M&P Shield bleeding on my holster?

[seanpatrick]

Hello,

First of all, apologies for the thread necromancy, but I thought y'all would like to hear this. I had the same problem as the OP, although admittedly not as bad. Sweat had come into contact with the entire left side of my M&P 40 Shield and the finish had corroded slightly.

A search returned this page. I saw the last post and wondered what Smith & Wesson would say, so I emailed them on Sep. 3rd. Within a few hours they responded with a Fed-Ex label attached to an email. It was 2 days before I saw the attachment. I printed it off on the 5th, boxed up my gun per the instructions in the email and attached the label. The email also contained a phone number to request a pick-up. I called it and soon my gun was on its way to MA.

After about a week I called them to check the status. They told me they had found no rust on the slide and that the gun had been cleaned and sent to the shipping dept. (The rep also advised me that all of their shipments go through the same department, so it could be a week before it was shipped.) It arrived back at my door yesterday, Sep. 25th. I opened the box to find the gun in pretty much the same condition it was when it left my house. Albeit very clean.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that this was a very minor problem to begin with. The corrosion is really only visible when the light hits it at the right angle, and it doesn't affect the operation of the firearm in any way. I think the tech probably opened the box and thought, "There's nothing really wrong with this gun." And he'd be right.

All in all I am still a happy Smith & Wesson customer. After all, they listened to my concern, they paid to ship the gun both ways, they were easy to contact and forthright about what was being done, and they were quick about it! No questions asked. That's how it should be done.

-Sean

 

[MichiganScott]

Can I ask what you used to clean/oil your gun before you went on your walk?

Also, did you use any cleaner/conditioner on the leather holster?

Just trying to look for some possible causes.

I believe this is your answer. A combination of chemicals from the gun and holster combined with the tanning in the leather and your sweat to remove the finish. You have a couple of pictures where it looks like oil actually fully penetrated the leather.

Some people actually have perspiration that can be toxic to gun finishes. Some have a much higher salt content.

 

[ken158]

No consulation here but I worked with a guy that could corrode glass with his sweat... I sent one of his duty guns off to be hard chromed and over time that finish was dulled out. I would consider going to a plastic style holster.

 

[S&WForty]

No consulation here but I worked with a guy that could corrode glass with his sweat... I sent one of his duty guns off to be hard chromed and over time that finish was dulled out. I would consider going to a plastic style holster.

I'm wearing my Shield in a PJ Holsters tuckable IWB model now. I sometimes wish It was 'softer,' but it more or less disappears on me. So, I second the comment to switch to plastic.

 

[Dano]

I sweat like a lady of the evening in church. I also own a small
farm and work hard. By the end of the day, even my pants and
socks are soaked to the skin with sweat. I EDC my Shield9 and
have to strip it down and dry off the sweat daily and lightly lube.
I've never had the first sign of bleeding off the finish or rust.
I'd contact S&W and ask them about it. The treatment may have
not been done correctly.
Dano

 

[H Richard]

My guess is that your gun does not fit well in that holster. It is causing some rubbing and combined with the sweat has taken the finish off the parts. A little touch up blue can make it as good as new. Then put some wax on the gun to keep sweat away and then get the gun "fit" to the holster. If you can't get to fit that holster, get a different holster. Guns carried will show wear, that is a fact we all have to live with. It does not harm the function of the gun at all.

 

[Stratajema]

...A little touch up blue can make it as good as new. Then put some wax on the gun to keep sweat away and then get the gun "fit" to the holster...

I would not use touch up blueing on the Shield's melonite finish. People who have done this reported seeing very visible rust where the blueing was applied.

The solution to the OP's problem and the follow-up post reviving this thread is quite simple. Use an all kydex holster and wipe the gun down daily with a small cloth soaked with some Mil-comm oil, Eezox or CorrosionX. Don't use a silicon cloth because silicon will trap moisture that is already in the metal "pores".

 

[MSG Glenn]

You've received some good info here. I'd still give S&W a call. Maybe they'll make it right. It's indeed possible that they had some pistols that didn't receive the proper finish.

My M&P40 & 40 Compact would be literally soaked in sweat on those hot & humid days when I'd go hiking. The left side of the pistols were in direct contact with my sweaty skin where the holster didn't protect them. All I did was wipe them down with a cloth that had been used to clean off excess CLR plus a little extra sprayed on it to use for that purpose, just slightly oily.

 

[RobzGuns]

If y'all are looking for an update from the OP, it probably isn't going to happen.

He only posted 11 times and his LAST reply was June 2013.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The safety, slide lock, and slide are all ruined. pictures 3 & 4 show the worst of it.

Ruined? Seriously? You need to get youself a dictionary. I hope you're wrong. Otherwise, most of my guns are also ruined too.

 

[dullh]

I have sweated all over my one of my Shields, my 45c and my FS 9...no finish wear...I use Kydex and leather hybrid holsters, in case you were wondering...

Either your sweat is incredibly acidic or something in that horsehide holster reacted with the finish...either way it ain't S&W's fault.

 

[Mountain Walker]

Thanks for posting this, I didn't realize the Shield finish is so delicate! Well I guess since they pumping these little puppies for less than $400, we should not be too shocked when some short cuts are taken. Now my blue steel Ruger LC9 doesn't seem a problem. You have very effectively demonstrated why the Theis or other crossbreed type holsters may not be the best choice for strenuous outdoor adventures. Perhaps a different mode of carry for your hiking is in order. While hiking and X-Cross Country Skiing, I generally carried my small J-frame in one of the exterior pockets of my back pack or in a more accessible accessory pouch. If you must belt carry a nice kydex holster may be just perfect for the Shield. Kestrel Holsters | IWB 1 Piece with thumb belt clip

It is possible to use this holster outside the pants with the belt pulled over the exposed holster, but inside the belt slot. Of course there are many good choices for OWB holsters for the common little Shield.

 

[turbo38gn]

For the record, my little blued LC9 rusted like nobodies business a couple years ago, hanging it in a crossbreed holster. I don't blame the holster or the gun.... it's just an unavoidable chemical reaction that occurs when we don't take the time to properly maintain and lube our weapons... and sometimes, the chemical reaction is just plain unavoidable.. no matter what weapon you carry.

 

[MSG Glenn]

If y'all are looking for an update from the OP, it probably isn't going to happen.

He only posted 11 times and his LAST reply was June 2013.

Good catch! I usually note the original post date but got suckered this time, LOL.

 

[SidearmSam]

Sweat and guns don't get along, and whether your leather came from a horse, a cow, or a kosher llama blessed by the pope hisself ain't gonna change that. Sweat is fulla salt, and salt is a high corrosive. If you MUST sweat on your guns, give them regular baths in CLP. The P stands for protect, and that it does. Check out this article.