I looked at how both mags are held in place in the Shield. My short mag has more engagement with the mag release than does the extended mag. I used the hammer and punch fix on the extended mag and, voila, no more mag drops. I think it is a mag problem, not the gun. S&W could probably cure the mag drop problem by simply(?) changing the extended mag specs.
M&P SHIELD 0.40 CALIBER MAGAZINE DROP PROBLEM POLL
- Thread starter CJWig
- Start date
- Status
I looked at how both mags are held in place in the Shield. My short mag has more engagement with the mag release than does the extended mag. I used the hammer and punch fix on the extended mag and, voila, no more mag drops. I think it is a mag problem, not the gun. S&W could probably cure the mag drop problem by simply(?) changing the extended mag specs.
doriandk
Member
Just got it back. Only the paperwork says I've got new magazines. Not a new mag catch. I called to specify and they said each one is looked at on a case by case basis. Some mag catches are being replaced and some are getting new magazines. I will try to shoot a box through it tonight and post the results.
By the way...the magazines definitely seat more securely and with a more pronounced 'click' than they did. So that is promising.
Fix seems to work (whatever they did)
Got mine yesterday. No paperwork included. Long magazine fits much more securely. Short one a little more but still a gap. However, this one had not fallen out like the longer.
Fired the long magazine today, about 40 rounds, with and without an extra range in the chamber.
So far, so good. No magazine dropping.
I'm optimistic!
Got mine yesterday. No paperwork included. Long magazine fits much more securely. Short one a little more but still a gap. However, this one had not fallen out like the longer.
Fired the long magazine today, about 40 rounds, with and without an extra range in the chamber.
So far, so good. No magazine dropping.
I'm optimistic!
seattle911
Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2007
- Messages
- 96
- Reaction score
- 8
This may mean, as some have speculated, that this problem is a magazine problem more than a mag catch problem.
Got mine back today with two new mags. The new mags have been modified by S&W with the "hammer and punch" method some on this forum are using. If you compare the new mags to the old ones, the mag catch groove in the magazine has been pushed out a couple of millimeters. Engagement when the mag is inserted into the gun is much more positive now.
I'm encouraged, because it is clear that they modified the mags to increase engagement with the mag catch. The mag release has to be depressed further to release the mag, but the mag still drops free.
It may be a week or more before I can test the gun. For others who have received their guns back with new mags, check to see if the mags have been modified.
I'm encouraged, because it is clear that they modified the mags to increase engagement with the mag catch. The mag release has to be depressed further to release the mag, but the mag still drops free.
It may be a week or more before I can test the gun. For others who have received their guns back with new mags, check to see if the mags have been modified.
doriandk
Member
Shot a box through...no problems. I'm happy as a clam so far. Not ready to carry it until it holds up for while longer, however.
MacDanny
Member
Got mine back, and just like Fabius and doriandk the paperwork indicated new mags, not a new mag release. I also perceive much more definitive click and seating of the mag now, but obviously it is difficult to know for sure. Wish I knew what to look for with the one-piece mag release itself...
Will shoot this weekend and post results as well. At this point, the outlook is neutral for me until I get 100+ more rounds through the gun.
Bikemobile
Member
I modified my mags and it seems to have cured my mag drop.
Are you guys being sent "new" mags with different specs or are they modifying yours by hand and sending them back to you?
Are you guys being sent "new" mags with different specs or are they modifying yours by hand and sending them back to you?
doriandk
Member
I can't say for sure, but the polymer "pinky" piece on the bottom of the extended mag used to slide up and down the mag as it was really loose. It appears to be more snug now. So unless they did something to actually increase the circumference of the mag...I'm guessing it's a different mag.
doriandk
Member
The paperwork said "New Mag," but again, not certain.
The "new" mags that were sent back with the gun appear to have been modified by hand. It looks like they used a hammer and punch to push out the top of the mag catch slot on the right side in order to provide more engagement with the mag catch. If you compare the slots on the right and left side, the left side is flat while the right side now has a small "bump."
I say that it was done by hand because there is a slight difference in the appearance of the "bump" on the two mags, so it looks like the mag was modified after manufacture.
Seems like S&W should be having people send in their mags, not their guns. I sent in my pistol without the mags and got back the pistol with two new mags.
Just got my Shield .40 back from repair they said they replaced the Mag Catch. The mag seems to be snapping in with a more noticeable snap to it. Plus the mag seems to be more firmly seated now. Have to go to the range this weekend to test it out.
Installed my new mag catch and it did not work - got mag drops on both magazines. Both catches were a solid magnetic part. The original was embossed with a small "1" and the new mag catch was embossed "2". I measured various dimensions of both parts with a caliper and could not find a dimensional difference between the two parts. Therefore, it is not surprising that the gun is still malfunctioning. I have concluded the best solution is to push out the mag hole slightly as others have stated.
Last edited:
Same problem here. Extended mag drops every time I shoot it.
No problem with short mag.
Called S&W customer service, the guy I talked to had no idea about the problem. He said there are about 20 people taking calls, and mine was the first one he heard about dropping the mag.
If this problem is this widespread, how come they (S&W customer service), acted as if mine was the first one they heard about.
I will be selling it at the gun show this weekend.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2012
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
Just wanted to stop by and post that my Shield with serial number DXX hasn't shown any sign of the problems listed in this thread after 100 rounds today. Tested with one in the chamber and a fully loaded extended magazine. No problems whatsoever.
Will run another hundred through it next week for further testing.
Will run another hundred through it next week for further testing.
SavageSmoker
Member
I have been following this thread with great interest, being a .40 Shield owner. This morning I decided to call S&W and inquire about the issue. Did not get the same of the service rep. I stated I had heard of the mag drop issues and wanted to make sure that 1) they knew about it and 2) my gun was not affected. He stated they knew about the issue and asked me how many rounds I have through the gun. I told him 500+ and he said if I had not had an issue yet I should be fine. To confirm, he asked for the serial number of the gun. He looked it up and said it was "produced this year" and none in that batch were affected. Serial number is DXT25xx. I wonder if he was just blowing smoke. Maybe another owner not having issues should call and inquire about the mag drops. Just a thought.
- Status
Similar threads
