Magazine or Sheild Issue?

[Fabius]

That's encouraging to hear, Garnet. I emailed S&W customer service again. We'll see what they say. I really hope that they can fix the problem. I love the gun and want to keep it. I also like the way it handles the .40 recoil, so I'd like to stay with that caliber.

 

[Titus899]

60 rounds is promising since my would go every three to four rounds. Like I said I sent my 40 back to S&W. I hope I don't have to give it away.

 

[Shielded]

Here's a vid I found show the probs, gives you a good look at whats going on.

M&P Shield .40cal...... - YouTube

 

[ViperLaw]

Same issue

I recently had the same issue with my brand new .40 Shield. The first box of ammo worked great...no mag drops at all. On my next trip the range I started my next box of 50 rounds. After the first 3 shots, the extended mag would drop out. I would do the Tap, Rack, Bang...but after the 2nd round the mag would drop again...this continued through about 3 reloads of the extended mag. I tried the 6-round mag and have had no issues (though I like the extra space with the extended mag - one of the reasons for buying the gun).

I emailed S&W and got an email saying to return the mag for a replacement (the mag only, not the gun for repairs). After reading some of these posts about replacing the mag catch, I called the guy and double checked. He said that S&W "is not aware of any issues and you simply have a defective magazine." I pushed him further and he said he's not heard of anything like this, so it must be the mag. So I was a little skeptical.

Last night I took the gun to the range again before sending off my "defective magazine," which has identical markings for the mag catch as the shorter one (which is not fouling). Same thing...2-3 rounds into a new mag and it drops out.

So I'm sending it back today to see what happens. Any suggestions?

 

[Garnet]

I dropped mine off at S&W with its extended mag. It was returned with the mag. The only work performed (as listed on the enclosed paperwork) stated that the mag catch had been replaced. Sounds like the person you communicated with may be under informed. Perhaps he needs to inquire more diligently of some of his co-workers.

 

[Go Bucks]

I am new to this forum, but happened to find it when I wanted to see if others were having the same problem as me.

I ordered a 40 Shield in May and it took five weeks to get it. The first trip to the range proved disappointing to me. Both the 7 and 6 round magazines will drop out of the gun when fired. The 7 round did it almost every shot while the 6 round was less frequent. I made sure I was not hitting the magazine release with my grip. I returned it to S&W, got it back after two weeks. A letter included stated the the magzine catch was replaced, test fired, meets specs. I took it to the range a second time and the same problem occurred. Again the 7 round magazine was dropping on almost every shot. The 6 round seems to stay in better, but will drop out sometimes. The magazine release only has to be depressed 1/32" to release the mag. The gun is back at S&W a second time.

Love the size and feel of the gun, but have my doubts if I'll ever feel comfortable relying on it to defend myself. On the brighter side I did get great groupings out it. It helps when you have to use it as a single shot pistol.

 

[Maddmax]

Anything new on this issue? Has anyone experienced this in their 9mm, or is it only the 40 cal? Only a couple hundred rounds through my 9, but no mag issue, or any other for that matter.
BTW, I took a sharpie around the bottom of my mags to fill in the exposed area above the base plates. Looks better in my opinion.

Had my 9 Shield since April and have had zero problems. Seems to be just the 40's.

 

[Megzamani]

I have the same problem. Called s/w they said huh? First I have heard of it and I have been here all day. Really now, I got mine on 0708 and I am reading this is occuring as early as several weeks ago. Well anyway. Is there a solution yet? Thanks

 

[ViperLaw]

I have the same problem. Called s/w they said huh? First I have heard of it and I have been here all day. Really now, I got mine on 0708 and I am reading this is occuring as early as several weeks ago. Well anyway. Is there a solution yet? Thanks

Sounds like you talked to the same guy I did. He sounded floored when I said that other people were having the same issue and that their mag catch had to be replaced. I even took it back to the range and double check that I was only having this problem with the 7-round mag so they can't say it's anything I'm doing.

My mag was sent back on Wednesday, so I'm anxiously waiting to see what happens.

 

[CJWig]

Just bought my Shield 0.40 and went to range today (7/14/12) and had mag drops worse on larger mag and when fully loaded with bullets. Good news is there were no FTF or FTEs. Time to get a new mag catch it sounds like. S&W really should have caught this manufacturing / design problem. I will fix and sell it and continue to use my Glock 36. Shame on you S&W!

 

[RichardCranium]

I didn't even think about checking for S&W forums when I experienced this issue with my Shield .40. Here is a video I made when I took it out to shoot the first time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuiqlkjxTGU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

As noted in my video, only the extended 7rd mag drops. The 6rd mag is flawless. I believe just the added weight of the extended mag is enough to bump it loose, and not the 6rd. I contacted S&W and they sent me an updated release, as pictured below. Can't wait to toss it in and shoot again.

This was my first time having to contact S&W to get a repair, I've owned 3 M&P pistol. Even with this issue, I'm still a huge M&P fan......O knew from reputation that S&W would fix it.

Sent from Samsung Fascinate using ICS 4.0.4 and Tapatalk 2

 

[RichardCranium]

Annnnnnnd the mag release S&W sent was for a compact or full-size. I'll have to call Monday and get the correct one sent....once its replaced I will update after shooting.

 

[Megzamani]

I will link yt videos of the mag release problem, both ;eft and right shooting in the next day or so. Got plenty of footage showing problem. Had a stove pipe also, first one today with 7 magazine first round, mag drop. Getting pretty fed up, but will work towards a resolution.

 

[ricklee4570]

So far it sounds like this is limited to the .40. However, it makes me wonder if it is a design problem, maybe the 9mm is not doing it because of the reduced recoil the 9mm has as compared the the 40. With that said, I wonder what will happen as the 9mm version mag catch starts to wear (normal wear). Will it develop the same issues? Sounds like the mag catch is not protruding in the magazine notch far enough to ensure a positive hold.

 

[Numenor]

I just went to the range with my M&P40 Shield for the first time today. Exact same mag dropping problem with both the 6 and 7 round mags. Really disappointed in this as the rest of the gun is awesome. My personal opinion is that the mag catch is not large enough. There is a rather large gap between the front side of the mag and where the catch protrudes. I might have to depress the mag release perhaps .5mm for it to release.

I also had the gun lock open even when there was a round in the mag.

Called S&W to get the shipping return label. I really hope they fix this. =(

 

[Go Bucks]

Well my 40 Shield is still back at S&W for the second time. It has been there over a week for the same issue that was not fixed the first time back (mag dropping). Now I got an update from customer service letting me know that it is at engineering. No ETA on getting back, but was told it shouldn't be more than two weeks.

Owned the gun for 33 days now. 24 days in for service. 5 days waiting for return shipping labels. 2 days at the range with problems. The 2 days I had it before I made it to the range the first time were great.

Sounds like they are having some real issues with the 40.

 

[Megzamani]

Here is my video yt link it is 13 minutes of various magazine drops over several days
Smith and Wesson .40 Shield Magazine Drop Problem - YouTube

 

[Three putt]

No problems with my 9mm. Over a thousand rounds through it. Great pistol. Shoots better than I do.

 

[Megzamani]

Only the forties are having magazine issues

 

[Megzamani]

Here is the YT link for the magazine drop. First 45 seconds isd all that is need to see but is 13 minutes for a good demo over three days time.

Smith and Wesson .40 Shield Magazine Drop Problem - YouTube