I had a problem this weekend after going to break in my new Shield 9mm. I had it lock open on a loaded mag twice and figured it might be ammo related as it went back into battery fairly easily. After firing about 325 rounds, I started to take it down to clean. I started the process per the manual's instruction and then as I got to the point to turn the take down lever you could see and feel it pressing on the spring and guide rod. It made it hard to turn. Then, as I slid the slide forward, the spring and guide rod popped off and fell out. Still intact as one unit just popped out. The large spring at the back of the outer guide rod is bent at the back (the spring itself not the guide rod). After cleaning it took multiple attempts, twisting, turning, and swearing to finally get the guide rod back in and the gun back together. But now I don't know whether I should trust this gun or not. This is the 3rd S&W I will have had to return in the last year and a half . One had to go back twice and was never returned corrected. It's what I traded in on this Shield. What has happened to the legendary S&W quality? It hasn't been in my last 3 products for sure.
Guide rod/recoil spring issue Shield 9mm
- Thread starter JosephH
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
checkmyswag
Member
What was your previous gun you had issues with? If it was a Bodyguard 380 it doesn't count.
Ed911
Member
What's wrong with the Bodyguard 380? I'm considering buying one.
checkmyswag
Member
Heavy trigger. Crappy laser. Broken firing pins may/may not be an issue.
I'm an S&W guy. I'm not a hater and am considering getting one but they could have executed it much better.
robkarrob
Member
There will soon be a bodyguard trigger kit out. It will cut the pull length to about half, and move the break point forward about 1/2 inch. When the kit becomes available, I will put a new thread up about where to get the kit.
Regarding the issue with your Shield, like anything, once in a while you can get a defective part. It was likely the spring makers mistake, and S&W just installed that bad spring, that did not go bad while test firing. You call S&W, they might just send you a new spring assembly, especially if you send them a photo of the damaged spring. Better than having to send the gun in to them.
Bob
Regarding the issue with your Shield, like anything, once in a while you can get a defective part. It was likely the spring makers mistake, and S&W just installed that bad spring, that did not go bad while test firing. You call S&W, they might just send you a new spring assembly, especially if you send them a photo of the damaged spring. Better than having to send the gun in to them.
Bob
checkmyswag
Member
Good on Bob for actually addressing the OP question! Yes, contact S&W and they should make it right.
cmlevy1952
Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2014
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 2
The Shield's recoil spring/assembly still sucks!
It is late 2014 and I'm here to tell you that nothing has changed regarding S&W Shield's recoil parts issues.
I got my new Shield three weeks ago. What should you do with a new gun? Right, you field strip it, clean it and lightly lube it. I easily striped it down and did what was needed. During reassembly the spring was difficult to reinstall. It was hard to compress and feed the spring back in place. Finally did and locked the rack back. From there it was permanently locked!
I called Customer Service and they were very nice. "Oh, you didn't center the spring." I said "I am not perfect but it looked damn good to me. Further, if it could be reassembled wrong so easily and look so right, then the gun was defective."
He asked if I had a rubber mallet which I did. He said I should hit the guide rod sticking out from under the muzzle. I asked him whether I should load the gun first and look down the barrel too. "No, we have this problem often", the definition of a defect .
I lightly whacked the rod and on the second hit boy did it recoil!! He was ready to say good riddance but I asked hang on until I field stripped it again. No problem!
I stripped it again and boy did that spring assembly look dead on center. "Well it wasn't as I said, we deal with this a lot. . I couldn't hold back. If it looks centered to the user how can you feel good about your product when an apparently centered spring fails? That IS a defect . That got me far, huh. (Not).
I reassembled it noting the spring looked trashed; no rung was parallel to any other adjacent one. Glock has a similar issue but groups of rungs are adjacent at least.
I reassembled it and racked the slide back but now it would NOT lock. I guess I didn't center it again?
It took three weeks to determine that it was fine. Even the spring was centered desite the fact the rack would not lock. Maybe the shipping centered it. It got whacked again?
I planned to never remove the spring assembly again and clean the barrel in place. Then I was on YouTube and tripped over this issue. They were using different size/strength springs with different size rods getting great results. I still cannot seem to receive definitive info on combinations of rods and springs but another issue was solved - The original vs replacements parts changed the difficulty in reinstallation of the spring. I was flipping out over how hard it was to reassemble and so where they on YouTube.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ADVICE AS TO combinations TO TRY OUT AND WHERE TO FIND THEM. S&W is a joke just waiting for a spring to fly and take out an eye. "But he didn't center", either!!!
Thanks,
Chuck
It is late 2014 and I'm here to tell you that nothing has changed regarding S&W Shield's recoil parts issues.
