New Shield Questions

[hi-power man]

UPDATE - Post 17

I decided to buy a Shield 9 mm w/o safety. Went to a LGS and found they had two in stock, both in the storeroom still wrapped from the factory. The clerk brings out the first, opens the box, checks for contents and takes the pistol out. He cycles the slide a couple times but it would not return to battery with out an extra push to close the last 1/2-3/4 inch. He gives it a few quick cycles and then tries from slide lock but it still does not close. He puts the it back in the box and goes back to the storeroom. He returns with the second unit, still as wrapped from the factory. Same process and again the slide will not close into battery. He tries several cycles and releases from slide lock but no go. He puts the pistol back in the box and tells me he needs to talk to the owner, there might be a problem with the units. I should check back.

I say the units sound really rough could it be they are dry ? Do shields like to be wet or dry ? He does not know, but they should be good from the factory. Can we field strip one, oil it and try again ? No, he wants to talk to the owner before he sells one.

Will Shield experienced forum members please share you experience with me:

Do Shields like to be wet or dry or as I would say correctly oiled ?

Are they rough sounding when new, I'm thinking they need some oil or grease in the rails during a break in to smooth out.

It looks like the barrel locks into the slide when in battery. I'm thinking a crisp edge on the front of the barrel hood / lock block might inhibit the close, but the spring assembly must be adequate to overcome this ?

 

[robkarrob]

Something is wrong. Either the recoil spring is causing the issue or the gun is defective. It should easily return to battery, especially when empty. This is the first post I have read of this particular issue, unless it is a poorly aligned recoil spring.

Bob

 

[71velle]

if it would not return to battery on its own I would wonder too.

 

[Rastoff]

No, the Shield shouldn't sound "rough" even if there is no lubrication. The M&P line has a good design that does not rely on critically close tolerances. Therefore, it should work OK even with no lubrication though I don't recommend it.

There could be several causes of the issue you saw:

• It is possible to install the recoil spring incorrectly.
• There could be a burr on the slide.
• The barrel could be getting hung on the slide as you said.

There could be many more causes. I would field strip the gun and reassemble before I drew any conclusions.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Unless "operator error" has crept in, which does not seem apparent from your description, letting the slide slam shut from slide lock should close the slide all the way.

If, on the other hand, the gun shop guy is riding the slide, we have had many posts concerning the need to bump the slide a bit to close it. I am not sure how many of those involve loaded weapons versus unloaded weapons.

Something certainly does not sound right.

 

[bob98366]

Had no such issues with my Shield 9 or two other S&W semiautos. I think the clerk was correct to have the shop owner brought in. Why risk your money without knowing? Get one that works correctly out of the box.

As for lube, no metal likes to be dry when sliding against other metal. I use a light coating of gun grease on metal to metal surfaces. Others prefer oil or some exotic lube solution. YMMV. None of mine has ever failed to operate properly with light gun grease (4,000+ rounds total).

 

[Jaysq]

My Shield was pretty wet with oil when I unwrapped it.

 

[hoc9sw]

My Shield 9 had similar issues, and went back more than once. A barrel replacement, with some unspecified adjustments resolved it.

 

[John R]

I think the only defective thing here is the store clerk.

 

[shotguntom]

did you attempt this or only the store clerk? If you havent tried it, I think the clerk may be the issue. JMHO

 

[hi-power man]

Thanks for the input. I plan to go back to the shop on Friday. The owner will be back. I did not get to handle either unit. The fellow that owns this shop is a detailed and knowledgeable. They always check each firearm out of the box.

 

[Saudade]

If you ride the slide forward with the mag inserted, it may not likely close completely without the extra push. Many have noted this (me too).

However if you release the slide from lock and let it fly, it should certainly go into battery.

After a few 100 rounds, mine has "loosened up" and always goes into battery. Full mag, empty mag, no mag.

 

[hoc9sw]

The clerk seems to be following the best path - be sure it works right before he creates an angry customer. It took several months and several trips back to the factory before mine worked right. It does now, and I'm happy with it, but early on, I would have sold it.

If the clerk is wrong, and there is nothing amiss, he might get grief from the owner, but in my business world, he would be "written up" for putting the customer first. That would be a good thing.

 

[Rpg]

OP: you had a unique experience in finding a very good sales person who knew enough to spot a problem and not be willing to sell it to you.

Unfortunately, quality control is problematic and more than a few of these leave S&W with problems.

 

[johnmik1]

My Shield was pretty wet with oil when I unwrapped it.

Mine was also very wet when delivered.They suggest a cleaning before you first shoot the Shield.I just apply gun oil to the required spots and have had no issues.

 

[hi-power man]

I made it to the LGS but have been slow in getting back here. The owner is sure the barrel lug is impacting the slide when closing and retarding the closure on one unit, might be the same for the second. He said S&W is closed for the holidays so he will call them when they reopen. He has my name and will call me after he speaks with them.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[hi-power man]

This morning the LGS owner called me and said he had two Shields w/o safeties. I told him I'd be there around noon. When I went to the shop, I found the two he received were from his distributor. The original two mentioned earlier in this thread were returned to S&W and are still there. He told me he checked them both over and they look good to him. So, I now own a Shield 9mm. Sorry no photo, but I think they all look the same. I'll have time tomorrow to do a clean and oil, then plan to go to the range on Saturday. I'm looking forward to this unit being a good performer.

 

[TJHuxley]

Congrats. Finally ehhhh!? Sounds like an LGS run well but I too may have become a bit restless. Settling on getting a new gun then experiencing delays for not finding one, losing bids, or as your experience was sort of tests the will. Hopefully you will not have to spend time apart from your Shield (as in a factory return) now that it is yours. Mine never had any issues and is from fairly early production. Let us know about your first range trip.