Frustrated and need to vent LOL

[wepiii]

I wouldn't worry about trusting it as long as the barrel or extractor has been replaced when you get it back. If you have any malfunctions send it back again. I have over 2000 rounds through mine without a single malfunction. It is a carry gun and you need to be able to count on it. It isn't you, it isn't the ammo and it isn't the magazine. Something is wrong with it, and I would continue to send it back to S&W until you have 200 or so failure free rounds through it. Then start over like its a brand new gun and trust it when it gets to whatever round count you would normally want out of a carry gun until you feel good about it.

Crappy luck, but like it has been mentioned, it's bound to happen with a massed produced gun.

 

[CaptRon956]

I always thought it was common sence that a new pistol regardless if the manufactuer states it needs a break in period or not, still needs to be in fact, broken in. Everybody should know that many new products sound better/run better after a break in period. Everything from new cars to new whoopie cushions, all need a break in period.

 

[Rastoff]

The extractor was tight and there were no chips or pieces missing there either.

I wouldn't worry about trusting it as long as the barrel or extractor has been replaced when you get it back.

Based on this picture...

...what you have is NOT an extraction problem. Here we can clearly see that the spent casing has been extracted, but not ejected.

I'm not doubting your statement that you checked it against another gun. I just want to be sure we're on the same page. So, what I'm talking about is part #33 in this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/341115-m-p-parts-identification.html

Ejection problems are most likely caused by an insecure grip (which we believe has been ruled out) or the ejector not doing its job. It can be caused by the extractor not grabbing the rim as well as it should, but you've also ruled that out. Also, if the extractor has enough grip to remove the casing from the chamber, it has enough to bring it to the ejector with authority.

 

[StlBluesFan72]

I don't know what the anomaly is with this pistol. I will patiently wait for it to be returned and try again. It was perfect for what I wanted, I just want it to work. I will update the post when it gets home.

 

[AR-CORE228]

my core 9mm did the exact same thing on the first 4 rounds fired through it... however hasn't ever done it again since and that was well over 2,000 rounds ago...

just my experience..

KC

 

[MSG Glenn]

I can't really fault you for venting. I would. too but in my case I'd use stronger language that would probably get me banned from the site. I'll bet that kind of wants you to try Glock now. Can't blame you there.

I'm fortunate in that the 3 modern S&Ws I've owned in the past few years worked perfectly out of the box - Sigma40, used police trade in M&P40 & a brand new M&P40C. All were good shooters with absolutely no problems. I even tried limp-wristing & all of the other operator error induced fails. My neighbor fell in love with the Sigma & bought it for what I paid for it - his insistence. I had the same luck with the Glocks I used to own. Many rounds through all the pistols I had & those I still have with nothing to complain about.

I feel that most manufacturers use the customer as their quality control. They're more than happy to put the defective product in good working order as those repairs are probably cheaper than having a whole department checking each piece thoroughly.

If I were a betting man I'd bet that S&W will make everything right & you'll have yourself a fine weapon.

 

[Geno44]

All I have to say is When I bought my Shield 9 it did that a couple times in the first couple hundred rounds fired. That was over 900 rounds ago and since then my Shield has been flawless....
Before ripping on the company & on the Shield. I say try to keep in mind that the machining tolerances are real tight on this pistol and that it's gonna take 400-500 rounds before it starts to loosen up... Shoot it, clean it and shoot it some more.

Let's see. I spend $400 for a pistol then I need to buy 10 boxes of ammo at $15 each to break it in so that I can even consider it for the use I bought it for. ($150) I'm not sure this is very workable for most people.

 

[OMCHamlin]

Wow, I would not blame you for selling your Shield.

yeah, me either... I have NO patience with a malfunctioning carry gun whatsoever! What brand was it; Smith & Kel-Tec?

 

[Rastoff]

Let's see. I spend $400 for a pistol then I need to buy 10 boxes of ammo at $15 each to break it in so that I can even consider it for the use I bought it for. ($150) I'm not sure this is very workable for most people.

I agree with this line of thinking. Yeah, I get that a product might change a little as it wears in, but it shouldn't need 500 rounds fired before it works correctly. Les Baer considers that normal, but I consider it requiring the consumer to finish the manufacturing work. Ed Brown expects his guns to work right out of the box. Heck, even S&W will tell you that once the gun has been cleaned the first time, it should work immediately.

