M&P Shield 9 garbage wish I hadn't bought

[RussC]

Its got nothing to do with buyers remorse we love the look and feel of the gun and the good reviews we read. It was $450 its not like I bought a 400K house and am getting cold feet it wasn't a big investment at all we are just dissapointed in how it works and the customer service. Not saying everyone has this experiance we are just sharing ours. If we had a good experiance we would have shared that also. We are going to take it to the dealer tomorrow for a second opinion. I have invited everyone who emailed me locally to come and try the gun out at my house if they like. Thanks

I am not defending poor customer support but in light of the overwhelming demand for guns lately due to Pres Obama and followers screaming gun control I would imagine it isn't real fun seeing your workload go through the roof. I think we need to cut these hard working folks at S&W and other gun manufacturers some slack.

Russ

 

[mrmrules]

I checked the spring its aligned properly. I am going to take the gun in tomorrow to let the shop owner have it and troubleshoot it. As far as cutting these folks some slack I think thats rediculous I work just as hard for my money as anyone does and they offered the lifetime warranty with the gun so to take them up on it I didnt think was unreasonable at all to expect what I paid for. I do understand they are swamped but if they dont have time to honor the warranty then why offer one? I was very polite on the phone just hoping to get the gun to operate correctly just like how all of my others do. If they told me there would be a long wait then that would have been fine. The fact that she told me that there was nothing she was going to do is what pissed me off. If someone has an issue with a brand new gun out of the box why wouldnt they look at the gun to confirm it wasnt a manufacturing or workmanship issue? Hopefully the gun shop can help me out. Thanks

 

[Shielded]

Mrmrules

Is your recoil spring aligned properly?

I read months back a person having issues and come to find out the recoil spring was not aligned properly and it would bind making the slide not go into battery.

Wish I could remember the post. I only vaguely remember bits and pieces of the discussion.

Russ

I'm with you Russ, I remember that as well.

 

[bobnieder]

Yes, I recall the post also -- if you get the double recoil spring out of line before you put the slide back on the rails after field stripping your pistol, it will bind and cause it to stop short of fully going into battery. It's worth taking it apart to double check that the spring assembly is absolutely straight front to back before deciding that the pistol is not working properly.


As you've heard again and again, any one of us would take the Shield off your hands gladly -- because with a little TLC and some breaking in -- magazine springs and recoil springs will loosen up with use -- this pistol is a winner. You've had a bad experience and associate a lot of bad feelings with this pistol, so you'll probably be happier with a different one. By the way, one of the reasons the action is a little stiff is that double recoil spring -- which is also responsible for a small gun like the Shield being such a soft shooter (low "felt" recoil). S&W tried to balance the tensions, you just don't like the balance point they chose.

(Sorry -- i was writing at the same time as you were, so we "cross posted".)

 

[mrmrules]

Is there a stiffer spring available for this gun?

 

[KEN L]

Sounds like that would only compound your problem. I'd be curious to know what the dealer has to say about it. Do let us know......

 

[GKC]

I was very polite on the phone just hoping to get the gun to operate correctly just like how all of my others do. If they told me there would be a long wait then that would have been fine. The fact that she told me that there was nothing she was going to do is what pissed me off. If someone has an issue with a brand new gun out of the box why wouldnt they look at the gun to confirm it wasnt a manufacturing or workmanship issue?

Unless you just don't want the gun, I would call back and ask to speak to a manager, and talk to him or her about your experience. I have been confronted many times with poor service from various companies, and I don't get angry, I start going up the chain of command. Most major companies value their customers, and want to make them happy...for repeat business...and if they have a problem rep (or maybe one who was just having a bad day) they want to know about it and will make it right.

 

[Shielded]

Is there a stiffer spring available for this gun?

Not that I've heard of. I'd check that spring though & see if it looks weird or something. My wife likes our Glock 19 over any other center fire shes tried, including our Shield. BTW the PK 380 did have a recall awhile back, just so ya know. Good Luck!

 

[Lost Lake]

I just got a Shield also.

I swore up and down if mine hung up just before locking into battery I was going to sell the dang thing. Well guess what? It DID but I didn't.

