m&p shield 45 ftf (failure to feed)

[Shfoster]

I have a Shield 45, with both a 1.0 and 2.0 slide. The pistol has apex carry kit and about 5500 plus rounds down range.
It recently started ftf, both 6 and 7 rnd mags (4 of each) all with new style followers.have replaced rsa 5 times, an no joy.
To keep this short I have read many posts about the same problem with this gun, many sent back to factory, returned and had same problem,Others changed mag springs, polished,changed extractor and extractor spring(new style extractor) etc. no joy. For the first 4500 or so rounds, no issues, nothing except round count has changed. Factory or reloads, same.Cleaned 6 round mags multiple times, have a few 7 round mags in pieces,(problem getting back together, separate issue)
Have had 4 practiced shooters shoot and same issues.
love the gun , but can not count on it any longer.
Since there has been no resolution for multiple users returning their guns to factory, I am looking for anyone who has had this issue with their m&p shield 45 resolved.
I truly enjoy the shield 45, even better than my full size m&p 45.Would prefer not to look for another brand.
Thanks in advance.
Steve

 

[cracker57]

How does the feed ramp look? First I would try polishing the ramp.
what style bullet RN, JHP, cast or plated FMJ? what about the COL of rounds I see you said factory and reloads are both giving the same results.
I am by no means an expert so hopefully some one with more experience will help you out.
good luck.

 

[swsig]

I'll reply just to bump your post back to the top, but I can't offer much help. I had failures to feed during the first 2,500 rounds with my Shield 45, but those were with the original followers. Once I installed the revised followers, the failures to feed went away. I now have 8,000 rounds through my Shield 45, so I've shot 5,500 problem-free rounds since. I do polish my feed ramp every time I clean it, and I clean after every range session. It's also possible that weakened magazine springs may have contributed to the failures, but that seems an unlikely source as my springs are original and are still going strong.

As to the annoying 7-round magazine reassembly, here's a link to a thread that has some tips about how to do it:

Shield .45 7-round magazine reassembly tip

 

[pantannojack]

I got my Shield 45 some years ago used/as new from a dealer for only 3 Bones. I was not looking for nor desired a plastic fantastic lover. A SW teck said that all 45 Shields are 2.0 at the time. Once I got to training with it I fell into bliss. It needed the fattening of a Houge Handall grip adapter, although difficult to place (a little Windex lubricant and hot water helped). I've had three failure to close to full battery in some 4 years, all of them hand loads. I looked closely at the rear of the bbl searching for burrs and satisfied myself by stroking lightly with a ceramic rod some high spots. I use self cast 200g SWC RCBS sized .452 lubed with 50/50 alox, beeswax. I plunk test the loaded rounds prior to placing in the box. I had to drift the r sight 1 mm, I forgot which way, for my right handed grip. I love it so much I picked up another for a spare in case I lost the first. Not likely. Ps, It has a Thumb Safety, or It would not be mine.

 

[PUPP86]

No issues with my Shield 45 in close to 9k rounds. I did have one 7rd mag with the old style follower I picked up in a trade and SW sent a couple of the new style ones out.

My kid has the Shield 45 Performance Center with close to the same round count and has had zero issues as well.

Hopefully you get the problem worked out as I think the Shield 45 is an awesome carry piece.

 

[armorer951]

Have you replaced the recoil guide rod assembly? This is a critical part that needs to be replaced at regular intervals.




Carter

 

[song dog]

I'll reply just to bump your post back to the top, but I can't offer much help. I had failures to feed during the first 2,500 rounds with my Shield 45, but those were with the original followers. Once I installed the revised followers, the failures to feed went away. I now have 8,000 rounds through my Shield 45, so I've shot 5,500 problem-free rounds since. I do polish my feed ramp every time I clean it, and I clean after every range session. It's also possible that weakened magazine springs may have contributed to the failures, but that seems an unlikely source as my springs are original and are still going strong.

As to the annoying 7-round magazine reassembly, here's a link to a thread that has some tips about how to do it:

Shield .45 7-round magazine reassembly tip

That's an impressive round count, most shooters never obtain close to that round count, says a lot for you and Shield .45.
Just another favorable post for the .45 Shield, while I own the 2.0 Shield single stack have never shot the .45 Shield yet.

 

[swsig]

That's an impressive round count, most shooters never obtain close to that round count, says a lot for you and Shield .45.
Just another favorable post for the .45 Shield, while I own the 2.0 Shield single stack have never shot the .45 Shield yet.

