M&P Shield 9mm

[deriter]

I am new on this forum but glad I found it. I purchased an m&p shield 9mm a little over a week ago and ran 125 rounds through it the frist day with almost no problems except the first round, the slide did not lock up when I released it. Ran the 125 with no problems. Today I went and ran 115 through with two FTE. I have kinda lost my confidence with the gun now. I have now cleaned it today. I did not clean it when I bought it.
Another thing I noticed was the firing pin dent on the primer is not round, but sorta oblong and almost looking as it the pin is dragging across the primer.
What do you folks think of this? How many more rounds should I put through it to trust it for edc?
Your thoughts please.

 

[Rpg]

Welcome to the forum!

You'll get lots of folks suggesting you should have cleaned it before shooting it.

They are correct.

If you cleaned the pistol before your second range session, then you have a problem.

You must be confident your firearm will work EVERY time or it's no good for defending your life.

If you haven't cleaned your pistol, clean it before you shoot again and let us know how it works then.

 

[deriter]

I did clean it today after shooting. It really did not seem all that dirty.

 

[TNDave]

The oil that came on the gun is a preservative type oil, not really a slick lubricant. I would clean the shipping oil out of the gun and lube it with something slick then start over.

 

[Engine 21]

The oil that came on the gun is a preservative type oil, not really a slick lubricant. I would clean the shipping oil out of the gun and lube it with something slick then start over.

I'll second that - a good cleaning and lube should clear any problem. I clean and lube after each range visit - never had a trouble.TNDave is right.

 

[Wishoot]

Or you can just do what I did when I took my Shield home...accidentally dump an entire bottle of Hoppe's #9 on the gun. It was spotless and smelled great when I took it out for the first range session. Worked 100% too.

Just curious what ammo you were using for the first and second range sessions. While I haven't found my Shield particularly ammo sensitive, yours may not like certain kinds of ammo.

 

[JM4151]

Shield

Firing pin configuration on the primer is normal. Keep it lubricated and it will work fine.

 

[Rpg]

I did clean it today after shooting. It really did not seem all that dirty.

It may not seem that different to you.

These pistols are notorious for problems if the owner doesn't clean them. I think the owner's Manual directs that this be done.

If you continue to have problems, it may be more serious.

Let us know how things go.

 

[macski222]

I am new on this forum but glad I found it. I purchased an m&p shield 9mm a little over a week ago and ran 125 rounds through it the frist day with almost no problems except the first round, the slide did not lock up when I released it. Ran the 125 with no problems. Today I went and ran 115 through with two FTE.

I'd say your issue was not cleaning the factory gunk out of it before you first shot it, and the fact that you ran 125 rounds through it, didn't clean it, then ran another 115 rounds through it after not cleaning when you were done shooting it the first time.

That's a decent amount of carbon buildup that you let sit on top of the factory gunk before you shot it a week later and had more issues.

Clean the gun and lube the specified points after every range trip and you'll be fine.

 

[hkcavalier]

I just got one yesterday for the wife. We tried a variety of guns at the local range, and the Shield was the clear winner. Ruger LC9 is clearly an inferior gun in every way (that trigger is terrible), the SIG 938 is nice but hard to justify at $650 or more, and she didn't care for the wheelguns much.

We haven't shot it yet, but man that gun is almost too stiff to use right now, much stiffer than the range gun. She can't lock the slide back, and it takes two thumbs on the slide release to get it to go. Hopefully 100-200 through it will smooth out the kinks.

 

[speedyquad]

like every one else said clean first, then shoot. i purchased a shield 9 for my wife. she had the emptied flying back to her face and not ejecting. i had the same problems but to a lesser degree. i blamed the ammo(tullammo steel cases). when i ran different ammo, it functioned flawlessly for me, she still had issues with others, but again to a lesser degree. then i focused on her grip. she was holding it way too low. once she placed her hands in the correct position, there were no more issues and she had nice tight groups. we had those issues fixed in the first 150. we are at around 500 rounds now and i carry it every day. she took the shield 40 that i bought for myself two weeks later. she liked it better.

 

[Gyrene6891]

Every time I buy a gun, whether new or used, the first thing I do is take it down and clean it good. After a day at the range no matter how many guns I have fired I clean them before they get put away. I don't have a problem with failure to extract, load or fire...

