M&P Shield 45 recoil spring

[Pete1971]

Hello friends, while stripping down my shield 45 for it's 3rd cleaning the recoil spring blew apart, looks like the little stop at the top of the spring housing loosened up can't tell if it screws back in or just push it in either way it's a pain so just sent an email to smith in hopes they'll send me another one ? any one else have this happen after 300 rounds ?

anyone with experience with ss guide rods 45 shield recoil spring ? might order one as back up as I've heard good things about the shield 9 guide rod

 

[gonerydin]

Fairly common Shield issue. Ours (9 mm) came apart in under 500 rounds. The replacement has been working for 2 years. I thought about ordering a backup but just never got around to it. We have plenty of backup weapons so it's not a priority.


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[swsig]

Shield RSAs have been known to fail like that, but overall, it's a pretty rare event these days, especially with the .45. S&W will send you a new one, free. It should last for many thousands of rounds. I have 2800 rounds on my Shield .45, and my original RSA is working perfectly. There's no need to spring for an aftermarket RSA.

 

[clarkg1124]

I put the ssguiderod.com unit in my .45 Shield.It works very well.I hadn't had any trouble from the stock RSA-I did it for peace of mind.
Clark

 

[ScaryWoody]

I was thinking about getting the stainless guide rod. I just hate to spend the $40.

 

[gqllc007]

I put the ssguiderod.com unit in my .45 Shield.It works very well.I hadn't had any trouble from the stock RSA-I did it for peace of mind.
Clark

I did this with my Shield 9mm and Shield .45
Perfect solution to the recoil spring issues

 

[xdmshooter59]

SS Guide rod here as well for my PC Shield 9. No issues so far and the added benefit of a slide that isn't so stiff, much easier to manipulate the slide.

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[stevieg420]

Picked up the new shield in .45, ran about 200 rounds through it and it seemed like the recoil spring was binding up, it wouldn't go into battery properly, wouldn't eject properly, they sent me a new guid rod assembly and I installed it. Same issue, no change. Sent it back again, just got it back 20 minutes ago, seems a lot smoother, will be going to the range to test it out today.

 

[SATX]

Mine broke too. I called support and had a new one in a week. I also bought the SS as a backup.

 

[ultratec00]

I have SSguiderods in my shield 9mm and both my Shield 45s. No issues to date and they work perfectly with my choice of ammunition.

 

[ScaryWoody]

Do you notice any difference in recoil between factory and the SS guide rod?

Found Coupon Code 10% SSFACEBOOK

 

[ultratec00]

This topic has been discussed many times over the forum. The spring is lighter and there is a caveat about using +P ammunition. I stick to standard pressure loads that are manageable in a short barreled 45. No discernible difference in recoil, the slide is easier to rack, and I've noticed tighter groupings with particular loads.

That said, you may/may not experience the same other than the slide being easier to manage. It's common practice, and knowledge, that loads and spring weight can be tuned. In my case, the loads like the lighter spring, in some cases maybe not. Doesn't mean accuracy, and/or recoil, won't be acceptable to your standard. The stock spring was made to work "acceptably" over a WIDE range of bullet weights/pressures.

Do you notice any difference in recoil between factory and the SS guide rod?

Found Coupon Code 10% SSFACEBOOK

 

[BigDog48]

I was thinking about getting the stainless guide rod. I just hate to spend the $40.

Sorry to disagree with many on the forum, but I'd say save your money. You need not replace that which is not broken, nor would I use a different guide rod, therefore voiding my warranty if it caused a failure. I bought them for both my 9 and 45...read more about the issues they could cause, and sold them without ever installing them on this forum.

I still have both my 9 and 45 Shields and both work very well with original parts (more than 1000 rounds through the 9 and more than 500 through the 45).

 

[xdmshooter59]

I've had my SS guide rod assembly for two years now on my PC Shield with a couple thousand rounds thru it and happy to report no issues/malfunctions what so ever. The main reason I did so was because of how stiff the action was with the OEM setup. Now its much smoother and easier to rack the slide. I see no apparent abnormal wear either since installing the SS unit. $40 well spent IMO.