Rent one at your favorite range. But be warned: you may never go back to your Shield 9.

 

[Jerry-R]

I did some searching, and I cannot find "revised followers" on the interwebs, or Smith's web site. I'm having feed problems with mine, and would like to try the newer followers. Mine is not a 2.0 I used the "Contact" screen on Smith's site to ask them as well.
Any help on locating them would be greatly appreciated.

 

[1sailor]

I had the follower problem earlier this year. I contacted Smith and they sent me two new ones free. Arrived pretty quickly too.

 

[ladder13]

I was trying to sell a 45 Shield for a friend by advertising for him on local gun forums. He is not computer savvy.

No buyers, so I just paid him recently and now it’s mine.

First a P365, then a P322, then a Bodyguard 2.0, now a 45 Shield. Polymer has taken over my life.

 

[Jerry-R]

Update: S&W emailed a reply to my Contact request with the following number
1-800-331-0852
The followers are in stock, and they are shipping me 8.

 

[cracker57]

let us know if it takes care of your problem.

 

[Jerry-R]

First update: Followers arrived. Charged me $12 for 8 total including shipping. Friend ordered six and they are not charging him anything. LOL just my luck.
Okay, some very subtle differences, but they are different. Following image for your information on the diffs. S&W part number shown on the bag in the photo composite; that is times 8 not 48. Update number two will come when I have a chance to go to the range.
Shield Follow Specs for posting by Jerry R, on Flickr

 

[LVSteve]

I would surmise that the cut on the left side is to prevent the follower binding near the top of the magazine.

 

[Jerry-R]

Phooey. Friend received his revised followers. Bag had the same part number. His have the metal plate that covers the slide stop cut out. Guess I'm gonna have to pull the plates from my old mags and re-use them.

 

[Shfoster]

update to shield 45 problems

Strange, but after replacing the ejector, (kind of a pain), my problem child is behaving. with a cleaned 7 round mag (what a pain) and a dirty 7 round mag, the gun seems to be back to it's old self. Thanks so much for all of the replies and suggestions. I tried many, and none seemed to make any difference. I have my fingers crossed that for some unknown reason changing the ejector which appeared a slight bit worn, was it.all seems well for about 300 rounds, so far. Will post how things go after my next speed steel and bowling pin shoots. carry what you shoot, shoot what you carry.
Steve

 

[medic2621]

I have a Shield 45, with both a 1.0 and 2.0 slide. The pistol has apex carry kit and about 5500 plus rounds down range.
It recently started ftf, both 6 and 7 rnd mags (4 of each) all with new style followers.have replaced rsa 5 times, an no joy.
To keep this short I have read many posts about the same problem with this gun, many sent back to factory, returned and had same problem,Others changed mag springs, polished,changed extractor and extractor spring(new style extractor) etc. no joy. For the first 4500 or so rounds, no issues, nothing except round count has changed. Factory or reloads, same.Cleaned 6 round mags multiple times, have a few 7 round mags in pieces,(problem getting back together, separate issue)
Have had 4 practiced shooters shoot and same issues.
love the gun , but can not count on it any longer.
Since there has been no resolution for multiple users returning their guns to factory, I am looking for anyone who has had this issue with their m&p shield 45 resolved.
I truly enjoy the shield 45, even better than my full size m&p 45.Would prefer not to look for another brand.
Thanks in advance.
Steve

just bought mine doesn't work at all smith and wesson should be sued in a class action i am sending it back and telling them to keep the piece of junk you can find tons of people that send theirs back and it does no good i wont even sell it at a loss at the local gun shop. if smith would have run 3 mags before sending it out they would have experienced ten failure to feeds i will be posting every where i can until they recall all of them and give people their money back

 

[DaSvenska]

just bought mine doesn't work at all smith and wesson should be sued in a class action i am sending it back and telling them to keep the piece of junk you can find tons of people that send theirs back and it does no good i wont even sell it at a loss at the local gun shop. if smith would have run 3 mags before sending it out they would have experienced ten failure to feeds i will be posting every where i can until they recall all of them and give people their money back

Nothing since last September on this particular gun issue, I’m over 1k rounds thru mine with no issues. I had no idea this was an issue with this gun. Loads of positive feedback on it. @medic2621, please post back if you get some relief on this as there a lot of folks who cc this gun.