 

[Hamster65]

Every time I buy a gun, whether new or used, the first thing I do is take it down and clean it good. After a day at the range no matter how many guns I have fired I clean them before they get put away. I don't have a problem with failure to extract, load or fire...

I 2nd that and as a result, all my guns perform flawlessly............especially my M&P 9 Shield which is my EDC.

 

[deriter]

The ammo I was using was Remington UMC 115gr. Some of it was old as in maybe 5 + years or so that I had put away. I am a little disappointed in how stiff the slide is to lock it back and then to do the sling shot operation to release it. Hoping this will loosen up a bit with more use or maybe this is just how a short slide works?
I watched a guy at our local range shoot a 45 1911 xd. He loaded the magazines effortlessly and then operated the slide the same,,,,,effortlessly. It seems there is always compromise. Long slide full grip easy operation but hard to conceal. Short slide shorter grips harder to operate but easier to conceal
I got one of those uplula's to load the mags. These mags for this shield of mine were killing my thumb. Guess I am a wimp. I complain about the slide being stiff and the magazines too hard to load. But even after all that, I still like the gun though even after all the whining. Its just a fun gun to shoot. I just hope I can get the bugs out so I can trust it for edc.
I can't hit much at 200 yrds though,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[macski222]

From what I've read there are no bugs...

Just clean, lube, and shoot. It'll get a little looser with more rounds

 

[hkcavalier]

Definitely. New guns should be tight --- that's just what you'd expect.

I remember when my unit got brand new M240G machineguns in the '90s to replace our M60s. We infantrymen actually got to break them down before the armorers did. They were so tight we had to hunt down punches and hammers to get the pins out. We had never experienced anything like that since our M60s and M249s would pretty much disassemble with a nod and a wink.

 

[MDLEOW]

I am a new shooter. I learned to shoot on a G17 and G27. I bought the Shield9 because of the single stack that fit better in my hand and as a good conceal weapon. Many of your concerns sound like the result of not giving it a good clean and lube out of the box and simply not being used to a semiautomatic?. I am a medium frame female with no particularly great hand strength. I admit I had difficulty loading brand new mags and used a uplula for the first couple hundred rounds. The springs loosen up with use, I initially had difficulty locking the slide back, but after about 600 rounds, have grown quite used to it. As far as racking it I only experienced issue with proper training on holding and gripping the firearm properly and now feel quite proficient. I have run about 800 rounds through it (Federal and Blazer Brass both 115gr FMJ) zero misfires or FTEs (one "stove pipe, my fault) Your comparison to only one other person loading and handling a 1911 makes me wonder if, you too, are a new shooter and can attribute these issues to the newness of a brand new gun and shooter error.. It is my understanding that FTEs often occur due to the shooters grip. Ie; limp wristing. Again, I am a new shooter so there are far more experienced opinions on here. Good luck. I love and trust my Shield and hope you grow to love and trust yours too,


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[RalphMP9FS]

I haven't shot my new MP9FS yet, but I did load 4 new mags today (68 rounds) in anticipation for range day this week. My right thumb did get a good workout during loading...LOL.

 

[deriter]

I am not a new shooter, but have more experience with revolvers and then the full size springfield xd and full size m&p both in 9mm. To say that I am not a new shooter does not mean that I can not learn a lot more than I know now though. I do know about limp wristing and I do try to grip up high on the gun. I am open to all constructive coaching and counseling.

 

[Wishoot]

The ammo I was using was Remington UMC 115gr. Some of it was old as in maybe 5 + years or so that I had put away. I am a little disappointed in how stiff the slide is to lock it back and then to do the sling shot operation to release it. Hoping this will loosen up a bit with more use or maybe this is just how a short slide works?

Do yourself a big favor. After you've given it a thorough cleaning again, buy some different ammo. UMC isn't particularly bad ammo, but it isn't that good either. While it's relatively inexpensive, it's one of the ammos that causes me problems. I try to avoid it if possible.

Don't worry too much about the stiff slide and mag springs. They loosen up over time.

 

[deriter]

Hey Mike, I am happy to hear that the mags and slide loosen up over time. I thinking how many rounds would that be? I just hope it straighten out so that I can trust it. Hate to have to go back to my 38 sp revolver. However I do trust that one.

