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

[timn8er]

#1 to M29. I think its important to remember that while you are
dealing with a company, that company is made up of individuals,
& no matter what company policy is, each individual is going to
react differently. In my many dealings with S&W Customer Service,
I've never had a single rep be rude to me. Less than helpful, once.
I can forget that one incident in light of all the other times that
their service has amazed me. Especially in regards to a SW40VE
that I screwed the pooch on.

 

[OneJzsupra]

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!"

Totally agree

 

[hoghunter]

This is why my wife has a revolver. No slides to pull, no hand strength needed to get the gun into ready mode. Only auto she likes are .22s because of the ease of the slide. My wife tried my Shield and couldn't budge the slide. Hate to see you use the words "scam" or "garbage". Maybe someone else pointed this out, but you do know Walther is owned by S&W so the same customer service "scam" will be present when she can't work the slide on the new Walther.

 

[2tango2]

I just picked up a Shield in 40 this afternoon and the action on the Shield is very stiff. I can see how someone who is petite or not much arm strength could have an issue

The Shield is much tighter than the FS 9 I picked up a week ago that is for sure. I haven't even fired it yet and I'm loving it for my EDC

410 out the door

 

[BillK01]

Love my 9mm Shield - however my wife can't rack the slide on it either. My Glock 23 is the same for her. She can sort of rack my Sig P225 slide but with effort.

Going to try a Walther PPS or Sig P938 for her next time my LGS has some in stock for her to try. From my research those 2 seem to have slightly easier to rack slides than most other compacts/subcompacts. We shall see.

 

[Gryff]

So the main complaint is that when you ride the slide, the firearm doesn't go into battery? That's what I get from your post....pull the slide back all the way to the stop and let go. Asking the gun to function any other way is not the design intent

For dry firing, you should NOT have to fully rack the slide. That's putting unnecessary wear and tear on the gun when all you should have to do is pull the slide back 1/4" to reset the trigger. To do otherwise several dozen or a hundred times a practice session is putting stress on the slide, frame, and recoil spring that is completely unnecessary.

But I agree with others that the OP should put a couple hundred rounds down range to help the gun through it's break-in period and then see if the problem remains.

 

[mrmrules]

Ok to clarify a few things.

1. She picked the gun out. She tried it in the store before purchased, was able to operate the slide with no issues with the snap caps. I did not pick the gun out for her. She picked it out and at the time of the sale she was able to operate it herself. So to the people who suggested I should have not bought her the gun I wanted to clarify that's not what happened.

2. The issue is not that shes limp wristing it or operating the slide improperly. You can blambe us with user error all you want and defend the gun till you are blue in the face but at the end of the day we purchased the gun and it has an issue. The gun is clearly quirky and we have both had issues with it going into battery. I am plenty strong enough to pull the slide back. We have a few other semi automatics that we shoot on a regular basis, when we had an issue with this shield it was not user inflicted we are not new to shooting.

3. I am a professional person. I own a large business that employs over 100 people. I understand customer service. When I called Smith and Wesson I was professional and courteous. I didn't call up and say "this gun sucks what the hell bla bla bla" I clearly stated the issues we were having and asked if there were any known issues with the gun or suggestions that they could make to help us get this gun to work properly. There was no attitude whatsoever as some have jumped to conclusions and suggested in prior posts.

4. Took the gun in today and had our friend who owns the gun shop we purchased the gun at fire the gun. He confirmed that there was without a doubt an issue with the gun as he experienced what we had while test firing it. He noted that the barrel machining and the machining on the slide where the barrel comes out of the top both looked "butchered" there was also numerous clearance issues that he pointed out. He gave us the full refund for the pistol on the spot and said he never would have sold it if he had seen it, we bought it when it was crazy busy and one of the sales guys never saw it. He agreed the gun was a piece of garbage he said that he's had quite a few other issues with Smith and Wesson in the past and was just as dissapointed as we were. I let the girlfriend handle and try every slide on every gun out in the store and she ended loving the Springfield EMP 9mm. I bought it, we took it home and shot it this evening. She put 100 rounds through it and worked like clockwork. So there you have it folks this one was solved with lack of QC on smith and wessons part, not user error. I just wanted to update the post. It seems other people have similar issues with this gun which they shrug off to the gun needing to be broken in or the slide has to be exactly 100% back and released or it won't go into battery. The springfield will easily go into battery even being released from 50% back. In the end Im glad I spend a couple bucks more and got something that anyone can easily operate that does not have a break in period or quirks. I also wanted to let the people who messaged me to know that he was going to return the gun to the manufacturer and it would not be for sale (some had asked if I turned it in if they could purchase it from him) Thanks again everyone and have a nice night.

