the appearance. This particular case was a Winchester.
When the case failed, it was about 25 rounds into the box, third round in the magazine. The shot felt unusual, and it vented into the mag well, and blew the magazine out. I was hit in the face with some debris, and my hand hurt in some places, and was numb other places. The case remained in the chamber, sticking part way out.
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The case shown in the thread you referenced was another situation, and the firearm experienced no damage at the time.
The cracked frame occurred on a new shield, less than 200 rounds, and the ammunition was factory range ammo purchased at the desk at an indoor range, Remington UMC 180 grain.
There was no indication of an ammunition problem or anything that suggested bad ammunition while shooting. Initially it fired fine, and was making a ragged hole in the target. They I began to experience failures to feed, all out of one magazine: the longer 7 round mag. I set that aside and continued shooting with the shorter flush 6 round magazines, but began to experience failures to lock back, then the last round would eject, but the trigger acted as though it wasn't tripping the striker. This began happening with rounds in the chamber, and one could pull the trigger ten times, with nothing, and then it would catch and fire.
It seemed to mostly occur on the last round or two in the magazine, and was occurring with all the magazines. I tried it with empty magazines, and it was occurring there, too. Outside, I gathered with several other shooters who examined the pistol, as well as the rangemaster that day, a well known instructor. Each was able to see the malfunction for themselves using empty magazines. It was intermittent.
We all examined the pistol closely, and didn't see any obvious defect, but it was that evening when I got home and found the thread detailing a similar malfunction on this site, that I inspected and found the crack.
All told, less than 200 rounds through a new pistol, factory ammunition.
The former case mentioned above, pictures that you linked, is another matter and one left at home. I'm in the field presently, and don't have access to any of my other firearms, as they're locked in a safe at home. I brought one new Shield .40 with me on the road, hoping for a chance to do some shooting. I got to a range, and this is what happened.
The cracked frame occurred on a new shield, less than 200 rounds, and the ammunition was factory range ammo purchased at the desk at an indoor range, Remington UMC 180 grain.
There was no indication of an ammunition problem or anything that suggested bad ammunition while shooting. Initially it fired fine, and was making a ragged hole in the target. They I began to experience failures to feed, all out of one magazine: the longer 7 round mag. I set that aside and continued shooting with the shorter flush 6 round magazines, but began to experience failures to lock back, then the last round would eject, but the trigger acted as though it wasn't tripping the striker. This began happening with rounds in the chamber, and one could pull the trigger ten times, with nothing, and then it would catch and fire.
It seemed to mostly occur on the last round or two in the magazine, and was occurring with all the magazines. I tried it with empty magazines, and it was occurring there, too. Outside, I gathered with several other shooters who examined the pistol, as well as the rangemaster that day, a well known instructor. Each was able to see the malfunction for themselves using empty magazines. It was intermittent.
We all examined the pistol closely, and didn't see any obvious defect, but it was that evening when I got home and found the thread detailing a similar malfunction on this site, that I inspected and found the crack.
All told, less than 200 rounds through a new pistol, factory ammunition.
The former case mentioned above, pictures that you linked, is another matter and one left at home. I'm in the field presently, and don't have access to any of my other firearms, as they're locked in a safe at home. I brought one new Shield .40 with me on the road, hoping for a chance to do some shooting. I got to a range, and this is what happened.
Well I have 2 both 40s both 2013 mfg dates.
Mine has probably 1200 or so thru it no issues.
Wives has maybe 400 thru it no issues either.
Like most man made things there will be a few lemons of the thousands of them sold I believe this is a very limited issue.
Mine has probably 1200 or so thru it no issues.
Wives has maybe 400 thru it no issues either.
Like most man made things there will be a few lemons of the thousands of them sold I believe this is a very limited issue.
I received a letter from S&W today. It states:
"After a thorough review, we have determined that the damage to this weapon was not the result of a defect in the materials or workmanship of the handgun. We do not recommend firing this firearm as it is not in a safe condition to shoot.
Because we value you as a Smith & Wesson customer, we would like to extend a replacmeent handgun to you at a reduced cost. A new Shield...would be $318.90 plus #15.00 for S&H."
This is consistent with every other case of warranty service I've found regarding the Shield. S&W clearly does NOT stand behind their product.
Someone asked; 2014 production, I believe. No safety. Purchased new. Just under 200 rounds total. Remington factory ammunition, purchased in the box at the indoor range. No indications of an overpressure round, nothing unusual in the feel, sound, or function of the ammunition, nothing found in the cases to indicate overpressure.
What I got from the letter sounded a lot more like "Because we value you as a customer, we won't honor our warranty."
Where is the data from the testing to show that the pistol cracked because of something other than manufacturer defects? It sure as hell wasn't the ammunition. Under 200 rounds? A lot of handguns take more than that for break-in.
The first handgun I carried personally, and while employed, was a S&W Model 10. I've been using S&W products, including handcuffs, revolvers, and autos, for a long time.
Not any more. A company that won't stand behind their products, and that engages in bait and switch tactics (can't honor warranty, but will sell a new pistol) is dishonorable and is not one to be trusted.
"After a thorough review, we have determined that the damage to this weapon was not the result of a defect in the materials or workmanship of the handgun. We do not recommend firing this firearm as it is not in a safe condition to shoot.
Because we value you as a Smith & Wesson customer, we would like to extend a replacmeent handgun to you at a reduced cost. A new Shield...would be $318.90 plus #15.00 for S&H."
This is consistent with every other case of warranty service I've found regarding the Shield. S&W clearly does NOT stand behind their product.
Someone asked; 2014 production, I believe. No safety. Purchased new. Just under 200 rounds total. Remington factory ammunition, purchased in the box at the indoor range. No indications of an overpressure round, nothing unusual in the feel, sound, or function of the ammunition, nothing found in the cases to indicate overpressure.
What I got from the letter sounded a lot more like "Because we value you as a customer, we won't honor our warranty."
Where is the data from the testing to show that the pistol cracked because of something other than manufacturer defects? It sure as hell wasn't the ammunition. Under 200 rounds? A lot of handguns take more than that for break-in.
The first handgun I carried personally, and while employed, was a S&W Model 10. I've been using S&W products, including handcuffs, revolvers, and autos, for a long time.
Not any more. A company that won't stand behind their products, and that engages in bait and switch tactics (can't honor warranty, but will sell a new pistol) is dishonorable and is not one to be trusted.
okay..... You waited 2 Months since the last reply to write this?
CaptRon956
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