Are the Shield RSA's fixed now?

Just bought a M&P 9 Shield for a PC for the wife. Out of the box, the thing was damn near impossible to rack the slide open and even more difficult to release the slide. Have since seen many complaints on the boards about this stiff spring issue. S&W tells me: "One way to help break it in and soften it up is to store the gun with the slide locked back." A lot of good thats going to do for a PC piece. (Oh, please Mr. Intruder, can you give me a minute while I wrestle with my slide?) Has anyone else here had these issues, and if so, what did you do to alleviate this issue? She's in her late 50's so I'd like to fix it to where a pre-teen girl (not trying to be sexist mind you) could operate it.
 
Ken77539 said:
Just bought a M&P 9 Shield for a PC for the wife. Out of the box, the thing was damn near impossible to rack the slide open and even more difficult to release the slide. Have since seen many complaints on the boards about this stiff spring issue. S&W tells me: "One way to help break it in and soften it up is to store the gun with the slide locked back." A lot of good thats going to do for a PC piece. (Oh, please Mr. Intruder, can you give me a minute while I wrestle with my slide?) Has anyone else here had these issues, and if so, what did you do to alleviate this issue? She's in her late 50's so I'd like to fix it to where a pre-teen girl (not trying to be sexist mind you) could operate it.
Click to expand...

My husband spoke to the counterman at the LGS to find me a slide I could rack when I first started shooting. I got the Sig P238, one of the easiest slides there is.

Shooting the Shield will loosen it up quite a bit, but it still takes some determination on my part.

I'm curious, what do you mean "PC for the wife"? What's PC stand for? Not Performance Center I assume.

A cleaning and good quality lubricant will help a little. TW25B lube is excellent on slide grooves.
 
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Just picked up my new shield 9 performance center yesterday. The spring is halfway coming off over end of guide rod. You can take the mag out and pull slide to the rear and it will stay locked back without slide stop engaged. You have to smack the back of the slide to get it to close. Absolutely amazing how these continue to leave the factory especially a performance center model!
My last regular shield had same issue and I sold it because S&W wanted me to send the gun in to get a new rsa. They refused to send or sell me a new rsa. Terrible customer service.
 
Ken77539 said:
Just bought a M&P 9 Shield for a PC for the wife. Out of the box, the thing was damn near impossible to rack the slide open and even more difficult to release the slide. Have since seen many complaints on the boards about this stiff spring issue. S&W tells me: "One way to help break it in and soften it up is to store the gun with the slide locked back." A lot of good thats going to do for a PC piece. (Oh, please Mr. Intruder, can you give me a minute while I wrestle with my slide?) Has anyone else here had these issues, and if so, what did you do to alleviate this issue? She's in her late 50's so I'd like to fix it to where a pre-teen girl (not trying to be sexist mind you) could operate it.
Click to expand...

Hmm. My wife's "Personal Carry" is a well-used and smooth 4 inch Model 681 with Crimson Trace laser grip. Just sayin'. :D
 
Com 45acp said:
Just picked up my new shield 9 performance center yesterday. The spring is halfway coming off over end of guide rod. You can take the mag out and pull slide to the rear and it will stay locked back without slide stop engaged. You have to smack the back of the slide to get it to close.
Click to expand...
That's what happened to mine. The end of the spring slipped past the spring seat, and jammed the slide so bad I had to get a gunsmith to undo it. But the seat was not bent like whats happening to other people, it just wasn't able to capture the spring.
 
OTOH, I've had mine nearly a year, shot the heck out of it, never had a problem with the RSA.
 
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Anyone know who carries the rsa for the shield. I called S&W this morning and after being put on hold for 5 minutes was informed they are out of stock. And I could call back in a few weeks to see if they are back in stock. I even asked could they put my name on a waiting list and was told no if I wanted one sooner I could order one from another company.
Any help is appreciated as S&W isn't much help.
 
Com 45acp said:
I even asked could they put my name on a waiting list and was told no if I wanted one sooner I could order one from another company.
Click to expand...

Did you tell them yours was broken, or that you want to buy a spare?

Everyone I've heard about before whose RSA was broken, was put in a cue until they were available.
 
I told her the spring is not being captured by the guide rod. And that it is defective. That's when I was put on hold then told they have none in stock and I could call back or order from somewhere else. I was nice and polite and said I don't think I should have to purchase a new rsa from somewhere else. The spring is broke/defective and the gun was just purchased new from dealer last week. Then she said they close for Christmas this Thursday and will re open jan2. And was also told there is no waiting list to be put onto when they come back into stock. Maybe I will call again today and ask to speak with a supervisor. Just has me clueless.
 
Com 45acp said:
Anyone know who carries the rsa for the shield. I called S&W this morning and after being put on hold for 5 minutes was informed they are out of stock. And I could call back in a few weeks to see if they are back in stock. I even asked could they put my name on a waiting list and was told no if I wanted one sooner I could order one from another company.
Any help is appreciated as S&W isn't much help.
Click to expand...

I agree you shouldn't have to buy one, but here you go.

Smith and Wesson Shield Stainless Steel Guide Rod Assembly - Stainless Steel Guide Rods
 
Com 45acp said:
I told her the spring is not being captured by the guide rod. And that it is defective.
Click to expand...

After the same thing happened to me during the "Great RSA Drought", and it took months to get it replaced, I decided if it happens again, I will not self-diagnose the problem. I will plead ignorance, leave it inoperable and send the gun back.

The service department has access to RSA's that the warranty parts department does not. We do ourselves no favors by minimizing the effort for S&W to deal with this. If all the RSA failed guns were returned for service, perhaps the bookkeepers would force a change.
 
The last time I sent a gun in for repair the shipping was $56. It would be a lot cheaper to just buy a new spring.


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I didn't know that about S&W. It was a "brand x" that I sent in for warranty work.


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That link for ss guide rods says it fits 9/40 shields but not the performance center shields.
 
crashdummy said:
bought a new 45 Shield this morning
Upon initial disassembly the RSA separated leaving me with a brand new pistol. My other M&Ps including a 40 shield have been flawless, but my new one has me angry .....Thanks for letting me blow off steam, and no, the problem aint yet fixed !@
Click to expand...
My new Shield did exactly the same thing. My dealer substituted another from an in stock new pistol. The replacement has 70 rds so far. We are still waiting on a new one for his new pistol to sell that he gave me. Gonna call them tomorrow.
 
S&W is closed until Jan 3. They also have these parts on back order. Not sure how a manufacturer runs out of these. A distributed I could understand. But to S&W credit it's just one of their minor downfalls as they are usually up to par on everything.
 
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