How long to break in a new shield?

[chele519]

I got my shield 9mm this past weekend. I rented one that morning and liked it so much I bought it the same day. My Maglula arrived today and whoever recommended it, thank you! I have a little tendinitis in one hand and could only get 6 rounds in the 8 round mag and that was a struggle. This thing is awesome!

I'm wondering how long it will take to loosen up?
I'm taking it to the range this weekend, the store had a good sale on some Blazer brass so I bought a couple to try out and if I don't have any issues, I'll stock up while it's on sale. I'm having some trouble with the slide. I know from posts that it is stiff at first. I have some tendinitis in my left hand, I can rack it holding the gun in my left and using my right hand but of course having to switch hands isn't a long term solution. I found out yesterday that the rental I tried had just over 2000 rounds through it. I'm hoping it won't take that long before it is broken in. I will be taking it apart and cleaning it tomorrow night before going to the range so I don't know if lubrication will help at all. Anyone with a new shield remember how many rounds it took before it loosened up?

 

[JM4151]

Breaking in a Shield.

Its not a question of time but the number of rounds that you fire thru it. Keep your magazines loaded to lighten the mag springs. You can keep the slide locked back, when you store it.. Fire at least 300-400 rounds out of the gun. It should be reliable by then. Keep a record of round count fired.

 

[chele519]

Its not a question of time but the number of rounds that you fire thru it. Keep your magazines loaded to lighten the mag springs. You can keep the slide locked back, when you store it.. Fire at least 300-400 rounds out of the gun. It should be reliable by then. Keep a record of round count fired.

Yeah I didn't mean amount of time maybe I worded it wrong, I meant how many rounds. While it's on sale I figured I'd grab 20 boxes, got 4 boxes to shoot on Saturday.

 

[wingriderz]

Keep your mags full . I am breaking in a new M&P 40c . I ran 100. Flawless rounds threw it. After about 60 rounds my mag loosened. Up a bit. My deal is any new gun runs at least 250 rounds threw and all are flawless. I put it in my carry rotation. If I run into problems I add a few more hundred. Before it is in rotation. I have a new Springfield Xds 45c thst had issuses. On 2nd range trip it wount be in rotation now till at least 400.

 

[shakyshoot]

I felt like after about 400-500 rds the slide was noticeably easier to rack, and the trigger had improved too. I've never had much trouble loading the mags, but that's probably because since I'm primarily a bullseye shooter, I habitually load 5 rds most of the time. If I do load 7 or 8, it goes pretty easy. I've got 2k though mine now.

 

[hoc9sw]

I would not say mine has gotten any easier to rack, and I'm at about 3150 rounds. I use the "ladies" style to rack, being eat up with arthritis.

I hold the slide in my left hand, barrel downrange, fixed position, and push the frame forward with the right. So no hand change.

Blazer Brass 115g has worked fine for me in general, but the S&W CS guy suggested breaking it in with 124g. I had a few boxes of American Eagle and Winchester NATO, so used that early on.

 

[ChiefStealth]

Shield 9mm. 988 rounds. The slide still takes more effort than any other auto pistol I have. I don't have any trouble racking it. Never did, really. Thanks to folks on this forum I knew from day one it would be stiff. I knew that I would have to use more muscle to get it racked properly. I guess I just got used to the stiffness. Same with the mags. I keep 1 - 7rnd and 1 - 8rnd full at all times. I still gotta push pretty good to get the last round in there. Especially the 7 rounder.

 

[rock_castle]

Mine was great right out of the box. I've probably got around 800 rounds through it without a single issue. It's just a great carry gun.

 

[martybee]

Mine was great right out of the box. I've probably got around 800 rounds through it without a single issue. It's just a great carry gun.

I have 700+ rds. through mine and I feel it is just now, "Broke-in". The slide is still stiff to rack back and lock, But I can manage it without much difficulty. Brazer Brass 115gr. is excellent ammo for this piece. It is cheap and never fails. (in my case).

Enjoy your new gun and shoot safely.

mb

 

[Arik]

There really shouldn't be any break in period but the more you shoot it the faster it will loosen

 

[Ballistic147]

I agree with Arik, not as much a break in period as it is a loosen up period. Leave the mags fully loaded to help loosen them up. The slide should loosen up a little with use and the trigger will improve also. I think a big part of dealing with the slide is technique. My wife had trouble with hers at first but now has no problem racking the slide.

Although mine has done fine with any ammo it's been fed I tend to stick with Blazer Brass 124 grain FMJ for target shooting. Good price and very good quality plus it's really close to the Federal 124 grain HST's I keep in it for carry.

 

[sschrick]

nothing else to add. these guys above me have said it all. follow their advice.
I only have about 200 rounds through mine and I can already see a difference.

 

[Sigsavvy]

My Shield 40 was really tough to operate when I got it. After just 300 rounds it was much better. I did handle a new Shield 9 the other day and the slide operated real easily. I actually thought the slide got bound up on the way back because of how easily it cycled. It seems that some Shields are stiffer than others.

 

[Ballistic147]

I'll also add that cleaning and lubing probably won't help with the stiff slide since the issue comes from the stiff recoil spring in the Shield but lubing the slide rails will make it a little smoother. Some folks use oil on everything but I prefer a little grease on the slide rails as it will offer more protection on areas where a metal part slides on another metal part. Magnalube grease is what I use for that. Any new gun should be stripped, cleaned, inspected and lubed before firing the first round.

 

[lonestar outlaw]

My shield 9mm at 500 rounds starting feeling better and at 800 I really noticed it was much better

 

[keithylton]

At least 600 rounds in the Shield before I felt it was where it needed to be compared with my M&P 40 and 45 break in - those only took 200 rounds to feel like a well used auto.

 

[Rastoff]

The Shield requires no "break in" period. It works right out of the box.

Because of the small size, the recoil spring assembly (RSA) needs to be much stronger than a gun of larger size. Thus, the slide is difficult to operate by hand.

Also, while a spring will compress a little over time, it will not change significantly. The RSA will retain its full strength until it has been cycled at least 5,000 times and will likely take double that to become easier to overcome.

What really happens with most gun owners is, they become better at manipulating their guns with experience. The spring doesn't really lose much power. The owner does get more familiar and comfortable with operating their guns. So, over time, the gun seems to be easier to operate.

It really is easier to operate. It's just that it's not the weakening spring that causes it.

 

[Doug M.]

Further - "break-in" for most firearms is a misnomer. It's really a matter of function testing. A 2-300 rounds of ball to start, a modest cleaning (which after so few rounds it should not need), then 500 rounds of duty/carry ammo for function testing. Use plenty of good quality lube during testing, of course. If no malfs, clean, lube, load, carry.

 

[moxie]

Meanwhile, check in with your family doctor and get a cortisone shot in your hand. I had it done a few years back in my forearm and it was almost miraculous. Tendonitis gone!

 

[CattleDog73]

What really happens with most gun owners is, they become better at manipulating their guns with experience. The spring doesn't really lose much power. The owner does get more familiar and comfortable with operating their guns. So, over time, the gun seems to be easier to operate.

It really is easier to operate. It's just that it's not the weakening spring that causes it.

Agree 100%. I will say that after 600 flawless rounds, the only difference I've noticed is that the trigger has become much smoother and I no longer feel the need for the Apex (which still is superior, but I like the extra weight in the pull for a carry piece).