My Shield .40 issues

[Nomadic Vagabond]

Is there anyone out there who has shot the Hornady Critical Defense out of their Shield .40? If so what were the results?

Hi - Like you, I like shooting WWB FMJ and Hornady CD. My WWB FMJ casings don't bulge but the Hornady CD cases bulge as bad as yours do. Adding to that, I also experience a locked slide with ammo still in the mag.

I've hijacked this thread a few times - maybe you can read through some of it. Basically, I've sent my Shield 40 to S&W twice and I'm currently waiting for it back.

Looks like we are in the same boat, unfortunately.

 

[turbo38gn]

definition of insanity.... = doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results..

 

[Maximumbob54]

I too am sorry to hear S&W isn't doing a good job at making this gun right. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones with a .40SW Shield that works just fine. Mine is newer though as I just bought it months ago and it was only made months before that.

A pic of my chamber:



I've loaded some fairly warm loads with Longshot over 180gr plated bullets and not a case yet was deformed. I don't for a second see how the recoil spring or guide rod has anything to do with this. There are enough videos out there with springs removed and then more with a thumb over the back of the slide to show it is hype or myth that either is needed for the gun other than their function. The guns don't break and thumbs aren't bent backwards. Case bulge is the pressure not being contained by the chamber. Instead the case is flowing outward to meet the chamber walls or the brass just bearly containing the pressure. Keep hounding S&W to make this gun right. NO, you should NOT have to do it but this is the current way of things. Don't let them win on this. Keep making them give you a return label and keep sending it to them until they make it right.

 

[Ajaxtheknight]

I sent the gun in to Smith again. I just Got it back yesterday. They expedited the repair this time because it was the guns third trip in. They only had it for a week. Less than a two week turn around including shipping.

I have not shot it yet so I can't say if the problem with case bulging is resolved. I did notice a few things.

They replaced the barrel again. This is only repair they made. The first two times I got it back the barrel was nice and oiled as was the rest of the gun. This time it was bone dry. No visible oil anywhere on the gun. I have always cleaned and lubricated it before I sent it in. It is fairly dirty inside so I know of it was fired. The new barrel has wear chatter mark all along its length I presume from being fired bone dry. As well as visible wear on the outside of the chamber area.

I don't know what kind or how much ammo was run through this gun to test it but my recoil spring is noticeably weaker. There is no more two stage feel when racking the slide. I can also rack it with two fingers on the front of the slide, something I couldn't do before. I am pretty confident they have fired more rounds out of this gun than I have. They couldn't put a new recoil spring in it for me?

I also notice a nick in the rear slide cover plate from contact with the ejector during reassembly. A sloppy careless thing to do. Whoever worked on this gun either didn't care or didn't know what they were doing, neither is acceptable.

I have given Smith more than enough chances to show me what kind of a company they are, and now I know. They are very interested in selling firearms and that is it. Their concern stops there.

This whole experience has been terrible. I sent the firearm to them in the first place at their request. I won't be buying another one of there products, and I will be suggesting the same to everyone I know.

Thanks to everyone for all the comments that have been posted. Sorry for the rant but I have not been this disappointed with a company/product in a long time.

 

[turbo38gn]

I sent the gun in to Smith again. I just Got it back yesterday. They expedited the repair this time because it was the guns third trip in. They only had it for a week. Less than a two week turn around including shipping.

I have not shot it yet so I can't say if the problem with case bulging is resolved. I did notice a few things.

They replaced the barrel again. This is only repair they made. The first two times I got it back the barrel was nice and oiled as was the rest of the gun. This time it was bone dry. No visible oil anywhere on the gun. I have always cleaned and lubricated it before I sent it in. It is fairly dirty inside so I know of it was fired. The new barrel has wear chatter mark all along its length I presume from being fired bone dry. As well as visible wear on the outside of the chamber area.

I don't know what kind or how much ammo was run through this gun to test it but my recoil spring is noticeably weaker. There is no more two stage feel when racking the slide. I can also rack it with two fingers on the front of the slide, something I couldn't do before. I am pretty confident they have fired more rounds out of this gun than I have. They couldn't put a new recoil spring in it for me?

