New Shield Plus PC Broke after 5 shots - trigger clicks, striker not fired

[ShallNotBeInfringed]

My brand new Shield Plus PC 3.1" worked for 5 shots then the trigger started clicking instead releasing the sear and letting the striker fire, just like I saw in the only 2023 video review posted on YouTube for the same exact gun. I think their QC must have dropped off a cliff this year.

I have to push the trigger to the right for it to release the sear when the trigger is pulled (I also have use my left hand to push it just-right so it'll fire, and usually I have to pill it all the way to the back now. There is a ton of play to the right in the trigger).

Otherwise it just goes clickity clickity as the trigger bar clicks past the sear without dropping it to release the striker.

I loved it for the first 5 shots - What I'm worried about now is that they'll ruin the performance center "tuned" trigger with a crappy older striker spring unit - Taking it from the 5 pounds or less trigger average it had when I tested it before taking ownership from the FFL (yes I'm that anal about my guns) to something like 6+ pounds. I've heard horror stories like yours about them putting in parts from older shields and and M&P series into the shield plus... And I know I'm definitely not gonna get the special "tuned" trigger that the performance center is supposed to come with (see what they did to the other guys Slide in the video below when it was returned to him).

Before buying the firearm I looked at TONS of reviews, yet there was only one review from the past year that I found and it had the same problem (all other reviews before 2023 were glowing)... And low and behold I purchased the exact same gun (without the flashlight and kit) and had the exact same problem. I thought to myself, there's no way I'll get the exact same problem as the one YouTube video from 2023 , it had to be a fluke negative, but yup.

I created them a link to a video I made of what the gun is doing, and I asked that they please test it thoroughly before sending it back - I don't want to get it back and it work for 10 shots and then stop working. Clearly,l when they tested it before sending it out originally, they didn't fire many shots as if it only took 5 Standard pressure 115 grain rounds to break the gun.

I asent them the both video as a private YouTube video and on a flash drive. I also told them what the trigger pull was gauged at before it broke. But I explained to them I will not make the YouTube video public unless I get the gun back and it's not fixdd or not how it's supposed to be.

Before I make my YouTube video "public"...

here is another gentleman who bought a Shield Plus Perormance Center 3.1 in 2023 and had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM

Shield Plus Performance Center: Introduction & Unfortunate Update - YouTube


Wish me luck!

‐--------------------------

UPDATE 12/2/23:

Gun came back to me just over 2 weeks ago, and it is working flawlessly now. I got the firearm back in just over 3 weeks, VERY IMPRESSED!

And the trigger is gauging at LESS THAN 4 LBS. And I have put over 400 rounds through it now without a SINGLE failure since getting it back. I was waiting to see if anything was going to break again before posting... apparently I didn't need to.

The work report says all they had to do was change the striker. Honestly if thats all they did, then cool. I think it may be the case, because the trigger arm still only makes partial contact with the sear, but more than before somehow - but I think the decreased surface area of contact is reducing the weight if trigger pull. Maybe they replaced the arm too, but whatever was done, it was done right.

The service person on the phone reported that their gunsmith put 3 mags through it before closing the ticket. So I am quite happy now.

Well done Thompson Repair Center - thank you for your fast and excellent work repairng my Smith & Wesson!

I hope others have my same luck with their gun's repairs in the future - or I hope thay they at least get the technician that worked on my gun - as he clearly did his job well.

Maybe everyone should consider including a private link to a YouTube video helping to show the problem, and also just do like I did: tell them that the video is private, and that you wouldn't post a public video before giving a company a chance to repair it.

 

[Well Armed]

S&W's QC has been **** for a while now. I too have different issues with my Shield Plus. Before that, a new 45 Shield had the RSA bust apart broken without even 50 rounds through it yet.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Uh, welcome to the forum? Although I get the feeling you didn't join to be part of the community.

 

[Autonomous]

I hope the OP stays around.
I for one joined because two brand new S&Ws I bought had to go back for repairs immediately.

OP, contact S&W and have them arrange shipment back to the factory for repairs. They will cover shipping both ways.
This the only way we have of getting the bean counters attention.
Let us know how it turns out.