It does lock up when the slide is released from full back. But I'm worried about maybe bumping out of battery, in a holster, during presentation, whenever, I want it in battery so the thing fires, right?!?!

The problem is after a couple hundred rounds I have a hard time getting it to hang up. Then someone here told me this tidbit:

Put in a snap cap or a fired shell and let it catch just out of battery. When you pull the trigger slowly you will see it go into battery just before firing! The slide is hanging up on the trigger bar or something, and it releases when you pull the trigger.

Now I may do some polishing inside, but it just hasn't been an issue even when I try to make it fail.

Give that a whirl and tell us what happens.

 

[HotRoderX]

I think the op pretty much made his mind up how he feel's. I dont think anything we say or do will change his mind.

One riding the slide will cause it not to fully go into battery that's with any semi automatic. All my semi auto's from my AR to my 1911 will have chamber issues when riding the slide/Charging handle.

My guess is the reason its binding up is because his GF is limp wristing it. My buddy cant shoot my glock to save his life because he limp wrist every round. The thing will fail to go back into battery every single time.

As far as Smith and Wesson's phone support being rude. Remember if you called in with a attitude and a chip on your shoulder your not going to get good service.

 

[GKC]

As far as Smith and Wesson's phone support being rude. Remember if you called in with a attitude and a chip on your shoulder your not going to get good service.

That's true...the reps are human too. If you start out saying "I have a problem with this piece of garbage I wish I hadn't bought..." you probably won't get a sympathetic ear. He did say he was polite...hopefully more so than the way he started this thread.

 

[EvilNuff]

Several people have nailed it on the head...you have to use the gun properly in order for it to work. That means pull the slide fully back and let it go. Mine works 100% fine when I do this, if I ride the slide I can get every single gun I own to stick out of battery, not just the shield.

Address the problem of your wife's strength and technique don't blame the gun for her problems.

 

[perfectcircle1]

mine will do the same. its s non-issue

Sent from my SCH-R760 using Tapatalk 2

 

[OneJzsupra]

I had this issue when I first got my FNH Five SeveN and after I looked at the weapon I figured out the issue wasn't the gun it was me. I was ***** racking it by trying to pull the slide back and riding it in when I should have just racked it like a man.

Two things helped....

Number one: I fired the new gun a few times to get it to brake in.
Number Two: I used Flitz metal polish on the barrel

After doing what I did above I NEVER had the issue again. I could ride the slide if I wanted too and it would go in to battery like it should.

Also i'm sure it's been said before... clean and relube it.

 

[jajo]

I would never pick out a handgun for someone else. That said, a brand new Shield is very stiff...mine was.

Similar issue with a friend at work. He purchased a 9mm Shield for his wife. Neither of them can rack the slide (easily). I have a standing offer to buy it from him for purchase price, and have offered to shoot and clean it for him to break it in. The action on mine just keeps getting better with use. And it shoots very soft for a subcompact 9mm.

I would take her to a gun shop and look at other pistols. I really liked the action on the Sig 938, but the grip was a little small for my hand. The Sig is a bit more expensive, but a good fitting pistol with a smooth action may be invaluable if needed.

I'm a fan of the Shield, but understand that one size doesn't fit all.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[tgmorris99]

I'll start off by saying that I really like my M&P Shield 9mm as it works as designed and hits what I'm aiming at. That said, they make a wide variety of handguns because there are a wide variety of uses and people. A handgun is definitely not a one-size-fits-all device and if the GF can't rack the slide on the Shield the way it needs to be done, for whatever reason, then the Shield is simply not for her.

IMNSHO the only mistake the OP made was not having his GF try the Shield out prior to purchasing it as a gift. I think we all can agree that a weapon is a very personal item and the fit and ability to operate it properly in an emergency situation is paramount.

 

[feelinlucky]

Well, since your Shield is garbage, you're going to have a hard time getting rid of it. I'll do you a favor and give you $200 for it.

 

[M29since14]

...The fact that she told me that there was nothing she was going to do is what pissed me off.

Rightly so. A good CS rep NEVER tells a customer something like that and if she did, she needs some training - some very basic training.