I got my new Shield three weeks ago. What should you do with a new gun? Right, you field strip it, clean it and lightly lube it. I easily striped it down and did what was needed. During reassembly the spring was difficult to reinstall. It was hard to compress and feed the spring back in place. Finally did and locked the rack back. From there it was permanently locked!
I called Customer Service and they were very nice. "Oh, you didn't center the spring." I said "I am not perfect but it looked damn good to me. Further, if it could be reassembled wrong so easily and look so right, then the gun was defective."
He asked if I had a rubber mallet which I did. He said I should hit the guide rod sticking out from under the muzzle. I asked him whether I should load the gun first and look down the barrel too. "No, we have this problem often", the definition of a defect .
I lightly whacked the rod and on the second hit boy did it recoil!! He was ready to say good riddance but I asked hang on until I field stripped it again. No problem!
I stripped it again and boy did that spring assembly look dead on center. "Well it wasn't as I said, we deal with this a lot. . I couldn't hold back. If it looks centered to the user how can you feel good about your product when an apparently centered spring fails? That IS a defect . That got me far, huh. (Not).
I reassembled it noting the spring looked trashed; no rung was parallel to any other adjacent one. Glock has a similar issue but groups of rungs are adjacent at least.
I reassembled it and racked the slide back but now it would NOT lock. I guess I didn't center it again?
It took three weeks to determine that it was fine. Even the spring was centered desite the fact the rack would not lock. Maybe the shipping centered it. It got whacked again?
I planned to never remove the spring assembly again and clean the barrel in place. Then I was on YouTube and tripped over this issue. They were using different size/strength springs with different size rods getting great results. I still cannot seem to receive definitive info on combinations of rods and springs but another issue was solved - The original vs replacements parts changed the difficulty in reinstallation of the spring. I was flipping out over how hard it was to reassemble and so where they on YouTube.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ADVICE AS TO combinations TO TRY OUT AND WHERE TO FIND THEM. S&W is a joke just waiting for a spring to fly and take out an eye. "But he didn't center", either!!!
Thanks,
Chuck
robkarrob
Member
Chuck
Too bad you are having issues. I've had a Shield 40 over 2 years. It did take a few tries to get the recoil spring assembly in correctly. The front is no issue but the rear must be fully pushed down and centered, or you get the issues you described. You could have a defective spring assembly. Try removing and assembling it again a few times (I know it is a pain). If you can't get it to work every time, call S&W and ask for a new recoil assembly be shipped out to you, or request a warranty repair. They should send you the spring, which is much cheaper than sending the gun in to be checked out.
You may just have been speaking to the wrong CSR. Good luck.
Bob
Too bad you are having issues. I've had a Shield 40 over 2 years. It did take a few tries to get the recoil spring assembly in correctly. The front is no issue but the rear must be fully pushed down and centered, or you get the issues you described. You could have a defective spring assembly. Try removing and assembling it again a few times (I know it is a pain). If you can't get it to work every time, call S&W and ask for a new recoil assembly be shipped out to you, or request a warranty repair. They should send you the spring, which is much cheaper than sending the gun in to be checked out.
You may just have been speaking to the wrong CSR. Good luck.
Bob
Last edited:
kannonvaggon
Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2014
- Messages
- 148
- Reaction score
- 86
Yep.
Check that the machining where the spring seats on the frame isn't boogered maybe .... probably not ....
Get em to send you a new recoil spring assembly. Should fix ya up.
Check that the machining where the spring seats on the frame isn't boogered maybe .... probably not ....
Get em to send you a new recoil spring assembly. Should fix ya up.
I recently had a similar problem when putting Shield 9mm back together after cleaning it. I've put close to 1K rounds through it with few problems (except for the common ones noted by many posters the first 200 rounds or so), but now it is sometimes hard to compress the recoil spring to get it back in place. It just won't move until I rotate it to different position. I have no idea what is different, it just will suddenly compress. I never had this problem until the last month or so
. What is going on with these springs?
. What is going on with these springs?
I had a similar problem and being the kind of guy I am, I found my problems were pretty sporadic so I looked for the common issues when I had problems and researched. On this sight, I found that if you seat the rear of the recoil spring assembly with the start of the spring facing up, centered, I don't have any problems with reassembly, 100% of the times. As a matter of fact, I don't have my manual with me but it seems like this is mentioned and pictured in the manual. If the beginning (back) of the spring is not pointed up or if the assembly is not centered, than there may be problems or there may not be problems.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Is there something different with the Shields spring/rod assembly as opposed to the M&P380 and the full size M&P9? I've got both of the latter and I've never had problems reassembling either. Easy and straight forward as can be.