 

[davemercer]

With my 9mm Shield I had several failures to eject or maybe if was failure to extract. In any case fired piece of brass was part way in barrel and extractor not engaging case rim.

I returned to Smith and they replaced extractor. First trip out after return had similar problem with fired brass part way in barrel.

I am thinking I may have tight pistol and slide not going back fully all the time and when this happens ejector can't do its job. Initially thought that extractor may be letting go before brass hits ejector. Really don't know what is happening.

I have been cycling the slide by hand to see if this can loosen up pistol. So far 700 cycles. Want to do another 300 cycles for even thousand before I go out to range again.

 

[PastureOfMuppets]

I am a medium frame female with no particularly great hand strength. I admit I had difficulty loading brand new mags and used a uplula for the first couple hundred rounds.

I'm a large frame male... and I use a UPLULA still for that last round occasionally. Possibly one of the best little inventions in firearms.

S&W do love that magazine spring to be tight...

OP, I would want at least a couple of hundred, then at least a couple of boxes of the defense ammo that will be carried in the gun. Ideally 100+. Some will say 200...

 

[Lockback]

My Shield has been literally flawless.
A buddy's, however, has had numerous failures to extract. And he's a pro: keeps it clean and really knows how to shoot. It's now back at S&W for the third time and he is understandably frustrated. Smith has replaced the extractor and then the barrel and it still is having issues.
I do think there are a few lemons out there. I'm just pleased mine has been so reliable. It's the best carry gun I've ever owned.

 

[Wishoot]

Hey Mike, I am happy to hear that the mags and slide loosen up over time. I thinking how many rounds would that be? I just hope it straighten out so that I can trust it. Hate to have to go back to my 38 sp revolver. However I do trust that one.

Nothing wrong with .38spl that's for sure.

For my Shield, everything seemed to loosen up a bit at around 400 rounds or so.

 

[bedbugbilly]

What you see on your primer from the firing pin is normal on many makes/models of semi-automatics.

 

[deriter]

A couple of you have commented that the oval imprint on the primer is normal. When I looked at it I thought the pin was either chipped or that somehow the pin was sliding across the primer. Thanks for letting me know it is normal. Really anxious to put more rounds through it to get it loosened up and to find it to be a firearm that I can trust. 240 rounds with 2 fte and counting. I will try some other brands of ammo also. I really want this to work out because I really like the gun!

 

[MDLEOW]

I'm a large frame male... and I use a UPLULA still for that last round occasionally. Possibly one of the best little inventions in firearms.



S&W do love that magazine spring to be tight...



OP, I would want at least a couple of hundred, then at least a couple of boxes of the defense ammo that will be carried in the gun. Ideally 100+. Some will say 200...

I still use the uplula for speed and convenience, especially when reloading mags at the range. It IS a great little invention!

I keep a minimum of 1k rounds of practice ammo plus 100 Critical Duty for home defense and carry.

I am so glad my Shield is proving to be so reliable. I really enjoy shooting it and feel quite confident in making it my primary defensive weapon.


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[Hamster65]

The ammo I was using was Remington UMC 115gr. Some of it was old as in maybe 5 + years or so that I had put away. I am a little disappointed in how stiff the slide is to lock it back and then to do the sling shot operation to release it. Hoping this will loosen up a bit with more use or maybe this is just how a short slide works?

I tend to stay away from the UMC ammo. I don't know if their quality has improved over the years or not but back in the late 90's, I had bought 100 rounds for my G19. I had major problems with the first magazine load. Shots number 5 and 9 (not sure about those numbers but, both happened within the first few shots) were just powerful enough to get the bullet stuck half way down the barrel. After having to disassemble the pistol and drive the bullet back out with a hammer and brass drift pin TWICE, I threw the rest of it in the garbage and went back to the store to by better ammo.

 

[deriter]

I did receive a couple 100 round boxes of Winchester 115 gr fmj for fathers day. Are these any better than the UMC or about the same?
One I believe final question: When the shield breaks in, is it anywhere near as smooth or easy to cycle the slide? I'm thinking it will always be kinda more difficult to cycle. Part of the trade off.