Need help / Advice - M&P Shield Down Hard - locked up.

[bcj128]

So I took my Shield to the range for some practice. I got through maybe 6 mags worth of rounds when it suddenly locked up slightly out of battery (about 1/8 of an inch). The trigger wouldn't function either.

The slide would not move - then I did a tap-rack-asses and upon tapping the mag and pulling back on the slide (although it still failed to move back) it went into battery.

I pulled the trigger and the round in the chamber fired but the pistol did not cycle. So now it still sits locked up with the slide moving back only 1/8 an inch then nothing.

It doesn't feel like the round is lodged in the chamber - it feels like the mechanism of the gun itself is all locked up somewhere internally.

For info on the ammo I was using it was American Eagle 115 FMJ. The gun itself has less than 400 rounds through it. Smith will be sending me a call tag to send it in as well.

Not trying to say this is any kind of widespread issue, as this seems to be a truly "one off" type of malfunction. The guys at Smith seemed a little befuddled as well but yo their credit they have thus far seemed very responsive. Looking for any ideas or experiences as to what this could be?

 

[bigwheelzip]

Mine did the same thing at the range. Range gunsmith got it apart and found the recoil spring slipped past its seat and jammed the slide.

 

[bcj128]

Mine did the same thing at the range. Range gunsmith got it apart and found the recoil spring slipped past its seat and jammed the slide.

My concern would be is what's the fix for this? Do I need a new recoil spring assembly, or is this something that just "happens" every so often. For me this is a off-duty carry / backup gun so it's important to me that it's 100% reliable.

 

[JMichaelTX]

My concern would be is what's the fix for this? Do I need a new recoil spring assembly, or is this something that just "happens" every so often. For me this is a off-duty carry / backup gun so it's important to me that it's 100% reliable.

Have you reported the issue to S&W?
If so, what was their response?

 

[RobzGuns]

If it IS a case of the RSA slipping off the ledge, is the slide back far enough to grab the front of the RSA with needle nose pliers?
If so, while slightly holding some rearward traction on the slide, try to grab the front of the RSA and (using the dust cover as a fulcrum) swing it back up onto the 'ledge'.
(Not the easiest do describe how to do it)

I haven't had to do this with the Shield, but it has worked with other brands/models.

 

[hoc9sw]

And I thought I had found every possible way to break a Shield! Seems I was wrong. This one is new to me.

 

[bcj128]

I hate to speak these words… But I am glad I didn't sell my Glock 43…

 

[bigwheelzip]

My concern would be is what's the fix for this? Do I need a new recoil spring assembly, or is this something that just "happens" every so often. For me this is a off-duty carry / backup gun so it's important to me that it's 100% reliable.

The range smith forced the spring back into place as a temporary fix and I ordered a new RSA from CS. New RSA is same as old one, so I feel unsure about it. But so far...

 

[walkin' trails]

I don't know how common a problem that is, but I can see it being a potential problem with just about any semi auto. Remember that they're all only mechanical devices, and any such device is prone to failure at some point or another. I've never seen or experienced that problem, but would suggest that, unless a lot of other Shield users are suffering similar issues, that you probably don't have to worry about it. For safety's sake, keep the old RSA. Shoot the gun before you carry it again, and if the problem reoccurs, sent the whole thing back. Sometimes stuff gets out the factory door that was not in spec, and they need to be aware of the aberrations.

 

[PirateJim]

I've been watching this forum pretty regularly for well over a year and don't recall seeing this exact scenario before. There are repeated tales of bent flanges on the RSA (I guess flange is a good word for the disk that holds everything in place.) I almost wonder if this is somehow related to that issue?

If you try the trick with pulling the guide rod with pliers, you may want to give the rod a turn if it won't seem to catch at first. If the flange is indeed bent giving it a turn might present an unbent area to re-seat.

I hope you'll post info on what problem is actually found.

 

[bcj128]

Gun is on its way to S&W for repair. I was unable to get it to open up, and they were very good about wanting to check it.

I'm wondering if it was out of spec ammo as the slide would only cycle until it came time to start extracting the round out of the chamber. It appears that the first 1/8 of travel moves both the barrel and slid together as the barrel tilts. Not sure if this is it as the very first sign of trouble was on chambering.

Once I know more I will post more info. So far Smith has been very responsive.

 

[bcj128]

Need help / Advice - M&P Shield Down Hard - locked up.

Received an email from S&W saying my gun was inspected, trigger bar replaced, and the chamber / barrel was polished. I asked if they could give me more details and the customer service rep said she was going to get in touch with their tech to find out more. They got the gun on Thursday and it just needs to be test fired.

Great customer service!

 

[tbgunner88]

So I took my Shield to the range for some practice. I got through maybe 6 mags worth of rounds when it suddenly locked up slightly out of battery (about 1/8 of an inch). The trigger wouldn't function either.

The slide would not move - then I did a tap-rack-asses and upon tapping the mag and pulling back on the slide (although it still failed to move back) it went into battery.

I pulled the trigger and the round in the chamber fired but the pistol did not cycle. So now it still sits locked up with the slide moving back only 1/8 an inch then nothing.

It doesn't feel like the round is lodged in the chamber - it feels like the mechanism of the gun itself is all locked up somewhere internally.

For info on the ammo I was using it was American Eagle 115 FMJ. The gun itself has less than 400 rounds through it. Smith will be sending me a call tag to send it in as well.

Not trying to say this is any kind of widespread issue, as this seems to be a truly "one off" type of malfunction. The guys at Smith seemed a little befuddled as well but yo their credit they have thus far seemed very responsive. Looking for any ideas or experiences as to what this could be?

You tapped and racked what Joking aside, glad to hear that S&W is taking care of the pistol for you.

 

[Rastoff]

I'm curious to hear if they tell you more details.

 

[rwsmith]

Exactly what happened.....

Mine did the same thing at the range. Range gunsmith got it apart and found the recoil spring slipped past its seat and jammed the slide.

That is exactly what happened with my Kel Tec. The first time I tried everything, then put it in a padded vise and tapped on it different ways with a wood block and mallet. It sprang free.

The next time I tried everything and couldn't get it loose. I called the factory and he said, yeah, that happens with the old pistols and we have to take it apart at the factory. They gave good service and turn around. Now, it doesn't seem quite right, but I haven't messed with it enough to know for sure. When I assemble it and take it back apart, the recoil spring has jumped out of its recessed seat up to the next step just above it on the barrel. It doesn't seem to hurt anything, but like I said, it just isn't right. I wanted a small cheap plastic gun and got one. Now I'm going to have to check the reliability and if not satisfied it's trade in time.

 

[trobinson017]

Any word on details from S&W? I'm planning to buy a Shield in a month and would like to know, particularly if they say it's been happening with others.

Thanks.

TRob

 

[bcj128]

It seems to be very uncommon. Mine was an issue with the chamber which they fixed free of charge.

 

[JMichaelTX]

Mine was an issue with the chamber which they fixed free of charge.

Did you have to pay shipping either way?
How long did it take to fix your gun, from the point you shipped it until it was delivered back to you?

 

[bcj128]

Did you have to pay shipping either way?
How long did it take to fix your gun, from the point you shipped it until it was delivered back to you?

They sent me a shipping label, and it's still there. But it will be sent back for free and I think total time gone will be about 3 weeks.

 

[bcj128]

Any word on details from S&W? I'm planning to buy a Shield in a month and would like to know, particularly if they say it's been happening with others.

Thanks.

TRob

I cannot find anyone else who had this issue. I also believe it was a slightly tight chamber combined with some slightly out of spec ammo. So I'm betting it's a one-off kind of problem.