New Shield .40 will not feed rounds consistently.

[NCW Ray]

I picked up my Shield 40 a few days ago. I haven't had the chance to shoot it yet. But i have been racking the slide to make sure it feeds round properly into the barrel. The rounds most of the time get stuck at an upward angle and don't sit into the barrel correctly. The feed ramp seems to be fine and I stripped the gun down to check for any problems with interior parts but all seems to be fine there. I'm wandering if this is a magazine issue and if the magazine springs just need to be broken in first. This happened to both magazines initially but now it really only happens with the extended magazine. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

I'd go shoot it before I worried for even a second about it.

 

[A.Christopher]

Actually I shipped mine out and received it back on the exact same dates, Shipped on 2/21, S&W received it on 2/24 and and received from them on 3/10. They did not give me a free mag probably because i sent them all 5 of my mags in with the gun, maybe they figured I had enough already. The repair document states:
"Performed Service: Evaluate / Repair - Replace Barrel/Extractor/Function Test"
So I take it out to the range today to fire a few hundred rounds through it to see how it performs. Same damn issue! after 5 Fail to Feed out of 250 rounds (and one stove pipe, slide caught the spent casing as it was feeding the next round) I left the range. Same deal as before, Bullet nose down, not touching feed ramp, happens with any of my 5 mags and 2 and a half boxes of WWB ammo. I'm planning to call S&W to see if they want me to send it back... again.

I figured even though it's been almost a year, I should post a follow up to my issue with my Shield.

So after my last post back in March of last year, I called them up and explained that it still failed to feed rounds consistently even after they've repaired it and sent it back. The tech suggested that I ship it back to them and assured me that the issue would be resolved. I don't remember exactly how long they had it, I want to say 3-4 weeks before I had it back and the documentation stated they had replaced the entire slide assembly.

The reason I haven't tested it since it came back was because I injured my back (ruptured 2 discs in my lower back) and have been dealing with it off and on since March of last year. After a lot of physical therapy I'm finally doing much better with little to no pain but still healing.

With that being said, I finally got around to taking it to the range a few times in the last month to see if the issue has been resolved or not. I can say it's functioned 100% perfectly since I received it back the second time. All of my magazines, same brand ammo, different brand ammo, everything feeds without any issues. I just wanted to post a follow up and even though I was unlucky enough to have experienced issues right out of the box, and had to ship it in twice to get it resolved, I’m glad that it seems to be 100% reliable so far. I'm hoping that it continues to function without issues after I put a few hundred more rounds through it, then I'll install my parts in it.

 

[mustangman]

I figured even though it's been almost a year, I should post a follow up to my issue with my Shield.

So after my last post back in March of last year, I called them up and explained that it still failed to feed rounds consistently even after they've repaired it and sent it back. The tech suggested that I ship it back to them and assured me that the issue would be resolved. I don't remember exactly how long they had it, I want to say 3-4 weeks before I had it back and the documentation stated they had replaced the entire slide assembly.

The reason I haven't tested it since it came back was because I injured my back (ruptured 2 discs in my lower back) and have been dealing with it off and on since March of last year. After a lot of physical therapy I'm finally doing much better with little to no pain but still healing.

With that being said, I finally got around to taking it to the range a few times in the last month to see if the issue has been resolved or not. I can say it's functioned 100% perfectly since I received it back the second time. All of my magazines, same brand ammo, different brand ammo, everything feeds without any issues. I just wanted to post a follow up and even though I was unlucky enough to have experienced issues right out of the box, and had to ship it in twice to get it resolved, I’m glad that it seems to be 100% reliable so far. I'm hoping that it continues to function without issues after I put a few hundred more rounds through it, then I'll install my parts in it.

Glad you hear that S&W was able to resolve your issues. Also glad to hear that you are doing better health wise as well. Hopefully you'll be able to get full enjoyment out of your Shield now. Have fun and be safe.

 

[ageingstudent]

I figured even though it's been almost a year, I should post a follow up to my issue with my Shield.

So after my last post back in March of last year, I called them up and explained that it still failed to feed rounds consistently even after they've repaired it and sent it back. The tech suggested that I ship it back to them and assured me that the issue would be resolved. I don't remember exactly how long they had it, I want to say 3-4 weeks before I had it back and the documentation stated they had replaced the entire slide assembly.

The reason I haven't tested it since it came back was because I injured my back (ruptured 2 discs in my lower back) and have been dealing with it off and on since March of last year. After a lot of physical therapy I'm finally doing much better with little to no pain but still healing.