Don't know anything about the other guns, I know the Shield has no positive location (flat) on the barrel to positively locate the spring assembly....plus the spring assembly is a cheap looking thing. On my shield you just keep guessing and putting it together over and over until you get it right. Smith should be ashamed of this design.
robkarrob
Member
Just checked the manual and spring indexing alignment is not shown. What some may be confusing as indexing are two pictures showing improper alignment and proper alignment of the rear of the recoil spring on the barrel step. The picture showing the correct alignment shows the spring is centered, but some may think it is also showing the orientation of indexing the spring spirals into a specific rotation location. The photo is only showing that the spring is centered on the barrel step.
Bob
Bob
Last edited:
cmlevy1952
Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2014
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 2
Recoil Spring replacement
I had sent my brand new Shield back in for warranty repair. Not one round tjrough it and back it goes. It took three weeks round trip for advice that there is nothing wrong with the recoil assembly and also the homely spring is normal!
It has gotten better but can you rely upon it for PD.
Has anyone considered the life expectancy of the spring? I was shocked to see my Sig P938 Owners Manual recommends a new spring every 1,500 rounds. One Thousand Five Hundred! And talk about a difficult reassembly! The spring collapses before you can reinstall the short recoil rod. At least the springs are cheap and available but that doesn't address the assembly issue.
I have tried to get a Shield spring or assembly but I cannot find it. Is it one piece? Does anyone know S&W's life expectancy for the recoil spring. I cannot find the information.
Chuck
Now that it works, I love the gun. But is it necessary to have the hidden lever that is so forgetable during cleaning.
I had sent my brand new Shield back in for warranty repair. Not one round tjrough it and back it goes. It took three weeks round trip for advice that there is nothing wrong with the recoil assembly and also the homely spring is normal!
It has gotten better but can you rely upon it for PD.
Has anyone considered the life expectancy of the spring? I was shocked to see my Sig P938 Owners Manual recommends a new spring every 1,500 rounds. One Thousand Five Hundred! And talk about a difficult reassembly! The spring collapses before you can reinstall the short recoil rod. At least the springs are cheap and available but that doesn't address the assembly issue.
I have tried to get a Shield spring or assembly but I cannot find it. Is it one piece? Does anyone know S&W's life expectancy for the recoil spring. I cannot find the information.
Chuck
Now that it works, I love the gun. But is it necessary to have the hidden lever that is so forgetable during cleaning.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
I've got a recoil spring with 60K rounds on it, I use it for practice shooting but change out to a new one for a match. I can't tell the difference between the two. I'm kinda curious as to how long it will last so I keep putting it back in for practice. I may not live long enough to find out. 
Stainless Steel Guide Rods has a drop-in replacement for the Shield. It's a single spring design using a Nighthawk spring (not the OEM). I plan to order one for my Shield, but I have not yet. If and when I do, I will let you know how it works.
Horn
Member
This seems correct about the end of the spring. One poster had a photo showing the correct way regarding the end of the spring.
I've been very careful when placing the assembly back in. No problems relative that. Had others and am awaiting a replacement Shield. That said, CS is still great if not quality control.
Contact S&W...they will replace it....
Having a problem with Recoil Spring on new Shield I purchase about a month ago.
It will not allow the slide to be retracted to the full slide lock position.
Glock Armour as indicated this is a known issue. That this spring assembly has to be in
a 1:00 o'clock position if the barrel is facing you else the slide assembly will misfunction.
My name is Don Benson
My Shield serial number is HVSxxxx
My address is xxxx Kernersville Road, Kernersville, NC. 27284
My cell phone is xxxxxxxxxx
My email address is [email protected].
Please inform me if you are willing to replace this defective spring assembly or
what action I need to take to make the weapon work properly.
Thanks for your time and attention to this matter.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Reference number: LTK1117701440581X Please use this ticket number in any correspondence with us.
Subject: Recoil Spring on New Shield 9mm
Dear Customer,
1885248 is your order number for a new spring, please allow 7-10 days for shipping.
Smith&Wesson values its customers and we are happy to have served you today. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further assistance.
Regards, Rob
Having a problem with Recoil Spring on new Shield I purchase about a month ago.
It will not allow the slide to be retracted to the full slide lock position.
Glock Armour as indicated this is a known issue. That this spring assembly has to be in
a 1:00 o'clock position if the barrel is facing you else the slide assembly will misfunction.
My name is Don Benson
My Shield serial number is HVSxxxx
My address is xxxx Kernersville Road, Kernersville, NC. 27284
My cell phone is xxxxxxxxxx
My email address is [email protected].
Please inform me if you are willing to replace this defective spring assembly or
what action I need to take to make the weapon work properly.
Thanks for your time and attention to this matter.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Reference number: LTK1117701440581X Please use this ticket number in any correspondence with us.
Subject: Recoil Spring on New Shield 9mm
Dear Customer,
1885248 is your order number for a new spring, please allow 7-10 days for shipping.
Smith&Wesson values its customers and we are happy to have served you today. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further assistance.
Regards, Rob
Last edited:
Similar threads
