M&P Shield 9mm Feed Ramp - it has a sort of dent

[DataPimp]

New to the forum...but not to firearms.

I have about 200 rounds through this Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm. I have had zero malfunctions or problems. It has been flawless. I love this thing. I also have a Glock 19 Gen4 that I love.

Shield 9mm Feed Ramp - Album on Imgur

Here is a link to an album which shows the feed ramp on my Shield 9mm. It has a small "dent" looking indentation right at the beginning of the feed ramp. Should I just figure that since I have had no malfunctions that all is good? I'm betting the front of the round doesn't even touch that part of the ramp when feeding but I'm not sure.

Should I email warranty about it or just let it go. I'm inclined to let it go if the gun is running flawlessly. It is my carry firearm and I don't want to take any chances.

Thanks much!

 

[Bonephish]

I would polish it out, or not.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I would shoot the pistol, then shoot it again. Then I would look for something else to worry about.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[DataPimp]

Thanks all. That's kinda what I figured. I can't imagine that hurting anything. I may polish it out. I may not. Never had a FTF or FTE or stovepipe or anything. Great gun so far.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If the gun functions properly, why fix a problem that may not really be a problem? It may NOT function properly after you fix it...

 

[jstanfield103]

I agree with the others. If it functions flawlessly, shoot it till it doesn't and then worry about it. But I bet that you will wear out before the pistol starts to mess up.

 

[DataPimp]

Thanks Walt and Jstanfield. I agree. I'm gonna just keep shooting it. Great firearm.


FYI, I got a reply back from S&W and they said the following:
"From the picture the barrel ramp is within spec. That portion does not affect function."

I kind of figured the round doesn't even touch that part of the feed ramp so I'm gonna keep runnin' the gun. I love guns that just run. This is one of 'em.

 

[palmettostate1]

A couple strokes with a jeweler's file, then 3 minutes with a polishing wheel on a rotary tool.

It apparently is not hurting anything but the above should fix it right up if it bothers you.

 

[cutterspc]

Mine has a very similar dent, it's raised material at the leading edge right in the center on the ramp. I noticed mine as soon as I got it home and looked it over good. It has jammed on me exactly one time, the very first round I loaded. It has been flawless ever since. The dent is still there two years later.

 

[DataPimp]

A couple strokes with a jeweler's file, then 3 minutes with a polishing wheel on a rotary tool.

It apparently is not hurting anything but the above should fix it right up if it bothers you.

Thanks. It doesn't bother me enough to mess with it.

Mine has a very similar dent, it's raised material at the leading edge right in the center on the ramp. I noticed mine as soon as I got it home and looked it over good. It has jammed on me exactly one time, the very first round I loaded. It has been flawless ever since. The dent is still there two years later.

I'm going to just keep shooting it. I love the gun. My favorite gun has been my Gen4 Glock 19 for the last 3 years. This one is quickly becoming a favorite.

 

[Mal Cap]

I have the 9 Shield. Great pistol. My carry also but I have backups. Call Smith and explain. Advise how much you like the pistol. The gun has a lifetime warranty. Get a mail voucher and send the barrel back for replacement or repair. Possibly they can send an interim barrel or just send you a new one and keep the "dented" one. I still have three barrels for my old CS45 which "broke" last summer.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

That little raised area in the photo looks as though something didn't get done that should have been done, but...

I suspect that if you manually load a round from the mag, you'll see that the bullet nose doesn't even come in contact with that area of the ramp, but that first contact is farther up.... which is probably why S&W said the "problem" (my word not theirs) doesn't affect function. (That said, I'd probably do as several have suggested, and using a fine file, remove the bump and lightly sand the edge.)

I don't have a Shield, but do have other S&W guns.

 

[Deadbug]

Well, the OP's question has been put to bed, but I just had to add another data point that underlines that this is nothing to be concerned about:

My Shield had similar machining manufacturing flaws (dents) I discovered on my pre-purchase inspection on the feed ramp--including one that was quite noticeable on the middle-left side. I too contacted S&W customer service just as a precaution and discussed it with them. They gave the same advice to me they gave the OP.

...Now for the real good stuff: I just came back from the range where that same Shield proved, once again what a reliable, accurate, easy and fun to shoot tack driver it can be--over 5,800 rounds downrange and only a handful of target ammo-related FTF/FTE (mostly due to unprimed/underpowered 115/124 FM 'factory new" ammo which I do not use any more).