 

[ShallNotBeInfringed]

Its already en-route to them as of yesterday to the Thomson repair center- do you mean literally "to the factory"? Will they actually do that so that it gets actual FACTORY parts? I really want the correct parts and quality that I paid for.

 

[ShallNotBeInfringed]

S&W's QC has been **** for a while now. I too have different issues with my Shield Plus. Before that, a new 45 Shield had the RSA bust apart broken without even 50 rounds through it yet.

When you got it back, was it in good working order like when it was new?

 

[LVSteve]

That linked video makes ugly viewing.

 

[gunny4053]

I had to read this a couple times, and while I agree it really sucks to have a new purchase break like this, I feel your method of getting what you expect to be going in the wrong direction.

First, stories about S&W putting old parts in new guns are just that, stories. Second, sending a video to show what the gun is doing is good. Threatening to release it on-line if you don't get exactly what you want is tantamount to blackmail. Not exactly the best way to endear yourself to someone you expect to provide their best effort when taking care of you.

A little courtesy may have gotten you a new gun with a little extra attention paid to the trigger and other details. With other companies, your gun may have been thrown in the junk bin and a refund check with a note saying they obviously can't make you happy so here's your money back would be the end result. Fortunately, S&W is better than that and will take care of you.

Good luck.

 

[Well Armed]

When you got it back, was it in good working order like when it was new?

I haven't sent the Plus in. It's been sitting for a year or more now. It's not a carry gun for me as I have others that I like better. I contacted S&W, was told to ship it, but I never got around to it. With the recoil assembly for the Shield 45, they shipped me a new one free of charge.

That said, I've heard a lot of stories whether it be their revolvers or pistols of S&W claiming things were in spec, not an issue, or they said they fixed the issue but really didn't. It's a crapshoot.

 

[Autonomous]

Its already en-route to them as of yesterday to the Thomson repair center- do you mean literally "to the factory"? Will they actually do that so that it gets actual FACTORY parts? I really want the correct parts and quality that I paid for.

The factory, the company, whatever.
Take a breath and give them an opportunity to fix it.

 

[CouchPotato]

Your original theory about a trigger bar problem was probably correct. They've got a few repair techs who apparently are incompetent.

My problem was very similar. I also had to send mine in twice. Upon getting their shipping notification by email the second time, I called them to see what they did and when they told me that they replaced the firing pin and striker, I made them pull it from their shipping area and send it back into service.

When they got mad and hung up on me, I just called back. When they yelled at me, I just called back. Be relentless if necessary.

Now that you've sent it back to them, keep calling and following up, at least every week. Get a supervisor involved and make them expedite the repair of your gun.

They've got a few bad apples in customer service so be sure to take a note of the name of who you're talking to and then call right back if you're not satisfied with the outcome of the previous call.

Threats of outing them online won't help, in fact (generally speaking) that kind of stuff will make the employees of almost any company want to help you less.

 

[Well Armed]

Your original theory about a trigger bar problem was probably correct. They've got a few repair techs who apparently are incompetent.

My problem was very similar. I also had to send mine in twice. Upon getting their shipping notification by email the second time, I called them to see what they did and when they told me that they replaced the firing pin and striker, I made them pull it from their shipping area and send it back into service.

When they got mad and hung up on me, I just called back. When they yelled at me, I just called back. Be relentless if necessary.

Now that you've sent it back to them, keep calling and following up, at least every week. Get a supervisor involved and make them expedite the repair of your gun.

They've got a few bad apples in customer service so be sure to take a note of the name of who you're talking to and then call right back if you're not satisfied with the outcome of the previous call.

Threats of outing them online won't help, in fact (generally speaking) that kind of stuff will make the employees of almost any company want to help you less.

That sounds similar to the majority of S&W warranty experiences.

 

[CouchPotato]

That sounds similar to the majority of S&W warranty experiences.

I'm a shareholder of S&W now and I'm wondering how much S&W has to destroy the reputation of their brand before other shareholders believe that executive leadership is breaching their fiduciary obligations to shareholders.

 

[Well Armed]

I'm a shareholder of S&W now and I'm wondering how much S&W has to destroy the reputation of their brand before other shareholders believe that executive leadership is breaching their fiduciary obligations to shareholders.

