Make Safety Inoperable

[Groundhog34]

I have a performance center 9mm Shield that had serious issues. The slide was locked back and could not be moved. I sent it back to S&W for repair. 7 weeks later it was returned with "slide deburred" as repair done. It has been 100% reliable since. I have run about 400 rounds of all types of ammo through it with no issues. I am happy except for the safety for which I have no use for. Question, can I put a small drop of super glue in the area where the safety touches the frame while the safety is in the off position thereby locking safety in off position?
Has anyone done this or anything else to render safety inoperable?

 

[richardw]

I expect you could do that without impairing function, but you would be reducing value if you want to sell it to trade it. My guns have safeties. I just carry them with the safety off. That leaves me the option of using the safety when I think it advantageous. My IWB holsters cover the safety somit is not going to be accidentally engaged. My OWB holsters are used only when I am hiking/backwoods camping. To avoid the risk in case of fall or other extreme I keep the safety on.

 

[Funflyer]

I could TIG it in place for you

 

[SwflG17Guy]

You could just not flip the switch?

 

[Groundhog34]

I want to make it so that the safety does not get inadvertently switched on.

 

[Fred_G]

When I had a Shield, I did not care for the safety either. I cut part of it off, and touched up the unfinished metal with a Sharpie. Worked great for me.

To bad the Shield safety is not as easy to remove as the safety on the M&P 9c.

Might reduce resale a bit, but Shields are pretty inexpensive these days. And of course the obligatory warning about modifying a gun's safety might come into play.

 

[Watchdog]

Shoulda bought one without the safety.

 

[Americanpatriot]

I've never had a safety engage inadvertently. I'd avoid disabling the safety but it's your gun. I'm sure a gunsmith could figure out a way to do it so it can be reversed if you sell the pistol.

 

[InsideWaist]

I'm not a gunsmith, but if the safety switch can be taken apart and removed, get a hold of another safety switch, file it down and install it. That way, you have the original one to put back if you ever wish to sell it. Again, I'm not familiar with dismantling this firearm, so I'm just "shooting from the hip" here.

 

[SwflG17Guy]

I have a .45 shield and the safety is tucked away quite well and also would take more than a good bit to move inadvertently.
Imo.

 

[Groundhog34]

Performance center only comes with safety. If I want to be preached to I'll go to church or listen to my wife.

 

[Rastoff]

I want to make it so that the safety does not get inadvertently switched on.

The Shield safety will not switch on inadvertently. However, I do understand the concern. You never know when that perfect storm will hit and the worst happens.

The easiest fix is to just remove the lever. The sear block is easy to get out and the lever will just lift off.

If you want the lever to stay, you could just grind off this part:

That piece that's bent inward is the part that prevents the trigger from moving when the safety is on. Cut it off and it won't matter what position the thumb safety is in.

I would not EVER put super glue on my gun. You never know when that stuff will migrate to the wrong place as you apply it. And, I don't think it would hold good in this case anyway.

 

[InsideWaist]

I want to make it so that the safety does not get inadvertently switched on.

I know what you're saying. Here in California, the safety is not an option.

I carry with a chambered round and the safety off. However, I only use the safety when:

1. I'm holstering the gun (putting it back in). Once it is holstered, I reach in with my finger (Alien Gear holster) and turn off the safety.
2. When adding the "Plus One" in the chamber (reinserting the topped-off mag) and then holstering.

 

[Funflyer]

I want to make it so that the safety does not get inadvertently switched on.

If I wanted to make the TS inop, I'd drill/tap for a 4-40 set screw just above the lever. The screw would be threaded in just far enough to interfere with the TS action and clear a holster. With a dab of blue loctite it would stay put until you wanted to remove it. If you ever removed it permanently, a dab of black RTV would make the frame look like nothing was ever done.

 

[InsideWaist]

Here's how to manually remove the safety ...

M&P Shield Manual Safety Removal

.

.

 

[vortex360]

Performance center only comes with safety. If I want to be preached to I'll go to church or listen to my wife.

People are giving good advice. Some unsafe people aren't capable of accepting it.

 

[jim46ok]

If I wanted to make the TS inop, I'd drill/tap for a 4-40 set screw just above the lever. The screw would be threaded in just far enough to interfere with the TS action and clear a holster. With a dab of blue loctite it would stay put until you wanted to remove it. If you ever removed it permanently, a dab of black RTV would make the frame look like nothing was ever done.

Slick idea. I may put one on mine. But mine has a pretty definite detent, and I can't imagine accidentally operating it. I'm sure it has happened......

 

[Zoner]

mine has a safety. I am not worried about it somehow becoming activated. I would consider that if involved in a shooting your weapon will be inspected and having disabled a safety feature could very well work against you in a court of law.

 

[Rastoff]

If I wanted to make the TS inop, I'd drill/tap for a 4-40 set screw just above the lever.

I like the concept here, but the execution may leave a little to be desired.

