M&P Shield Plus - Known Issues

[peter59]

Folks: The striker block is a safety backup to the seer. If, for some reason the seer doesn't catch the striker, the striker block ensures that the striker cannot, in any way, move forward and strike the bullet primer. The striker block MUST operate reliably on its own! It cannot rely on an operating control (the seer) to function to set it! If this was the case, then a malfunction seer would mean that the striker block is also not functional. I've owned several S&W striker fired pistols and the Shield Plus is the first one where the striker block relies on the seer to pull the striker back in order to set the striker block. This is not proper in any way and if this is how the striker block is designed to operate (as suggested by others herein) then this is a serious design flaw! I have sent my brand new, never fired, shield plus back to Smith & Wesson asking them to correct this situation on my gun. One other thing to note is that while I was at the gun store discussing this, they pulled their display model to examine it and the striker block wouldn't set even when the striker was manually pulled back!!

 

[LVSteve]

Folks: The striker block is a safety backup to the seer. If, for some reason the seer doesn't catch the striker, the striker block ensures that the striker cannot, in any way, move forward and strike the bullet primer. The striker block MUST operate reliably on its own! It cannot rely on an operating control (the seer) to function to set it! If this was the case, then a malfunction seer would mean that the striker block is also not functional. I've owned several S&W striker fired pistols and the Shield Plus is the first one where the striker block relies on the seer to pull the striker back in order to set the striker block. This is not proper in any way and if this is how the striker block is designed to operate (as suggested by others herein) then this is a serious design flaw! I have sent my brand new, never fired, shield plus back to Smith & Wesson asking them to correct this situation on my gun. One other thing to note is that while I was at the gun store discussing this, they pulled their display model to examine it and the striker block wouldn't set even when the striker was manually pulled back!!

The only way I see a gun could function in your ideal way is if the striker return spring has enough grunt to push back the striker far enough to engage the striker block safety. Is that how most striker fired guns work? Somehow I doubt that is so or you would never get primer wipe.

 

[song dog]

CouchPotato appreciate your post of Shield Plus problems; similar view points on YouTube.

I'm not a newbie to shooting, over 50 years, as far as handguns mostly K & N frame Smith's and 1911's. My first M&P 1.0 9 mm 4 1/4" barrel, then 5" Pro 9 mm then the Shield 9 mm 1.0. When Covid hit sold them off for the 2.0 upgrades, demand was high so worth it. Those 2019/2020 models were manufactured 2017 thru 2019, quality right out of the box.
Since Covid quality control and S&W customer service continues to struggle even after they relocated to Georgia. How simple can a striker fired pistol be to manufacture an still too many posts guys/gals having to return pistols to the mother ship 2 or 3 times. My brother has spent 2 months on a slide release with customer service and they continue to send him the wrong part, that's poor training/management. I do like the M&P grip, so close to 1911 but until S&W gets their act together won't touch them, too much travel time.

 

[Wdbutcher97]

I have a 2.0 M&P 9mm. I had a Gen 1 Shield that I traded for my Shield Plus. I wish I would have kept the Gen 1 just because I liked it that much. All of them have been 100% reliable and I would trust my life with them. I guess I'm extremely lucky.

 

[Kingotch]

Mine is as reliable as my wife nagging me

Weird. No problems here. Probably still under 1000 rounds though.

I have over 2000 rounds on mine, CCW it daily and only have the last round complaint or which is fixed with an emery board. My only unique first world problem is the added complaint that the factory grip textures irritates my skin with using a Vnsh deep IWB holster. Now I just need to determine if an MPO-DS will fit on a non milled model, because of course they released the optics ready model the week after I picked mine up.

 

[song dog]

Couchpotato,

While your post began 11/2013, what was the final outcome of warranty repairs on your Shield Plus?

 

[MSD2343]

I have over 2000 rounds on mine, CCW it daily and only have the last round complaint or which is fixed with an emery board. My only unique first world problem is the added complaint that the factory grip textures irritates my skin with using a Vnsh deep IWB holster.

Highly recommend Talon Grips. They eliminate the skin irritation but ensure a solid grasp on the pistol. They’re relatively inexpensive and last for years.

 

[66-8guy]

I’ve noticed a trend over the past decade or so on internet gun forums. On forums dedicated to a particular name brand of firearm, at least half the postings are doing nothing but trashing that particular brand. People seem to adore complaining.

i agree!I have a model 500 mag,shield plus,model 66-8 2.75 barrel,model 69 2.75 and 4.25 barrel and no problems with either!

 

[mel062369]

Just picked one up today

I just upgraded from Shield 1.0 to Plus and I'm looking forward to trying it out soon.

I rented a Plus prior to purchasing this one and I found nothing wrong with that one and hopefully nothing wrong with the one I just picked up.

As best I could, I checked out everything with this one, an optics ready version with night sights. Until I shoot it, hopefully tomorrow, I won't really know if everything works as it should, but I like the Shield in general and switch between my Sig P320 compact for carry. I plan to carry the Shield Plus with the 13 round magazine, as well as the P320. Will install a red dot soon - before spring.

Will post my initial results as soon as I get back from the range but if this one is anything like other S&W's I've owned, I expect nothing but good results.

 

[gila_dog]

I've had my Shield Plus 9mm for 3 years ?? maybe more. Being old, time is really flying by. I've shot about 800 rounds thru it with not single malfunction. I've tipped my canoe over in a lake while wearing it and spent a half hour in the muddy water before I could get out. I field stripped the gun, washed it with soapy water, rinsed it off well, put the pieces near a heater to dry over night. Oiled it pretty well, then put it back together. No harm done. I've dropped it on concrete twice. No harm done. It carries and hides well, is super reliable, I like the trigger, and I can shoot it pretty well. It has taken a while to get the magazine broke in so I can stuff all 13 rounds in it but that problem is gone. I'm a happy customer.

 

[PJD642]

New owner of a Shield Plus Carry Comp here. Installed my optic, bore sighted it, and hit the limits of adjustment about 4" low at 15 yards. Did some searching online and then inspected the optics cut, found it was indeed angled down slightly at the front. Just shipped the slide to Nameless Arms to have the optics cut milled level and the posts redone as well as they appear to be flared at the bottom. Hopefully this corrects the problem. Purchased the pistol to replace my G48, ergos are much better, especially with the Magguts +3 spring & finger nub installed on the 10-round mag.

 

[RUT]

I’ve noticed a trend over the past decade or so on internet gun forums. On forums dedicated to a particular name brand of firearm, at least half the postings are doing nothing but trashing that particular brand. People seem to adore complaining.

And I swear, there are people who'd have problems with a ball peen hammer.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I’ve noticed a trend over the past decade or so on internet gun forums. On forums dedicated to a particular name brand of firearm, at least half the postings are doing nothing but trashing that particular brand. People seem to adore complaining.

Then, of course, we have the complainers complaining about the "adorable complainers".

 

[tommyhof]

Never had a problem with my Shield plus. Bought a Shield carry comp, only 3 range visits but no problems.

 

[cromag27]

there is a youtube video explaining why you’re having a hard time using the slide stop. it is not a defect it has to do with how you’re locking it back.