IMPORTANT Shield message!

[Mlangford75]

DO NOT remove the sleeve from the extended magazine. The Military Arms Channel suggested this practice but it could be fatal. Please watch this video explanation.
https://youtu.be/2D2-lGg8H-8

 

[eb07]

I couldn't stop looking at the oreos. I'm hungry now.

 

[ChiefStealth]

You have saved my life!

 

[RobzGuns]

Many of us have been telling people Not to run the extended mags without the sleeve for years now. Also... This is not exclusive to the Shield. This could happen with any Brand/Model that utilizes mag sleeves on extended mags. (XDsc using XD FS mags, XDMc using XDM mags, Glocks using larger Glock mags, etc).

This guy took it easy and showed how it can make contact with the ejector. Can you imagine what could happen to the ejector if someone slammed the mag in with the slide open? Major over-insertion can occur.

While a decent visual explanation of how it can make contact, it's too bad the guy didn't redo the video with better camera control, or demonstrate proper safety by using Dummy Rounds/Snap-Caps.
(I know... I'm being knit-picky [shrug].)

While it can indeed bend/break the ejector, which can cause FTEject problems, I'm not sure why you say it could be "Fatal"... Unless you mean that if it caused a FTEject during a firefight?

 

[Mlangford75]

With the slide locked up, a good, firm insertion can dislodge the top round and create a terrible double feed. ( a true double feed instead of what we normally associate a failure to extract) if the ejecter is bent, the gun is all but useless. These malfunctions are what I meant, in the context of a defensive shooting, could prove fatal. The Military Arms Channel suggested to thousands that it is preferable to remove the sleeve all together. I know the quality is bad but I only wanted to get the information oUT for Shield owners to also verify.

 

[RobzGuns]

Okay... Wasn't sure if you meant Fatal at ANY time (even at the range) or when the adrenalin gets pumping in a real life encounter.

I watched a friend during practical shooting practice actually slam an extended mag (w/o sleeve) into a pistol vigorously enough to have the mag:
... Jump the mag release button, (not an easy task)
... Snap the ejector (not just bend it)
and be inserted far enough that the slide got hung up on the rear of the mag (unable to close).
and this was just adrenalin during a competition practice.

So yeah... Not using the mag sleeve is not a good idea.

 

[Magload]

I got tired of seeing the spacer slid up the mags so Super glued them to the mag. Just a drop on the top edge I can still remove the floor plate. Don

 

[hoc9sw]

Amazing to me how folks will "modify" equipment that has a reason to exist. I tend to think of it as an elimination of idiots opportunity, worthy of a Darwin award.

I use the 7 round for carry, the 8 with a super-glued collar at the range. It helped that I got a half-dozen 7s for $20 each, so I've learned to use them.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

Well that's a completely retarded design.

S&W could at least offer non-bulky floorplates like the 10-8 M&P45 extended magazine floorplates.

 

[marine6680]

The grip sleeve provides gripping surface... Having a mag like you show does not do it as well. Sure there is something there you can get a finger on, but it isn't optimal.

The sleeve on the shield mag isn't very large so it's not really adding much bulk to the mag.

At least the sleeve is designed that the baseplate can be removed with it glued in place. Some sleeves do not allow that.

 

[Raised on a Deere]

I feel like a dummy now. What is the supposed reason or improvement in some situation or other that would cause anyone to recommend using with the sleeve off. Is it cosmetic, improved grip for some hands, what? I can think of nothing that would temp me to remove it except to perhaps unwittingly decide it is just cosmetic and leave it off out of ignorance of its function. Just wondering. I am not expert with guns but interested.

 

[Bob O]

Maybe they think your pinky finger would provide a better grip if it could fit in the gap where the spacer was? This pic for illustrative purposes only.....I'm leaving my spacers installed. It's very uncomfortable gripping it without the spacer.

 

[Motorsporting]

Does this apply to using a FS mag in a 9c also?

 

[RobzGuns]

Does this apply to using a FS mag in a 9c also?

Like I wrote in my original reply, this can happen in any Brand/Model that shares a larger mag with another pistol.

If you have the C and a FS mag, Remove the sleeve, field strip the C and replicate what the OP did in his video.

 

[rwsmith]

What exactly are consequences???

I presume that on inserting an improper mag assembly the ejector could strike a round, setting it off outside the chamber. Does this actually happen or is it hypothetical?

 

[marine6680]

You won't set off a round...

You may cause a round to pop out of place and cause a jam, you may bend the magazine feed lip causing improper feeding of the rounds meaning constant jams from that mag, and you may bend the ejector which breaks the gun and it will need repair.


The reason to remove it, is to slim up the profile for carry as a spare.

Also, unless it is glued into place, it can slide around. Some feel this can cause issues when reloading under stress, as the sleeve will bind up a bit and may induce panic when the mag does not seat easily. It also may pinch the hand when inserting the mag... But to me that's a minor issue when the situation is dire, as it wouldn't be noticed.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

The grip sleeve provides gripping surface... Having a mag like you show does not do it as well. Sure there is something there you can get a finger on, but it isn't optimal.

The sleeve on the shield mag isn't very large so it's not really adding much bulk to the mag.

At least the sleeve is designed that the baseplate can be removed with it glued in place. Some sleeves do not allow that.

I find that the sleeves are bulky and they interfere with reloading. They tend to hang up on the heel of my hand when ejecting the mag, make the mag slower to get out of my pocket, slide up making it more difficult to insert the magazine, and I have pinched my hand when inserting a new magazine.

The style of floorplate I mentioned offers an insertion stop with little of the bulk and other defects of the factory sleeve. Ideally the pistol would have been designed without this defect, but it wasn't so that seems like the best aftermarket solution.

 

[Motorsporting]

I can confirm on my 9c the same problem. I didn't pull out my manual, but does anyone know if S/W advises against using a FS mag in a C model (with or without a sleeve)? In other words, since I have already "damaged" my ejector (there's a little mark on it - but no obvious problems at the range), is this a design defect that needs to be repaired by them, or by me?

 

[RobzGuns]

I can confirm on my 9c the same problem. I didn't pull out my manual, but does anyone know if S/W advises against using a FS mag in a C model (with or without a sleeve)? In other words, since I have already "damaged" my ejector (there's a little mark on it - but no obvious problems at the range), is this a design defect that needs to be repaired by them, or by me?

I don't see a M&Pc specific manual online and there's nothing in the (regular) M&P manual discussing it. I did not look on their FAQ page to see if it's discussed there. It might be worth checking.

If it's not covered on the FAQ page, I'd suggest doing a search of the M&Pc specific threads to see if using a FS mag in a C has been discussed (it probably has), to see if it's actually sanctioned by S&W.

You could also email S&W CS (without mentioning your specific situation) and ask their position on using a FS mag, with or without a sleeve.

If it's not sanctioned by S&W, then it wouldn't be covered under warranty. My guess is that if it IS sanctioned, they'd say to use a sleeve, or it would be considered "User Induced Damage" not covered by warranty.

The thing is, I wouldn't consider "a little mark on it" to be Damaged, nor would I consider such damage to be a 'Design Defect'.