I also notice a nick in the rear slide cover plate from contact with the ejector during reassembly. A sloppy careless thing to do. Whoever worked on this gun either didn't care or didn't know what they were doing, neither is acceptable.

I have given Smith more than enough chances to show me what kind of a company they are, and now I know. They are very interested in selling firearms and that is it. Their concern stops there.

This whole experience has been terrible. I sent the firearm to them in the first place at their request. I won't be buying another one of there products, and I will be suggesting the same to everyone I know.

Thanks to everyone for all the comments that have been posted. Sorry for the rant but I have not been this disappointed with a company/product in a long time.

Bub-bye!!!

 

[Ajaxtheknight]

I never said I was leaving. I didn't even say I was getting rid of this gun.

 

[Arik]

There is no way they fired that much to make the recoil spring noticeably weaker. What did they shoot 5K rounds through it?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Ajaxtheknight]

I have no way of knowing how many rounds were fired. But the difference was obvious the first time I racked the slide after getting it back. I only mention it it because I took note of how difficult it was to rack all the way back when I first got it.

 

[turbo38gn]

I have no way of knowing how many rounds were fired. But the difference was obvious the first time I racked the slide after getting it back. I only mention it it because I took note of how difficult it was to rack all the way back when I first got it.

Oh, I'm sorry, you must have misinterpreted what I meant.... I had to run to the bathroom cause I needed to throw up....

 

[Ajaxtheknight]

Still not understanding your pointless sarcasm. Do you have vested interest in S&W?

 

[Rastoff]

Well, the proof is in the shooting. Let us know if the gun still bulges cases.

 

[hbaird]

Does the primer bulge out at all? If not the pistol is in battery when it fires. The chamber portion of the barrel can only be so small or the normal expansion would lock the brass too tight for the ejector to pull it out. I would never shoot any brand or type of ammo that bulges the brass. No pistol is designed to work with anything you put in it. The Shield is a pocket pistol designed for minimum weight and size at a given price. If you buy one accept the limits that come with the size, weight, and price. For more of each of these limits the gun could do more but then it would not give me what I want in price, weight, and size. I expect you can buy .40 S&W pistols that can handle hotter loads than the Shield for more money. I suggest you consider doing that. I expect the Hornaby rounds exceed or at the maximum pressure allowed for .40 S&W claliber. Hornaby would never admit to that. I believe S&W is doing all they can when they replace the barrel. If this was my situation I feel I would have two choices. Get a refund and buy a gun that will do what I want or accept the limits of what I have. And no I am in no way a part of S&W.

 

[Ajaxtheknight]

I already own firearms in .40 that will do what I want. Including subcompacts. I just want this firearm to perform as advertised. And remember I sent this firearm in at S&W's request. Since the issue with bulging did improve after the first repair, that leads me to believe there was something wrong with the original barrel.

If this gun does not operate safely with certain brands or types of ammo Smith should state that in their owners manual. I only read no +p, and no reloads, neither of which I have fired through this gun.

 

[RobsTV]

Sucks the bad luck you are having with that Shield.

For reference, my Shield 40 test fired a week earlier than yours, 08-16-2012.

Have fired close to 3000 rounds of lead reloads, most warm 155gr HP's, Federal Magnum SPP, WAP or WSF powder, and have been reusing the same 250 pieces of brass from day one. It all still looks like new and never any bulges. I do always inspect as some range pickups will have the bulge.

 

[Ajaxtheknight]

I got out this morning and fired the freshly repaired Shield. I am glad to report that it no longer bulged the brass of anything i put through it. This includes the critical defense which was so scary to begin with. I knew it could be fixed.

I should also mention that about halfway through shooting today, maybe 25 rounds in or so I realized one of the rear sight dots had fallen out. I realize this is common but I could not help but laugh. What else will happen to this thing. I called Smith and he offered to have me send it back in for a fourth time. I laughed at him. He suggested I go buy model paint at my own expense and repaint it. What a joke, but this is probably what I will do. They are also sending me a rear sight but I don't plan to put it on until I am required to remove the current one.