 

[Hrcnsfan]

^^^Awesome! Very glad to hear you got it all sorted out!
Best,
Mark

 

[Silversmok3]

Just wanted to post my experiance with the new M&P shield 9. I bought my girlfriend for Xmas. It took months for me to locate one of these ever since we saw it online she wanted it. I bought just in time for Xmas and put it under the tree.....

I regret to inform you that this situation is 100% your fault.

Here's why.

Us people being people, none of us are built the same way. A gun which shoots and works well for me can be totally unworkable for your girlfriend, and vice versa.

That is why SHE must be the one to select, try on, and if possible shoot whatever gun she's interested in. Buying a gun for someone else is a bigger crapshoot then buying a girl a bra based on what you've seen her look like fully clothed.

Heck, based on my experience the best guns I own are the ones I bought literally on spur of the moment. The pistols I plan and intend on buying generally are the ones I've wound up selling. Go figure.

Finding the ideal gun isn't a destination, its a journey. Right now i'm taking a break from my travels, but that doesn't mean I'm not another gun store visit from being back on the road again. The same is true of you and your gf.

 

[mrmrules]

Did you not read the thread above? Its not my fault SHE PICKED OUT THE GUN BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT ONLINE AND IT TESTED IT IN PERSON AND IT WORKED FINE IN THE SHOWROOM I BOUGHT IT AND PUT IT UNDER THE TREE FOR HER AFTER HAVING MY BUDDY HOLD IT FOR ME AFTER WE LEFT TO SURPRISE HER. The gun was defective as stated by the gun shop owner who took it back.....

 

[2tango2]

Glad you got it sorted out. I picked up a Shield today over at Shooters Outpost. Haven't fired it yet but gun seems solid and yes a little tight. Plan on shooting the bejesus out of it lol

The EMP sure is a nice piece. Up in Sig territory $ wise no?

Important thing is you both found a gun you are happy with

 

[GKC]

The EMP sure is a nice piece. Up in Sig territory $ wise no?

The EMP is indeed a very nice gun, and quite a step up price wise. Around here, they sell for around $1200 new, if you can find one. That's a bit above most standard SIG models, and getting into the SIG Elite territory.

 

[OneJzsupra]

Did you not read the thread above? Its not my fault SHE PICKED OUT THE GUN BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT ONLINE AND IT TESTED IT IN PERSON AND IT WORKED FINE IN THE SHOWROOM I BOUGHT IT AND PUT IT UNDER THE TREE FOR HER AFTER HAVING MY BUDDY HOLD IT FOR ME AFTER WE LEFT TO SURPRISE HER. The gun was defective as stated by the gun shop owner who took it back.....

interesting.... I wonder what could have changed after she test fired it and after she got it for christmas. Either way this doesn't seem to be the first case of this happening, as I recall someone had post a few days ago about a barrel defect that was due to inproper work from S&W.

Good on you for getting it sorted and I wouldn't give up on it yet.... Maybe try another one ORRRRRRRRR and this is only because i'm a big fan of the XDM have you considered the XDS??? Or the FNP-9mm compact that is coming out?

nvm I just saw that you got something else haha.

 

[jajo]

Mrm, the clarification was good. The only issue I have is your thread title. As a business owner and a professional, you should understand how posting something like this might offend members of the Smith and Wesson forum.

If you had said, new Shield defective, or something similar, the replies might have been quite different.