You'd be drilling and tapping into polymer. Even with Loctite it may not hold. This leaves the potential for a small piece to get loose and get inside the works, potentially jamming up the action.

I'm not hard over on this being a bad idea. I just think it requires caution.

 

[Funflyer]

I like the concept here, but the execution may leave a little to be desired.

You'd be drilling and tapping into polymer. Even with Loctite it may not hold. This leaves the potential for a small piece to get loose and get inside the works, potentially jamming up the action.

I'm not hard over on this being a bad idea. I just think it requires caution.

Would definitely have to be tested and inspected periodically. Another option would be to thread a set screw through the lever and into the polymer. Loctite red would also help keep things in place.

 

[Houlton]

In my opinion buy one without a safety. Anything you do voids the warranty. Also if you ever have to use it you can bet your ***, car and the house cat it will be a point either in the investigation or civil suit. The possibility of having to use the gun is very small but is does happen. Plan for the possibilities. On another note. My wife just bought a Shield this AM. With safety. Hasn't used it but firing the rental put 30 out of 32 in the 7 ring or better at 7 yds. Not bad considering she saw 70 a few years back, has arthritis and just started shooting again after 20 years. Guess I had better not torque her off.

 

[Groundhog34]

I applied the glue, 2 tiny drops, then moved the safety to the fire position and let it set. It is not noticeable and has secured the safety in fire position. I did not mention the fact I am left handed so the possibility of accidental engagement was greater than for a right handed person.
As for the warranty not an issue as the glue can be easily removed. My background mitigates my concerns of criminal or tort repercussions. The safety or lack of are not factors in determining whether a shooting is justifiable. Accidental discharge is another issue.

 

[Rastoff]

Anything you do voids the warranty.

This is simply not true. Only modifications that cause a problem are not covered.

 

[Houlton]

I applied the glue, 2 tiny drops, then moved the safety to the fire position and let it set. It is not noticeable and has secured the safety in fire position. I did not mention the fact I am left handed so the possibility of accidental engagement was greater than for a right handed person.
As for the warranty not an issue as the glue can be easily removed. My background mitigates my concerns of criminal or tort repercussions. The safety or lack of are not factors in determining whether a shooting is justifiable. Accidental discharge is another issue.

I was one of my Depts. firearms instructors for 22 years a good bit as the Senior one. I had a considerable amount of data on Officer involved shootings and some of the aftermath. There is almost always a civil suit. The plaintiffs attorney will use anything to swing the jury his way. When you are dealing with a jury any little thing can be made to be a big thing. If you have a group that knows nothing about firearms a simple thing as disabling the safety can be made into a major point. Remember when you are dealing with a jury you have 12 people. Some want to do a good job, some have nothing else to do, and there are those who couldn't get out of it and want someone to pay for it. I've spent a lot of time in court and I can promise you truth and whats right doesn't always win with a jury.

 

[scoobysnacker]

Yeah I agree with Houlton. If you ever have to use it, and you have intentionally disabled the safety, you better believe you will be painted in a poor light.
This would be less of an issue if it was a range/fun gun, but I don't see a Shield as that. If you want a gun that's primary purpose will be to shoot an assailant, and you don't want a manual safety, buy a gun that doesn't have that safety.

 

[Houlton]

This is simply not true. Only modifications that cause a problem are not covered.

Just read the S&W's manual. Never allow any alteration or replacement parts unless performed by a qualified gunsmith. I've known several highly qualified 'smiths and with the litigates world we live in I would be surprised if you can find a qualified that would deactivate the safety. In the RIA manual ANY modification not done by the factory voids the warranty.

 

[Groundhog34]

It is questionable if this is a modification. It depends on the meaning of "is".

 

[yep380]

I'm not a lawyer or a gunsmith, however...

I would not modify a safety internally (i.e. cut the tab off internally and leave the lever intact) so it looks like it works, but it doesn't. That's a recipe for disaster. Think about that.

I wouldn't put super glue near a firearm.

I think the suggestion for putting a small screw in the frame that prevents movement of the safety sounds like the best way to go if you absolutely must be sure it's not going to move. At least it can be reversed and it's obvious to the future owner of the gun (you ain't gonna live forever) that the safety doesn't work.

As for whether or not making the safety inoperable makes you more liable to a lawsuit, I'll leave that to the lawyers.

 

[Groundhog34]

I'm not a lawyer or a gunsmith, however...

I would not modify a safety internally (i.e. cut the tab off internally and leave the lever intact) so it looks like it works, but it doesn't. That's a recipe for disaster. Think about that.


As for whether or not making the safety inoperable makes you more liable to a lawsuit, I'll leave that to the lawyers.

I am one of the above the answer is NO

 

[jim46ok]

This is simply not true. Only modifications that cause a problem are not covered.

Agreed. I sent my Shield in with a few mods, and they did the repair, no questions asked. I even cleared it with the CS rep before sending. They are mainly concerned about THEIR liability. Not yours.