But hay at least I am not afraid of the thing anymore.

 

[mustangman]

Glad to hear that your gun is working for you now. As far a the sights go, I'd pop the other side out and go with all black. I actually took a Sharpie and blacked mine out. It helps me pick up the front sight better.

 

[Dewy]

Maybe Time for This

Hi all, great site you have here. I found this forum after I started having issues with my shield 40. I really wanted to know if what I was dealing with was common/normal. I don't normally post to forums but in light of all the recent activity on here concerning this firearm I thought I should share my experience.

About a month ago I took it to the range for the first time in awhile. I fired about 5 magazines through it of three different types of ammo, WWB 165gr, PPU, and Hornady Critical Defense. All purchased shortly before the range trip from a big box store. All of them went off without a hitch, all of the rounds fed and fired perfectly. When I got home I cleaned out my range bag and inspected the brass from the days shooting(something I always do). I was shocked to see that many of the casing were severely deformed in the web area. The critical defense rounds were deformed almost to the braking point. Needless to say I was a little put off by this. I have never had a firearm do this in any caliber, I have heard of it happening though.

I contacted S&W and they requested I send it back to them. It is currently with them and I am awaiting a resolution. Is this normal for these guns? Am I overreacting? I realize the Hornady rounds are a little on the hot side but they are still within SAAMI specs. The PPU and WWB rounds deformed as well although not to the extent of the Hornadys.

I have included some photos of the barrel and Hornady rounds for reference. Any comments, suggestions or questions are welcome.

Thanks, Alex

Mine looks like that also, I have never fired it yet just bought yesterday, now I'm afraid to shoot the dang thing. Makes one wonder if S&W gives a ****, they keep going BOOM. I have the 9 and just looked and the barrel and ramp look tight not like my 40 barrel, could you have fornd the Boom problem in the 40 that Smith keeps telling us that is fine? Do you have a 9 also, if you do take a look? Mine is better and tighter than the 40.

 

[Dewy]

Question to Smith

Hi all, great site you have here. I found this forum after I started having issues with my shield 40. I really wanted to know if what I was dealing with was common/normal. I don't normally post to forums but in light of all the recent activity on here concerning this firearm I thought I should share my experience.

About a month ago I took it to the range for the first time in awhile. I fired about 5 magazines through it of three different types of ammo, WWB 165gr, PPU, and Hornady Critical Defense. All purchased shortly before the range trip from a big box store. All of them went off without a hitch, all of the rounds fed and fired perfectly. When I got home I cleaned out my range bag and inspected the brass from the days shooting(something I always do). I was shocked to see that many of the casing were severely deformed in the web area. The critical defense rounds were deformed almost to the braking point. Needless to say I was a little put off by this. I have never had a firearm do this in any caliber, I have heard of it happening though.

I contacted S&W and they requested I send it back to them. It is currently with them and I am awaiting a resolution. Is this normal for these guns? Am I overreacting? I realize the Hornady rounds are a little on the hot side but they are still within SAAMI specs. The PPU and WWB rounds deformed as well although not to the extent of the Hornadys.

I have included some photos of the barrel and Hornady rounds for reference. Any comments, suggestions or questions are welcome.

Thanks, Alex

Just sent this to Smith customer service.

Serial # HTE****

Bought this yesterday after reading the forums on the 40's having a problem with destruction I was looking at both the 9 and 40 and found a possible problem with the 40 barrel.

The 9's feed ramp is tight all the way into the chamber, with the 40 it is not tight but goes up into the chamber a little making an exposed area in the shell casing which could cause a blowout at the bottom right side of the casing. I noticed that all the blowouts are on the right side. Could this be a concern or am I over reacting to an ongoing problem with the 40 Shield? If this is the case it could hurt some one, I am taking several pictures of this barrel along with the 9 barrel in case their is a problem. I haven't fired the gun yet but an a little reluctant. I noticed another guy on the Smith forum that found the problem that caused me to look at mine and compare to the 9 I already have fired. Do I Fire or what should I do?