My Shield is a paper weight - help needed

[TN-Bodyguard]

Is there anywhere I can purchase a complete recoil spring assembly for a 9mm Shield?

Originally, my recoil spring assembly (RSA) was protruding forward so I called S&W to get a replacement. They say they will send one but it will be a few weeks because they are on back order.

Then several weeks later, the RSA falls apart completely. I call S&W back, they can't find the original order, but will place a new one, but it will take a few weeks because its on back order.

Now my Sheild is completely unusable. I suspect that if I call again in a few weeks, that it will be a 'few weeks' because it is on back order.

I would like to buy a after market replacement, but can't find anything. Does anyone know where I can order one?

Thanks.

 

[fishintheblood]

Smith and Wesson Shield Guide Rod - Stainless Steel Guide Rods

This is the only one I know of. They ask to send your old one in but I know others have called and they will send you the rod and you have to put your original spring on it.
good luck

 

[Bob O]

There is no complete aftermarket assembly that I'm aware of. But if you still have the larger of the two springs from the factory assembly, you can order an aftermarket guide rod that will accept it.

Check ssguiderods.com and see if you'd be interested in something like that as either a temporary fix or permanent upgrade.

 

[iez]

What was your original problem?

I bought my Shield 9mm a week ago, put a hundred rounds through it. When I got home I noticed the recoil spring guide was not flush, sticking out maybe an 1/8th inch. I cycled the action, mag out mag in, all that stuff to no avail. I field stripped the pistol and was fiddling with the spring assembly when the assembly fell apart. The little not quite a screw thing on the end that keeps it all together fell off. I put it back together and the screw thing is holding, but it still sticks out. And I'm pretty leery about firing it again as it came apart so easily in my hands.

Advice from anyone would be appreciated. I have an M&P .45 that I love and was really looking forward to this little sister of an M&P I have now.

 

[CaptRon956]

What was your original problem?

I bought my Shield 9mm a week ago, put a hundred rounds through it. When I got home I noticed the recoil spring guide was not flush, sticking out maybe an 1/8th inch. I cycled the action, mag out mag in, all that stuff to no avail. I field stripped the pistol and was fiddling with the spring assembly when the assembly fell apart. The little not quite a screw thing on the end that keeps it all together fell off. I put it back together and the screw thing is holding, but it still sticks out. And I'm pretty leery about firing it again as it came apart so easily in my hands.

Advice from anyone would be appreciated. I have an M&P .45 that I love and was really looking forward to this little sister of an M&P I have now.

If it was my gun, I'd get a new spring, ideally a OEM replacement from S&W... If they respond by saying they dont have any or its on backorder, hey, as a consumer that's not your problem, you spent good money on a product and you are not satisfied with it. It is their responsibility to provide a replacement part in a reasonable amount of time. I don't think it's fair as a consumer to be "forced" into looking into the aftermarket for a replacement part. We need to start making phones calls...

 

[Florida J Frame]

This Shield RSA problem just doesn't ring true with me. It looks like a vendor part that they buy and install in their guns. I could be wrong but I really doubt that they are making them on site. The only reason I can see that they don't have stock is that they know there is a design issue and they haven't fixed it yet so they are just keeping up with production until they design a better unit. This isn't a new gun and most dealers seem to have plenty of stock so the "keeping up with orders" excuse doesn't work either. This is just my opinion but I have a bad feeling about it.

 

[Radco]

Smith and Wesson Shield Guide Rod - Stainless Steel Guide Rods

This is the only one I know of. They ask to send your old one in but I know others have called and they will send you the rod and you have to put your original spring on it.
good luck

They say they only use the main spring! Does it work as good a factory w/o the small spring ? Or am I missing something? Thanks

 

[00stormbringer]

Is there anywhere I can purchase a complete recoil spring assembly for a 9mm Shield?

Originally, my recoil spring assembly (RSA) was protruding forward so I called S&W to get a replacement. They say they will send one but it will be a few weeks because they are on back order.

Then several weeks later, the RSA falls apart completely. I call S&W back, they can't find the original order, but will place a new one, but it will take a few weeks because its on back order.

Now my Sheild is completely unusable. I suspect that if I call again in a few weeks, that it will be a 'few weeks' because it is on back order.

I would like to buy a after market replacement, but can't find anything. Does anyone know where I can order one?

Thanks.

G&R Tactical have them in stock for $9, but their minimum order is $50. I ordered (2) RSA's for my shields $18,(1) RSA for my compact $9, and (2) 3rd Gen slide stops for my compact & CORE $30. $57+$10 S+H = $67. Received UPS Tracking # this afternoon with a Wednesday delivery date.

S&W M&P Shield Guide Rod Assembly at G and R Tactical

 

[RobzGuns]

My problem is that G&R doesn't really have anything besides the RSA that I want, or need.