With that being said, I finally got around to taking it to the range a few times in the last month to see if the issue has been resolved or not. I can say it's functioned 100% perfectly since I received it back the second time. All of my magazines, same brand ammo, different brand ammo, everything feeds without any issues. I just wanted to post a follow up and even though I was unlucky enough to have experienced issues right out of the box, and had to ship it in twice to get it resolved, I’m glad that it seems to be 100% reliable so far. I'm hoping that it continues to function without issues after I put a few hundred more rounds through it, then I'll install my parts in it.

Interesting that supposedly the replacement slide fixed the issue. How many rounds you put through it since the fix? What do you think the issue would be with the slide?

Following this thread I would have guessed a mag issue. I have a shield .40 and the rounds don't nosedive like yours did. This was a great thread. You did well to not get upset with a nagging issue like that. I learned a lot.

Were the rounds coming up in the mag nose down or was the original slide knocking the nose down as it contacted the case?

 

[b2busy]

I figured even though it's been almost a year, I should post a follow up to my issue with my Shield.

So after my last post back in March of last year, I called them up and explained that it still failed to feed rounds consistently even after they've repaired it and sent it back. The tech suggested that I ship it back to them and assured me that the issue would be resolved. I don't remember exactly how long they had it, I want to say 3-4 weeks before I had it back and the documentation stated they had replaced the entire slide assembly.

The reason I haven't tested it since it came back was because I injured my back (ruptured 2 discs in my lower back) and have been dealing with it off and on since March of last year. After a lot of physical therapy I'm finally doing much better with little to no pain but still healing.

With that being said, I finally got around to taking it to the range a few times in the last month to see if the issue has been resolved or not. I can say it's functioned 100% perfectly since I received it back the second time. All of my magazines, same brand ammo, different brand ammo, everything feeds without any issues. I just wanted to post a follow up and even though I was unlucky enough to have experienced issues right out of the box, and had to ship it in twice to get it resolved, I’m glad that it seems to be 100% reliable so far. I'm hoping that it continues to function without issues after I put a few hundred more rounds through it, then I'll install my parts in it.

That is good to hear. I Too sent mine in for the exact same issue. your pictures could have been taken from my gun.
I sent mine back and it came back with the same issue.I think it is the mag release not holding the mag far enough into the gun, but it could be that the return spring is too weak. I just today went to the range to see if i could narrow the problem down. I held the gun firmly with pressure of a rest on the bottom of the mag and it functioned flawlessly. held in my hand and it nose down jammed. So more than likely the mag release needs to hold the magazine up a fraction in the gun. yours was fixed with a slide replacement, which most likey included a new spring. so it could have been just the spring is too weak on some models. with a stronger spring the mag releas position may be OK. anyway I guess it is back to S&W for my gun along with the above suggested items to look at.

 

[Mcwsky09]

My Shield 9 hasn't had this issue. And as far as I know my son in law's Sheild 40 has not had this issue. But I have had almost exactly the same thing on a Ruger SR40c. I have been thinking that maybe it was the flat point or not set deep enough or catching the slide stop. .
Grip did seem to have some effect but that also could have been no real effect but just seemed like it.
I thought they were catching on the ramp but I will have to take a closer look next time it happens or I will have to take a closer look at the magazines and make sure they are clean and straight etc.

 

[roboink]

M&P Shield feed problems

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I just bought a Shield .40 this past weekend and took it to the range Wednesday night and brand new out of the box started having feed problems. My rounds were doing the same...catching on the magazine, nose diving into feed ramp, hitting on the top of the barrel. Called customer service and they sent me a shipping label for fed-ex. Had a M&P full size in .40 and had no problems with that..just to big to carry. Told them for a carry gun...misfeeds are not an option. See what happens. To me the feed ramp looks to be to much of an angle...Magazines are hard to load also...maybe spring pressure is to high. Wilson Combat don't make mags for the shield, wish they did, that would be an option.

 

[CaptRon956]

Proud M&P Shield 9 owner here & its my EDC loaded with Hornady "American Gunner" XTP's.... I experienced a FTF a few times when I first bought it and narrowed it down to a mag that had a noticably more stiffer spring in it when compared to my other mags for that same gun.... I've had not one failure on the others mags after over 1000 rnds. I also disassemble & clean the mags after every outing. I strongly feel that this issue is with the magazine & not the pistol itself.

I suggest that you apply masking tape to the bottom of each mag and number them 1-whatever you got. Go to the range and note which mag was loaded that you experienced the failure. set that mag off to the side and try the others....then go back to that mag & try it again, if you experience failures with that same mag then well, there ya go...

Even so, after reading this thread, it will not deter me from purchasing a Shield 40...Great pistols!

