Giving up on the Shield *UPDATED*

[txxdcc]

I've been on the wait list at probably the biggest firearms retailer in N Texas for 6 months and all they can tell me is that they haven't recieved a Shield since May. They shrug their shoulders and tell me to be patient. I am actually a pretty patient person, all I ask is to be informed as to what is transpiring. Based on what I've read here and on other forums, there is no real answer to be had. The Shield is really hard to find in some places, like Texas, and nobody can say why.

After 6 months of shrugged shoulders and I don't knows from the LGS, I'm ready to cancel my order and move on. Part of me is convinced however, that the moment I do that the store will get a shipment and I'll miss out.

I know that I'm not remotely the only person in this position, but honestly I could have had a semi custom 1911 made by Fusion Firearms by now!!

I really do want a Shield and thought that by being patient I would have one by now. Clearly that isn't the case. I think getting a refund from the LGS and becoming more proactive is my only hope. God help the LGS if they try to charge me some sort of fee to cancel the order...

Carry on!

 

[jfd]

Just got one (9mm) yesterday shipped to my ffl from Bobs army navy in clear field PA. I called them 2 wks ago based on post this forum that they had them....they had just sold the last one so asked to be put on waiting list. I was #1 in line. They called 5 days ago to say they had gotten four. Paid $380+25 shipping. They have not surprisingly already sold all four. Have asked to be put on their waiting list for shield40. I've been on waiting lists locally and elsewhere for months. Who gets them and when seems to defy logic. If you really want one, pay attention to posts this forum, get on multiple waiting lists, don't hesitate if you find a dealer who has them. I missed out on shield 40 from buds gun shop by minutes a few wks ago cos at work when saw the forum post that they had them. By the time I had time to call them an hour later, they had just sold the last one. If you REALLY want one, gotta be both persistent and patient but I certainly understand your frustration. I can't remember any other handgun in my lifetime, except the Kimber Solo which I had the chance to buy at $800 (!) the week it came out and declined (have never been sorry about that decision) that has sold like the shield with supply so badly exceeding demand. Good luck.

 

[joespapa]

Wow....I'm not a semi-auto guy except for 1911's so I'm not educated on this firearm.....why does everyone want one? Seems like a really good price point....what gives?

 

[RussC]

I've been on the wait list at probably the biggest firearms retailer in N Texas for 6 months and all they can tell me is that they haven't recieved a Shield since May. They shrug their shoulders and tell me to be patient. I am actually a pretty patient person, all I ask is to be informed as to what is transpiring. Based on what I've read here and on other forums, there is no real answer to be had. The Shield is really hard to find in some places, like Texas, and nobody can say why.

After 6 months of shrugged shoulders and I don't knows from the LGS, I'm ready to cancel my order and move on. Part of me is convinced however, that the moment I do that the store will get a shipment and I'll miss out.

I know that I'm not remotely the only person in this position, but honestly I could have had a semi custom 1911 made by Fusion Firearms by now!!

I really do want a Shield and thought that by being patient I would have one by now. Clearly that isn't the case. I think getting a refund from the LGS and becoming more proactive is my only hope. God help the LGS if they try to charge me some sort of fee to cancel the order...

Carry on!

Txxdcc

6 months is a long wait.

Too bad it didn't workout.

I am assuming you had to put money down?

If no money down was required I would let it ride.

Russ

 

[txxdcc]

Russ, I had to put money down in order to reserve a spot and have since paid in full. At the time I paid for it there was no indication that it would take so long. I can continue to be patient if I have some info to go on, but there doesn't seem to be any reliable info to be had. I'll keep looking and hopefully I'll get lucky. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Mark82ndABN]

txxdcc, I'm all for staying true to local gun stores but in situations like this you have to color outside the lines. After reading all the horror stories about Shield availability and visiting my local gun stores I went to the internet and started making calls. Took me exactly 2 days to find a Shield 9mm and had it in my hands 2 days later (4 days total). This was about 3 weeks ago and I paid $475 shipped to my FFL (that's with expedited processing and shipping). Did the same thing 10 years ago with a Barrett 82A1 when Barrett was way behind on civilian sales of this rifle. Everyone that wanted one was on a waiting list for months and was told it would be impossible to land one. Did my research online and had one in 6 days.

 

[Birdbrain]

I got mine, a 40, at the lgs... first and only they had. And no word on when they will get more.

 

[txxdcc]

txxdcc, I'm all for staying true to local gun stores but in situations like this you have to color outside the lines. After reading all the horror stories about Shield availability and visiting my local gun stores I went to the internet and started making calls. Took me exactly 2 days to find a Shield 9mm and had it in my hands 2 days later (4 days total). This was about 3 weeks ago and I paid $475 shipped to my FFL (that's with expedited processing and shipping). Did the same thing 10 years ago with a Barrett 82A1 when Barrett was way behind on civilian sales of this rifle. Everyone that wanted one was on a waiting list for months and was told it would be impossible to land one. Did my research online and had one in 6 days.

That's exactly what I've started doing. I'll spend the time and find one on my own. Patience has gotten me nowhere, so I'll go on offense and see what I can come up with.

 

[RussC]

Russ, I had to put money down in order to reserve a spot and have since paid in full. At the time I paid for it there was no indication that it would take so long. I can continue to be patient if I have some info to go on, but there doesn't seem to be any reliable info to be had. I'll keep looking and hopefully I'll get lucky. Thanks for the feedback.

Txxdcc

If you are interested in a 40 caliber I saw two today at a new Utah gun store. They soldout their 9mm first day open.

PM me if you want their number.