There are a lot of very satisfied Shield owners in here, myself included. Of course, S&W has made and sold a lot of these pistols, and some defective units are bound to occur.

Also, your experience with S&W customer service was far different from mine and may be an aberration.

Anyway, hope you guys find the right pistol for her.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[kisportolt]

so it took months for you to locate one (implying you shopped around) and then it just so happened that you have a buddy who owns a gun shop that got one in and you got to test fire it and put it on hold, yet you got it just in time for christmas? "well hun i'm sorry that you've wanted this gun for months and we couldn't find it, but let's just leave it at the store for now and think about it." yeeaahhh doubt it..

and why the month wait between having the gun and posting on here? surely she used snap caps on the gun soon after getting it, and any responsible gun owner would have looked into a problem with a firearm right away. and if you bought the gun from a friend and had an issue with it, why post here first before going back to him to ask questions?

why was it "a dealer" and "gun shop owner" in your earlier posts, but then suddenly became "a friend"? did you guys bond over the last few days?

you're full of it and this thread is a waste.

 

[OneJzsupra]

so it took months for you to locate one (implying you shopped around) and then it just so happened that you have a buddy who owns a gun shop that got one in and you got to test fire it and put it on hold, yet you got it just in time for christmas? "well hun i'm sorry that you've wanted this gun for months and we couldn't find it, but let's just leave it at the store for now and think about it." yeeaahhh doubt it..

and why the month wait between having the gun and posting on here? surely she used snap caps on the gun soon after getting it, and any responsible gun owner would have looked into a problem with a firearm right away. and if you bought the gun from a friend and had an issue with it, why post here first before going back to him to ask questions?

why was it "a dealer" and "gun shop owner" in your earlier posts, but then suddenly became "a friend"? did you guys bond over the last few days?

you're full of it and this thread is a waste.

Maybe he was a dealer, a gun shop owner and a friend all in one? Other than every one freaking out about the title it seems like what ever he could to try and figure the gun out and it still had issues. If it is infact defective or if he has a doubt that it won't work properly then he is in the right for changing that weapon out as it is not for sport, it's for personal protection. I wouldn't feel right about getting my wife a weapon that she couldn't safely operate when it come time for her to have to save her life.


Last thing.... Whats the deal with snap caps? Do people have issues with them?

One more last thing... That isn't meant as a personal attack at you, I was just pointing something out.

 

[Arik]

I dont get how everyone gets soooo emotional of this. So he didn't like the shield so what!?!?!?! Its just a piece of metal and plastic. People act as if he peed on their altar, slept with their wives and kicked the dog on the way out.

He didnt like, it didnt work out, ok ...big deal.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[2tango2]

I dont get how everyone gets soooo emotional of this. So he didn't like the shield so what!?!?!?! Its just a piece of metal and plastic. People act as if he peed on their altar, slept with their wives and kicked the dog on the way out.

He didnt like, it didnt work out, ok ...big deal.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Because it is an Internet forum...it's what happens lol

fwiw I know of the dealer/gun shop he is referring to..it is a legitimate shop and not some made up entity


Hey I feel some of his pain. I have an XD-S that I'm having some FTF issues with. It is a very finicky piece if you are not what I call an experienced shooter. I've been away from this for awhile and will admit that my technique and skills are a bit rusty and could use some work. I'm thinking of taking some classes at the Sig Sauer Academy, about 1/2 hour or so from my house

 

[Bikemobile]

So the gun shop owner "took it back" and sold it to somebody else? Did he warranty it?

 

[GKC]

Mrm, the clarification was good. The only issue I have is your thread title. As a business owner and a professional, you should understand how posting something like this might offend members of the Smith and Wesson forum.

If you had said, new Shield defective, or something similar, the replies might have been quite different.

Exactly.

It isn't that S&W can't be criticized, doesn't put out the occasional lemon, or doesn't live up to its usual CS reputation. However, when you start out saying the gun is garbage and that the service blows, AND you are new to the forum, it makes people think you are here just to bash the gun.

mrm, think how you would react if someone posted this same review about your business/product, and hadn't taken it up with a manager, or you, to try to resolve it.