 

[flywatt]

Got my new Shield 40 for Christmas. I picked up the Shield, took it home, broke it down and put it back together, fresh oil and all. Took it to the range and put 100 rounds through it with no feed issues.

2 weeks later, back to the range with 200 rounds of the same ammo. I'm using the extended magazine. First round manualy chambers fine. The second round fails to load every time.

I am also noticing that the bras gets hung up just a bit on the magazine. The lead clears it, but the brass just knicks the magazine. Has anyone tried shaving down the magazine half a millimeter to see if it helps? Thoughts?

 

[Johns3962]

Hey guys and gals, I purchased a shield .40 and it had feed problems. I called my dealer and they gave me S&W's phone number. I called and they sent me an RMA label. Once I packed it up in a box I called Fed ex, on Saturday they came to my door and picked it up. about a week and a half maybe two I received my shield. I took it to the range and it was perfect NO MORE feed problems. they Polished the feed ramp and replaced the recoil spring. It's perfect now. S&W is the best. Customer service is excellent. Maybe they will correct these issues on the assembly line.
shoot straight!

 

[b2busy]

Proud M&P Shield 9 owner here & its my EDC loaded with Hornady "American Gunner" XTP's.... I experienced a FTF a few times when I first bought it and narrowed it down to a mag that had a noticably more stiffer spring in it when compared to my other mags for that same gun.... I've had not one failure on the others mags after over 1000 rnds. I also disassemble & clean the mags after every outing. I strongly feel that this issue is with the magazine & not the pistol itself.

I suggest that you apply masking tape to the bottom of each mag and number them 1-whatever you got. Go to the range and note which mag was loaded that you experienced the failure. set that mag off to the side and try the others....then go back to that mag & try it again, if you experience failures with that same mag then well, there ya go...

Even so, after reading this thread, it will not deter me from purchasing a Shield 40...Great pistols!

that is easy... I had problems with mag #1,2,3,4, &5.
my gun is on its way back to me from Springfield. should get here Friday an I hope it is fixed after 2 trips to the factory, cause I really like the gun.

 

[b2busy]

Hey guys and gals, I purchased a shield .40 and it had feed problems. I called my dealer and they gave me S&W's phone number. I called and they sent me an RMA label. Once I packed it up in a box I called Fed ex, on Saturday they came to my door and picked it up. about a week and a half maybe two I received my shield. I took it to the range and it was perfect NO MORE feed problems. they Polished the feed ramp and replaced the recoil spring. It's perfect now. S&W is the best. Customer service is excellent. Maybe they will correct these issues on the assembly line.
shoot straight!

It is becoming apparent that the common thread in the fixed pistols has been the recoil spring.

 

[b2busy]

I finally got my .40 back with almost the same repair done as the first time I sent it in. all they did is replace the ejector. to my surprise it functioned properly with any factory ammo I put in it. I did not run enough through it to be 100% certain, but it looks promising. I'll try running a few more through it to see if it is truly fixed when I can.

 

[LGREENONE]

I concur.

Having shot exactly 1,000 rounds through the Shield, I've experienced a failure to chamber the next round or a jam 10 times - so a 1% failure rate which is unacceptable for a CCW. I contacted Smith about my issue and after a lengthy conversation they asked me to send them back the Shield for evaluation. I asked the guy on the phone if he's heard of my issue and he said yes but only a very small percent of Shields.

I'm hoping they'll polish the feed ramp for me and correct anything else they see wrong with the gun.

As a side note, I've noticed those reporting this issue with their Shield all have the 40 cal version. Anyone experiencing this issue with their 9mm?

I am having the same issue with my Shield 9mm. I sent back to S&W and just got it back. Haven't had a chance to test it yet. In their return they stated that they polished the chamber and breech face and found no problems. After reading about others who have gotten theirs back and still have the problem, I am thinking I will wash my hands of S&W and buy something else.

 

[b2busy]

I finally got my .40 back with almost the same repair done as the first time I sent it in. all they did is replace the ejector. to my surprise it functioned properly with any factory ammo I put in it. I did not run enough through it to be 100% certain, but it looks promising. I'll try running a few more through it to see if it is truly fixed when I can.

Well it did not function properly when I had a chance to test properly.
I sent it back a 4th time. it seems the problem is with higher power factor rounds. low PF rounds function OK, but anything that I would use for self defense does not. Winchester Silver Tip, Cor-Bon, Winchester bonded, all failed to feed as well as PMC 180 gr, fmj.

 

[CaptRon956]

Totally amazes me that the only people who have problems with their shield are the ones online when both of my shield 9 & my new shield 40 and a couple people I know in person have perfectly flawless shield's since day one...