Over the years I have seen some pretty poor attitudes at S&W when I have called in asking for help. It is better now than it used to be, or at least it seems so, but in my opinion they have been far from perfect in the past and the mentality that they can be erratic when they answer CS calls still seems to be alive and well. There is just no excuse for stupid CS responses, even if the inquiry is less than polite. (And I am not saying the OP was; just stating a principle.)

I believe the OP is having some sort of problem with his Shield that we cannot divine from his writing, particularly his opening post, but it also appears S&W did not do their job when he called. If that is the case I do not blame him one bit for being angry. I hope his local shop can help him get things straightened out.

 

[Horsehaulin]

I would like this for my wife! I can't find it in the classifieds?

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Well, since your Shield is garbage, you're going to have a hard time getting rid of it. I'll do you a favor and give you $200 for it.

I'll give him $201 j/k

Seriously though, riding the slide on the Shields and having it not go fully into battery has been documented before and is normal. You pull the slide back fully, let go and it's gtg. I traded my 9mm Shield in when I shot it side by side with my XDS 45 (just liked the XDS better) and if you ride the slide on that, it will have chambering issues too. It's the nature of the beast weather it's a fullsize gun or subcompact, although it seems to happen with the subcompacts more often.

 

[RobzGuns]

Is there a stiffer spring available for this gun?

Wouldn't a stiffer recoil spring make it Harder to rack?

 

[highaltitude]

If you want to give the gun a 2nd chance, here's my suggestion;

(1) Don't worry about pulling the slide slightly back and it not going into battery. It's not an issue with the function of the gun.

(2) For racking, do not use the "slingshot" method for racking the slide. It's a subcompact and stiff new, very difficult to do. Instead, use the "over the top power method" for racking. Pull slightly with your left hand on the slide while pushing the gun vigorously forward with your right hand (assuming your right handed). Any gun can be racked this way and very easily. You can have her practice this with the Shield empty and the magazine removed. I would not mess with snap caps at all.

Good luck !

 

[DonJack100]

I'm in the same boat. My very small autos (Kahr PM9 and Shield) have strong recoil springs that require a little strength to operate. My 4' 10 1/2" wife cannot pull the slide back so she's not interested in them. Right now she shoots (when I can get her to the range) a S&W Model 13-3 revolver. She shoots .38's in this revolver that is stout enough to shoot .357's, but the mass of the pistol reduces the perceived recoil, which she likes. I have talked about a Lady Smith with her, but I doubt the extra recoil compared to the 13-3 would appeal to her.

My wife also has problems with racking the slide on both my Springfield XDS, Ruger 1911, Glocks and SRC 40, but she can outshoot most men with her Lady Smith. Get her something simple and that she feels comfortable with, after all a person that can handle a slingshot and marbles will kill a person who doesn't know how to handle a weapon they don't know how to use .

 

[OLDSTER]

Shield

I'm a S&W revolver nut, but don't own any S&W semi-autos. But what I have found, with my Kahrs, is that any of the "small" polymer framed, WELL-MADE autos is they are built with much tighter tolerences than some of the "other brands", and need to be thoroughly cleaned and lubed before the first shot is fired. And then shot with ball ammo for at least a couple hundred rounds to "wear" them in. I'm bettin' you'll change your mind.

 

[Lost Lake]

Well the OP said he was taking the gun in today to get an opinion so we'll see if he reports back... New posters bashing the most popular guns always worry me that they are just trolling...

 

[Hrcnsfan]

... ever since we saw it online she wanted it. ......

This entire situation could have likely been avoided had you not purchased a gun simply because you (or she) saw it online and thought it looked pretty...or cool. (You've made it sound like that's what happened.) No offense intended.

All guns function and feel a little differently. It's of the utmost importance that anyone who will be acquiring a gun for self defense purposes makes sure they can handle all aspects of the gun's functionality. As you now know, this should include the-ever-important racking of the slide fully rearward without difficulty every time. That's simply how the gun is designed to operate. Comparing it to other guns that might chamber a round without the slide being pulled fully to the rear is setting yourself up for disappointment.
There's plenty of other options out there. Best of luck in finding your girlfriend one that's suitable.