I'm seriously pondering just buying $54 worth (9) and selling them to others that need them, for my cost (9each+Shipping) + postage... Just to pass them along to those that need 'em.

 

[Saudade]

G&R Tactical have them in stock for $9, but their minimum order is $50.

Their $50 min is a real pain. I already have the new slide locks, H trigger bars, even the PC sear and spare FS barrel. I'd jump if they had the striker assy in stock. I just can't see buying a bunch of RSA's to make the min purchase.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Has anyone tried the G&R part? Wondering about the quality.

 

[Saudade]

They are OEM S&W parts. I have the parts I named above in my FS and Compact. (well, except the spare barrel).

 

[Bob O]

The pistol functions just fine with just the large spring. I haven't heard anything different or negative from the few guys, me included, who have tried it or are using it.

 

[bedbugbilly]

Bob O - so a question because I'm not a "semi-auto" guy - been shooting revolvers for 50 years. The only 9mm I've had is a SR9. I picked up a Shield a couple of weeks ago - no issues so far - flawless with my re-loads and cast.

BUT . . if a problem should occur with the RSA - are you using the aftermarket stainless part that is described above - or the Smith stock rod? Also - with just the larger spring being used - what or will this affect the wear on the Shield over time. My thinking is less resistance on the slide so it is slamming back harder for ejecting and returning back into batter when chambering? Or am I wrong with my thinking? Not questioning if it works or not - just wondering if a person goes with just the largge spring, will there be excessive wear over time?


Thanks.

 

[TN-Bodyguard]

What was your original problem?

I bought my Shield 9mm a week ago, put a hundred rounds through it. When I got home I noticed the recoil spring guide was not flush, sticking out maybe an 1/8th inch. I cycled the action, mag out mag in, all that stuff to no avail. I field stripped the pistol and was fiddling with the spring assembly when the assembly fell apart. The little not quite a screw thing on the end that keeps it all together fell off. I put it back together and the screw thing is holding, but it still sticks out. And I'm pretty leery about firing it again as it came apart so easily in my hands.

Advice from anyone would be appreciated. I have an M&P .45 that I love and was really looking forward to this little sister of an M&P I have now.

That is pretty much what happened to me. First I noticed it was not flush. I shot it at the range a few times and it worked OK. Then I went field strip, the spring fell apart.

 

[Bob O]

Well, I don't have a longevity test for it, as I traded the pistol for a 1911 two weeks ago. But I passed the rod along to another member here who is using it successfully.

I did not notice any difference in the way the pistol shot or felt. I made a video on YouTube, just search there for Shield and stainless guide rod if you would like to watch the vid.

 

[biblenguns]

started a thread on the same subject. It has been a month since I called SW. Still no replacement. Lucky for me Bob O had a used guiderod that he no longer needed. He shipped it to me and even made a video on putting my spring on it. The gun works fine. SSSteelguiderods.com has the guide rod , you use your spring, good luck.

 

[Radco]

My problem is that G&R doesn't really have anything besides the RSA that I want, or need.

I'm seriously pondering just buying $54 worth (9) and selling them to others that need them, for my cost (9each+Shipping) + postage... Just to pass them along to those that need 'em.

Rob I was thinking the same thing. A group buy If you do it I would be in for 1 maybe 2 for my 9mm Shield! For the price 2 is very doable ! so far do not need it but as the say better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it

 

[iez]

I went ahead and ordered this: Smith and Wesson Shield Guide Rod - Stainless Steel Guide Rods

Talking with the company, the guide rod uses an actual screw which is secured with red loctite to hold the spring on. There was a problem with paying through the website, so I had to log into paypal and send a separate payment. Customer service has been great though, I didn't have to wait more than an hour to get a reply to any email I sent. They are very easy to work with. I am going to ship the assembly to them on Wednesday 05Aug. If anything goes wonky with it I will post it here, otherwise I'm going to figure this is resolved, as the guide rod looks like it will be a good replacement, as Bob O can attest (I checked out and liked your vid btw).

I can't wait to see what S&W will come up with to fix this on future production models. Maybe they can partner with SSGR. With shipping, the guide rod only came to $27.50, not including the cost to ship it down to Florida. It would be worth adding an extra $20 or so to the shield's price tag to have a superior product.

Thanks for the support.

 

[00stormbringer]

Rob I was thinking the same thing. A group buy If you do it I would be in for 1 maybe 2 for my 9mm Shield! For the price 2 is very doable ! so far do not need it but as the say better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it

I believe the shield RSA's have a 5,000 round service life. After an initial 500 rounds break in, I like to put at least 1 box of ammo through my EDC each week. So, I would need to change out RSA's about every 2 years. You can't have to many spare parts on hand, especially S&W M&P parts!