Recently I was at the range and overheard a guy standing next to me tell his buddy that his pistol wasnt right & that it needed to be sent back for repair. It kept FTF almost every round....

Out of curiousity I asked to see it, he showed it to me and told me to go ahead & try it.....It was a small cheap Cobra .32, which are known to be finicky when new. I loaded up and shot off all 6 rounds w/o a hitch. Shrugged my shoulders & told him the gun's fine. I then proceeded to tell him about limp wristing, and proper maintence/lube ect cause I noticed that the pistol felt dry.... he said "nope, I just took it out of the box & shot it, a gun should be ready to use once its out of the box".....I saw that he had the instruction book there next to the box & I asked to look at it citing " I just wanted to check something out"....Sure enough, on page 15, pistol must be cleaned & lubricated prior to being shot....

Moral of the story is.....I bet there are more good guns out there than ones that have issues, and that most issues, lay within the guns owners themselves....rant over, have a good day!

 

[NCavi8tor]

Totally amazes me that the only people who have problems with their shield are the ones online when both of my shield 9 & my new shield 40 and a couple people I know in person have perfectly flawless shield's since day one...


Recently I was at the range and overheard a guy standing next to me tell his buddy that his pistol wasnt right & that it needed to be sent back for repair. It kept FTF almost every round....

Out of curiousity I asked to see it, he showed it to me and told me to go ahead & try it.....It was a small cheap Cobra .32, which are known to be finicky when new. I loaded up and shot off all 6 rounds w/o a hitch. Shrugged my shoulders & told him the gun's fine. I then proceeded to tell him about limp wristing, and proper maintence/lube ect cause I noticed that the pistol felt dry.... he said "nope, I just took it out of the box & shot it, a gun should be ready to use once its out of the box".....I saw that he had the instruction book there next to the box & I asked to look at it citing " I just wanted to check something out"....Sure enough, on page 15, pistol must be cleaned & lubricated prior to being shot....

Moral of the story is.....I bet there are more good guns out there than ones that have issues, and that most issues, lay within the guns owners themselves....rant over, have a good day!

Absolutely!!!
NC

 

[b2busy]

Totally amazes me that the only people who have problems with their shield are the ones online when both of my shield 9 & my new shield 40 and a couple people I know in person have perfectly flawless shield's since day one...


Recently I was at the range and overheard a guy standing next to me tell his buddy that his pistol wasnt right & that it needed to be sent back for repair. It kept FTF almost every round....

Out of curiousity I asked to see it, he showed it to me and told me to go ahead & try it.....It was a small cheap Cobra .32, which are known to be finicky when new. I loaded up and shot off all 6 rounds w/o a hitch. Shrugged my shoulders & told him the gun's fine. I then proceeded to tell him about limp wristing, and proper maintence/lube ect cause I noticed that the pistol felt dry.... he said "nope, I just took it out of the box & shot it, a gun should be ready to use once its out of the box".....I saw that he had the instruction book there next to the box & I asked to look at it citing " I just wanted to check something out"....Sure enough, on page 15, pistol must be cleaned & lubricated prior to being shot....

Moral of the story is.....I bet there are more good guns out there than ones that have issues, and that most issues, lay within the guns owners themselves....rant over, have a good day!

I'm so happy that your .40 Shield functions flawlessly, but please don't make assumptions about those that do not.
used low PF rounds like Fiochhi 165 JHP and winchester 165 FMJ white box - functions ok.
used higher PF rounds like UMC 180, Winchester Bonded hollow point Winchester Silvertip .. this is where the problem lies.
I have shot straight out of the box when returned from S&W - it fails to feed.
I have lubricated according to directions - still fails.
I have over lubricated - still fails.
1 handed - fails, two handed - fails.
planted on hard surface - still fails.
it will only function with low PF rounds.
That my friend is a design or manufacturing defect not a used defect.

 

[George9]

First thing you should when you got it back is clean the gun. Next I would let someone else shoot the pistol and see how it runs.. Only use one mag and hot loads.. Make sure you look at and clean the extractor claw.. JUst some things to try.. George

 

[b2busy]

First thing you should when you got it back is clean the gun. Next I would let someone else shoot the pistol and see how it runs.. Only use one mag and hot loads.. Make sure you look at and clean the extractor claw.. JUst some things to try.. George

Did you see the pics posted by A.Christopher? that is exactly what happens.
It seems like you genuinely want to be helpful, so I will ask why the extractor? how would the failure pictured by A.Christopher be caused by the extractor? or anything else other than the timing of the slide recovery? the case has been ejected and usually travels over 10'.