 

[ATF]

Yeah ammo costs more than guns. I won't consider a new gun to be mine until I've put 1000 rounds through it, revolvers excepted. One of my pet hates is when a "buddy" wants to come shooting with me and use one of my guns because they don't have one and I tell them to bring ammo and they say well let me use some of yours and they never pay a dime

 

[StlBluesFan72]

update

Got it back today from S&W. The turn around was pretty fast, and I am thankful. Fired 150 rounds flawlessly this evening at the range. The target below was 100 of those rounds at 7 yards. Paperwork stated that they replaced the barrel and the extractor, so something was wrong somewhere. It works for now, and that is all I care about! Thought I would follow up. Thanks everyone!

 

[lhump1961]

Glad Smith stood behind it and you should be good to go! I have almost nothing but S&W and am happy. My son-in-law is a Ruger guy and had to send his SR9 back twice. He had a Springfield that he didn't like as well. After some time around me he now has a 2 1/2" 66-3, a 6906 and a 3953TSW and likes to shoot my stuff as well!

I've got nothing bad to say about other manufacturers (even Glock!) so to each their own but I choose S&W Made in America! It has been my experience that S&W is as good as any and better than most.

Again, glad you got satisfaction with your Shield.

 

[FloridaFlier]

When I buy a 'you bet your life' gun, I expect 100% reliability. If I can't get it, the gun goes up for sale. I'll just never feel confident about it.

Maybe I'd give it the benefit of the doubt in this case, since they have taken a hard look at it. One more failure, just one, and it's history.

 

[Huntrocketman]

Cool!
I had to send mine in for work too after I bought it.
Works like a champ now.
Really restores your confidence once they get it up & running.

Thanks for the update!

 

[aceridr50]

Got it back today from S&W. The turn around was pretty fast, and I am thankful. Fired 150 rounds flawlessly this evening at the range. The target below was 100 of those rounds at 7 yards. Paperwork stated that they replaced the barrel and the extractor, so something was wrong somewhere. It works for now, and that is all I care about! Thought I would follow up. Thanks everyone! [/QUOTE

Glad to see S&W got everything straightened out for you. Luckily I haven't had any problems with either my Shield or my FS 9mm. (Knock on wood)

That's some nice shooting though it looks like you need to work on your trigger control. lol jk. That is one heck of a grouping.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

I always thought it was common sence that a new pistol regardless if the manufactuer states it needs a break in period or not, still needs to be in fact, broken in. Everybody should know that many new products sound better/run better after a break in period. Everything from new cars to new whoopie cushions, all need a break in period.

I hear this a lot, anybody ever had to do this break in thing with a revolver? Just wondering.

 

[PirateJim]

I too understand your frustration. First S&W semi-auto I owned was a 39 back in about '73-75 time frame. Never could get it to go through a full magazine without jamming one way or another. But I must say I've had good luck with my M&Ps. Two FTF in the first 100 with the Shield, and it's been steady the last 500 or so. 150 straight after a visit it the factory is a good start!

I'm sure there are about as many opinions as there are folks on this board, but personally, I'd put another 150 through it just to finish the break-in and to add confidence, then a box or two of whatever you carry if that's not what you've been shooting (I tend to practice with cheaper ammo). Assuming it is running good, I'd clear negative thoughts from my head and start loving the little gun again. They really are sweet to carry.

 

[M29since14]

Thanks for the follow up. It is not unusual to read these horror stories and never learn if they are resolved.

I'd bet that after a couple more good range trips with your Shield your confidence will be restored. Good luck to you.

 

[Kmr54]

Same issue with mine

I just sent my shield 9mm back. Was experiencing similar failures although not as frequently. Probably 20 failures in 1000 rounds. Still unsat for a carry weapon. Will advise on its return.

 

[gwpercle]

When you get tired of singing the semi-auto blues song, you know the words, failure to feed , failure to fire, failure to eject, is it the magazine ,the gun or me.... trade it in on a revolver. See my avatar, model 58 circa 1969, it has never failed...NEVER. 6 sure shots beat maybe my gun just might fire if I'm lucky today!
Get a revolver and do your happy dance....stop having to vent.
Gary