 

[feelinlucky]

Mrmrules, your girlfriend seems to have a problem dealing with the usual quirks of a semi pistol, and you have a problem with S&W customer service. Seriously, maybe she would be better off with a snub revolver, and you would be better off getting it from some company that has customer service that you like better.

Sounds like your mind was made up before you ever posted. Get rid of the Shield, and never buy another S&W product if you like. Since there may well be no problem with the gun except the operator's inability to properly operate it, I'm betting that your claims of "garbage" will pretty much fall on deaf ears.

 

[OneJzsupra]

Rightly so. A good CS rep NEVER tells a customer something like that and if she did, she needs some training - some very basic training.

Over the years I have seen some pretty poor attitudes at S&W when I have called in asking for help. It is better now than it used to be, or at least it seems so, but in my opinion they have been far from perfect in the past and the mentality that they can be erratic when they answer CS calls still seems to be alive and well. There is just no excuse for stupid CS responses, even if the inquiry is less than polite. (And I am not saying the OP was; just stating a principle.)

I believe the OP is having some sort of problem with his Shield that we cannot divine from his writing, particularly his opening post, but it also appears S&W did not do their job when he called. If that is the case I do not blame him one bit for being angry. I hope his local shop can help him get things straightened out.

I do agree that most people are judging this him by his OP, but it holds alot of power. He's claiming that the gun sucks because she is unable to properly operate it, this just means that proper training is required to use the firearm correctly.

Now, looking at it the other way.... It is a subcompact and if she is unable to make it function the way it should correctly than she shouldn't use it as it could be dangerous to otherwise. (unable to operate it when needed).

The other thing, CS is a completely different topic. I do agree a what you are saying... They are a company and no matter WHAT the situation is they should always be helpful.

While he deserves to be upset the blame is on him at the same time, if you are buying a gun for someone you should let them use it. It's harder for ladies as a lot of the time they can't cycle the slide as well (My wife couldn't cycle my FN Five SeveN) and it made it hard for her to use correctly.

I could see why he would be upset, however I could first look into what could be done to help fix the issue before calling it complete trash. Going with what you said maybe we should make a thread about the CS of S&W to have as a way people could talk about what they've had to go through with them. I've only called them once and I didn't have any issues with them.

 

[robkarrob]

Too many posts to wade through. This issue has been discussed on this Forum, over and over. The slide will hang out of battery 1/8 to 1/4 inch, if not allowed to slam home, or if the slide is bumped back out of battery.

The issue is the slide is hanging at the reset tab on the trigger bar and the trigger bar reset bump, in the upper inside of the slide. What seems like a problem is not. When the trigger is pulled, the reset tab passes the bump in the slide. The slide is released and the pressure of the recoil springs pushes the slide back into full battery, before the trigger reaches the break point. This can easily be tested with a fired casing in the chamber.

Now if she can't fully pull the slide rearward, you might still have an issue of fully seating the cartridge. This is not gun related, but operator related. Just because the gun fits her hand does not mean it is the correct gun. And that does not mean the gun is garbage.

Bob

 

[M29since14]

...maybe we should make a thread about the CS of S&W to have as a way people could talk about what they've had to go through with them. I've only called them once and I didn't have any issues with them.

I don't think there is much to be gained from reciting a long list of one-sided mudslinging. I know I certainly couldn't document any of my complaints. Some of those people may even be retired or dead by now.

In fairness to S&W, I would also point out that over those same years some folks at S&W have done some very nice things for me - and I always appreciated that.

What I don't like is the erratic nature of their CS. When I have had to call, I have always felt like I never knew what to expect - and that I was on the "hot seat" myself! When you call a manufacturer and ask for help with a difficulty you are having with their product, if they know what they are doing with CS that is the last thing they want you to think. The usual tone is not, "How can I help you?" but more like, "We don't believe a word you say (its a hassle for me to have to interrupt my card game to have to deal with you) and we assume you are probably an idiot - until we decide otherwise - and even then we'll have our doubts!"