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[Geo2599]

45 M&T shield RSA failure 2024

Wow, I wish I would've seen these posts before purchasing my new shield 45 ACP. It looks like this is a known issue and it is still an issue. shot the gun once took it apart the clean and the recoil spring assembly flew off. I reached out to Smith & Wesson and And after two weeks still no ETA on a new recoil spring assembly They claim it is not a known issue according to two separate customer service reps I must say I am not too happy with my new purchase. Will probably go back to carrying my GLOCK.

 

[Guevera]

Inspired by this thread, I bought a spare from Midwest Gun Works which arrived today. No complaints about the pistol - in fact, it carries besutifully - but thought it might be a good thing to have another spring assembly in inventory.

 

[swsig]

Wow, I wish I would've seen these posts before purchasing my new shield 45 ACP. It looks like this is a known issue and it is still an issue. shot the gun once took it apart the clean and the recoil spring assembly flew off. I reached out to Smith & Wesson and And after two weeks still no ETA on a new recoil spring assembly They claim it is not a known issue according to two separate customer service reps I must say I am not too happy with my new purchase. Will probably go back to carrying my GLOCK.

Actually, defective Shield 45 recoil spring assemblies have not been a source of complaints here on the Forum. If it was a known issue, we certainly would have heard about it here. Now early Shield 9s had LOTS of problems with defective RSAs. I should know, because I started a long thread about the RSA problems I had with my Shield 9. I even had a Shield 9 RSA fly apart like yours after its first use, so it can happen. Fortunately S&W eventually got its act together, and Shield 45 RSAs seem to be pretty well made. The original RSA on my Shield 45, for example, is still going strong after 8,000 rounds. However, a bad one can certainly slip through now and then.

What surprises me is S&W's customer service reaction to your complaint. They should have immediately shipped you a new one free of charge. While it may not be a known issue in general, it is certainly an issue for you. If you can, send them a photo of your failed RSA. If that doesn't work, ask (nicely) to speak to a customer service supervisor. I've always found S&W customer service people to be agreeable. They even authorized a total rebuild of my well-worn M&P 40c free of charge. I hope the attitude they gave you is not a reflection of a change in S&W's willingness to support their lifetime service policy. Good Luck!

 

[Well Armed]

Actually, defective Shield 45 recoil spring assemblies have not been a source of complaints here on the Forum. If it was a known issue, we certainly would have heard about it here. Now early Shield 9s had LOTS of problems with defective RSAs. I should know, because I started a long thread about the RSA problems I had with my Shield 9. I even had a Shield 9 RSA fly apart like yours after its first use, so it can happen. Fortunately S&W eventually got its act together, and Shield 45 RSAs seem to be pretty well made. The original RSA on my Shield 45, for example, is still going strong after 8,000 rounds. However, a bad one can certainly slip through now and then.

What surprises me is S&W's customer service reaction to your complaint. They should have immediately shipped you a new one free of charge. While it may not be a known issue in general, it is certainly an issue for you. If you can, send them a photo of your failed RSA. If that doesn't work, ask (nicely) to speak to a customer service supervisor. I've always found S&W customer service people to be agreeable. They even authorized a total rebuild of my well-worn M&P 40c free of charge. I hope the attitude they gave you is not a reflection of a change in S&W's willingness to support their lifetime service policy. Good Luck!

My Shield 45 recoil spring assembly few apart to without the first 50 rounds through the gun. S&W sent me a replacement free of charge. I think all they requested is that I sent them a picture of the broken spring.

 

[Well Armed]

Wow, I wish I would've seen these posts before purchasing my new shield 45 ACP. It looks like this is a known issue and it is still an issue. shot the gun once took it apart the clean and the recoil spring assembly flew off. I reached out to Smith & Wesson and And after two weeks still no ETA on a new recoil spring assembly They claim it is not a known issue according to two separate customer service reps I must say I am not too happy with my new purchase. Will probably go back to carrying my GLOCK.

I realize you're probably a one and done drive-by member who won't ever see this, but for the record....

It will take time for them to respond if you send an email or use the warranty form on their website. Be patient, or better yet call them. The Shield 45 is superior to the Glock 30, 30s, and 36, so you'll be downgrading with regards to a thin, lightweight, soft shooting 45acp.

It's been 6 years since they sent the replacement, and I haven't had any issues. They also sent a follow-up email with tracking.