Russ

$449

 

[mmais]

We had to wait 3 days to get a 9mm but they had 20-30 40 's stacked on the floor at my dealer here in Florida. They are going for $449.

Mike

 

[Crab 945]

I'm having the same problem. I traded my LC9 as a down payment when I ordered the Shield in July. My LGS had a few at two differant times prior to when I ordered mine. They claim that they haven't had any since the end of June. The S&W rep came in last week and said they are making them as fast as they can but demand is extremely high. I can't cancel my order because they have sold the LC9. I thought thedeal was too good to pass on. LC9 +$100.00. So i jumped not thinking it would take almost4 months ......and counting.

 

[GregoryJ]

Russ, I had to put money down in order to reserve a spot and have since paid in full. At the time I paid for it there was no indication that it would take so long. I can continue to be patient if I have some info to go on, but there doesn't seem to be any reliable info to be had. I'll keep looking and hopefully I'll get lucky. Thanks for the feedback.

First thing I would do is request a full refund with interest just to see the response. If your money (without interest or penalty) is refunded, say thank you and walk away. If you are given a hard time about it, file a complaint with your local Better Business Bureau. If you are told no refunds period, check into filing a claim in small claims court. Only do this if you don't plan to ever purchase from this place again.

IMO, the store doesn't care when you get your Shield because they have your money, and the longer they can stall you, the longer they have a free loan from you.

This is why I always tell anyone who asks (and many who don't) NEVER prepay for anything. Put the money aside until the product is available.

Feel free to ignore all of this, you won't hurt my feelings.

 

[txxdcc]

First thing I would do is request a full refund with interest just to see the response. If your money (without interest or penalty) is refunded, say thank you and walk away. If you are given a hard time about it, file a complaint with your local Better Business Bureau. If you are told no refunds period, check into filing a claim in small claims court. Only do this if you don't plan to ever purchase from this place again.

IMO, the store doesn't care when you get your Shield because they have your money, and the longer they can stall you, the longer they have a free loan from you.

This is why I always tell anyone who asks (and many who don't) NEVER prepay for anything. Put the money aside until the product is available.

Feel free to ignore all of this, you won't hurt my feelings.

Thanks, Greg. I am going to ask for a full refund and see what they say. I've bought several guns from this store in the past and haven't had any issues so I'm hoping for the best. I had no idea the demand was so high for these things when I paid for the gun. Hindsight is 20/20, lesson learned and all of that! Thanks everyone for your input and assistance. I'm new to S&W forums and I feel quite welcome.

 

[mrbort]

I definitely feel your pain on the wait. I just put it on my wish list at Buds and was on all the lists with any gun shop within a few hours who were taking names... Mostly they were first come, first served.

I've called the closest one each week for so many weeks that they knew what I'd be asking and could save us all some time. This morning I happened to get a hit from my Buds wish list and snapped it up at retail price. They were sold out in minutes. Luck on my part really.

Like others I am all for supporting local gun shops and figured with some patience I would be able to support them on this one. I went in there today and bought a nice O/U so I feel fine; to this day they have only ever received one. Even their blue gun walked off. I figure that for a year or so they'll have no problems immediately getting rid of any that they get in ao I totally don't feel bad for going on the internet...

Good luck!!

 

[team sidewinder]

It is a shame txxdcc as you have been more than patient with your LGS and even I feel bad you can't get the shield you want. I can't believe your LGS won't give you back your money or at least try harder to find you a shield and keep you as a repeat customer. Who would have thunk it that these guns would sell as fast or faster than S&W can make them. Good Luck

 

[blujax01]

Call these guys...
http://www.vanceoutdoors.com/flyer/flyer.pdf

 

[wonbyone]

I was in the same situation here in DFW. I could not find one, gave up in fact and bought a Ruger SR9C from Cabela's. Took it to the LGS 4 days later to shoot. I got there as they were opening and putting the inventory in the show cases. They were talking about and admiring a Shield 40 they had just received. I bought it and a box of ammo. It was a fun day with both pistols. You just have to be at the right place at the right time. --Bill

 

[Moonman]

IMHO the Shield in 40 would be a little much.

Love my 9MM though.

 

[JBUS]

That really sucks. I hope you get your money back OR as you walk through the front door of your LGS they tell you they just got your Shield in!!!

I, without putting my name on one, waited about 5 months.

Since they're off-list here in CA they're the unicorn of guns around here apparently. The .40 is like finding Atlantis......and I wish I knew why it was so hard to find one.

LGS got a few 9mm in about 5 months ago. At the time my department was not sure if we were moving from away from Sig to Glock.

Being a Glock fan and owning a few (36 and Gen4 19) I bought a new blue label Gen3 17 and passed on the Shield.

I rationalized that the Shield would just come in stock a month later.

I waited and waited. I sent texts to the LGS owner telling him I'd buy his 9mm Shield off him at the going price ($449).

Went in last week to have a NY1 and 3.5# Ghost drop in put in both 19 & 17 and owner tells me he has a Shield in 9mm just come in.

Hasn't even been readied for display. I bought it right there.

My only luck out of this is LGS owner and I are good friends. He told me he was getting ready to text me to let me know but I happened to walk in.

He predicted they won't see anymore till the new year. This was just his guess as it had taken 5 months to get one back into the store.

The moral of my long and boring story is it SUCKED waiting for one!!!

ETA: If I was really desperate I could have purchased one from another gunshop in the area but they wanted $150 over the $449 price tag.

This shop recognized that there were none available locally and jacked their prices up. I wasn't going to pay $150 over. Plus I knew my LGS would come through.

 

[txxdcc]

Thanks everyone for the leads and encouragement! I'm feeling lucky today so who knows.