They're no different than Taurus, Beretta, Sig, abd a lot of other manufacturers nowadays. They're pushing out hundreds of thousands to over a million firearms annually. People are still buying despite the drop in QC and CS. They aren't going to change or care until sales drop.

You also have brand loyalists who will downplay, rationalize, make excuses, and will look the other way because they're fanboys. I don't see things getting any better anytime soon.

 

[TM44]

Black mailing them is not a way to win friends and influence people.

 

[gusui77]

Extortion - inconsistent with mature gun ownership. Some people should have triggers that don’t work.

 

[Gman556]

I can understand OP's frustration, but unless something is out of spec, and if it's safely fixable I would do the repair myself rather then sending it in and waiting 3-6 months. If you're not that mechanically inclined or confident enough to do the work yourself then yeah I would definitely send it back in and suffer the long wait.

These, Glocks,XD's,Sigs ect: are the easiest ones to work on.

As for the video link OP left. That guy sounds like a tarded Karen, and is making a mountain out of a molehill.

For cripes sake it's $600 gun.

M&P's are not safe Queens.

If this were a decent or high end 1911 then yeah, I would be pissed too.

The gun people who are usually worried about cosmetics and little tiny flaws are the ones who probably shoot their guns maybe once a year. These are the guys I see at the range all the time that hit the feet or legs on the target stands from 10 yards away.

 

[Well Armed]

I can understand OP's frustration, but unless something is out of spec, and if it's safely fixable I would do the repair myself rather then sending it in and waiting 3-6 months. If you're not that mechanically inclined or confident enough to do the work yourself then yeah I would definitely send it back in and suffer the long wait.

These, Glocks,XD's,Sigs ect: are the easiest ones to work on.

As for the video link OP left. That guy sounds like a tarded Karen, and is making a mountain out of a molehill.

For cripes sake it's $600 gun.

M&P's are not safe Queens.

If this were a decent or high end 1911 then yeah, I would be pissed too.

The gun people who are usually worried about cosmetics and little tiny flaws are the ones who probably shoot their guns maybe once a year. These are the guys I see at the range all the time that hit the feet or legs on the target stands from 10 yards away.

People like to get what they paid for in the condition they were promised and expected it would be in. They want to be the one who puts wear on the item they spent their hard earned money on. $600 is still a lot of money for many to spend. That's 30 hours or more after taxes of time forever gone out of people's lives that's being used to buy a $600 gun. I don't understand the point in putting down people and gun owners for having standards and expecting good QC.

Me personally, my carry gun get carried and shot, but I STILL take pride in keeping it looking in as great of condition as possible.

 

[Gman556]

People like to get what they paid for in the condition they were promised and expected it would be in. They want to be the one who puts wear on the item they spent their hard earned money on. $600 is still a lot of money for many to spend. That's 30 hours or more after taxes of time forever gone out of people's lives that's being used to buy a $600 gun. I don't understand the point in putting down people and gun owners for having standards and expecting good QC.

Me personally, my carry gun get carried and shot, but I STILL take pride in keeping it looking in as great of condition as possible.

I didn't put anyone down, I just stated a reality. Truly sorry if I hurt anybody's feelings here.

Nothing wrong in taking some pride in how you take care of your firearms and like them in good condition cosmetically. If I get a good scratch or gouge and something, yeah I'm gonna be bummed, but it is what it is and I'm just gonna keep using it.

Like I said I don't blame the OP. I still stick to my statement that I think that guy in the video is a Karen tard. That's just me, and that's my opinion.

 

[Equus]

I didn't put anyone down, I just stated a reality. Truly sorry if I hurt anybody's feelings here.

Nothing wrong in taking some pride in how you take care of your firearms and like them in good condition cosmetically. If I get a good scratch or gouge and something, yeah I'm gonna be bummed, but it is what it is and I'm just gonna keep using it.

Like I said I don't blame the OP. I still stick to my statement that I think that guy in the video is a Karen tard. That's just me, and that's my opinion.

That’s the impression I got from the dude in video as well. And to be honest, OP joined this forum to run down S&W, not to learn or seek advice on how to proceed getting the problem fixed. Just the extortion aspect makes me come to the conclusion that he should probably stick to a pocket knife for protection.

98% of firearms issues are usually operator head space and timing.