New Shield Trigger is Unacceptable!

[fegves2id]

I am an avid shooter and firearm enthusiast. You name it, I've probably shot it or owned it.

Recently, some of my co-workers have started carrying the M&P Shield both off duty and as backup on duty. I own a .380 bodyguard and love it.

I borrowed and shot 3 different shields, and was very impressed with all 3. The triggers all broke clean/crisp and the slide was smooth when cycled manually.

- The Glock style trigger safety catches against the frame if I pull too high up on the trigger. It is bad.

- Once I get the trigger to the break point, it is so ridiculously heavy/messy that I can't keep the gun stable when the trigger breaks. In short, it is the worst trigger I have every experienced on a gun I have purchased.

- When cycling the slide manually, as it gets near being fully rearward, I feel gritty snags. This does not concern me much as long as the firearm feeds well, but makes me wonder if it is normal.

I would have been happy if this shield was as good or close to as good as the other 3 that I shot. Mine is just ridiculously unacceptable with it's current trigger.

Question: Should I spring for the cost of APEX stuff and pay for gunsmithing, or should I attempt to work with the manufacturer to make the trigger acceptable? Any experienced user's recommendation would be welcome.

 

[ATF]

I'd say it's probably because it's new. Put 500 rounds through it and see where you are then. The APEX kit will definitely be an upgrade but I'd shoot it first.

 

[Engine 21]

^^^^^^^^^^This - put some through the pipe & then evaluate.

 

[wepiii]

Is it possible you were sold the MA compliant version somehow?

 

[MichiganScott]

Shoot it first, then call S&W. It sounds like a defect. Tolerance stack happens.

I'm curious about what your department's armorer and administrative types would say about you carrying a pistol on duty with non-factory modifications.

 

[USMCshooter]

Mine at 1000 rnds or so is the best trigger of my carry weapons. Sorry to hear yours is so unsat. As other have said, I'd advise getting more break-in on it and see if it improves before modding it. There are certainly options for modding, but mine has proven them unneeded for a carry piece for me.

 

[macski222]

- The Glock style trigger safety catches against the frame if I pull too high up on the trigger. It is bad.

- Once I get the trigger to the break point, it is so ridiculously heavy/messy that I can't keep the gun stable when the trigger breaks. In short, it is the worst trigger I have every experienced on a gun I have purchased.

- When cycling the slide manually, as it gets near being fully rearward, I feel gritty snags. This does not concern me much as long as the firearm feeds well, but makes me wonder if it is normal.

1. I'm not sure how high you are on the trigger when pulling, but it sounds like the trigger safety is working as intended.

2. Sounds like a MA compliant trigger, but I doubt you have a MA compliant gun, because you must have the hideous round in chamber indicator that pops up, living in CA. My trigger was awful out of the box, but it was about 12lbs.

3. As far as cycling the slide manually, it's pretty rough at first. You never said how many rounds you had through it, but it will loosen up after a couple hundred. I'm betting you're trigger will improve as well.

My .02, put some rounds downrange. If you're truly unhappy and your issues haven't resolved themselves, contact smith. Who knows, the gun could be out of spec. These things are pretty tight from factory though, so I'd run it through its paces before you make any decisions. Lastly, short of any major issues with the trigger, and it sounds like it's the pretty normal m&p grit... I don't think smith will do anything on their dime. If you aren't satisfied with it, go for the apex. I did and I have no regrets.

 

[CaptRon956]

I borrowed and shot 3 different shields, and was very impressed with all 3. The triggers all broke clean/crisp and the slide was smooth when cycled manually.

If you want your pistol to be just as smooth, then go out to the range & put some lead thru it... As an advid shooter then you should know that all pistols are going to need a good cleaning before shooting for the first time and you should also know that smaller compact pistols will have a stiffer recoil spring, it will take time before it starts to loosen up, around 500-600 rounds at least. Give freedom munitions a call, I think they have a cyber sale on 115 gr. 9mm right now


The trigger on my Shield 9 started to feel noticably better after about 800 rounds and a very thorough cleaning with M pro-7 & a small toothbrush inside the pistol frame & trigger mechanism.

 

[Iwant2shootlikehickock45]

Agree w/others give it some time. I guess I got lucky my trigger is a dream right out of the box

 

[Rdgallo]

I have 500+ rounds through mine and the trigger still is unacceptable. Thinking about buying the new Ruger LC9S. Hope your trigger gets better.

 

[howiema]

I am sure tha MA and CA versions are the same, yup 10lb trigger put the kit in and then tell us how nice it is.

Pete

 

[Horn]

I am an avid shooter and firearm enthusiast. You name it, I've probably shot it or owned it.

Recently, some of my co-workers have started carrying the M&P Shield both off duty and as backup on duty. I own a .380 bodyguard and love it.

I borrowed and shot 3 different shields, and was very impressed with all 3. The triggers all broke clean/crisp and the slide was smooth when cycled manually.

- The Glock style trigger safety catches against the frame if I pull too high up on the trigger. It is bad.

- Once I get the trigger to the break point, it is so ridiculously heavy/messy that I can't keep the gun stable when the trigger breaks. In short, it is the worst trigger I have every experienced on a gun I have purchased.

- When cycling the slide manually, as it gets near being fully rearward, I feel gritty snags. This does not concern me much as long as the firearm feeds well, but makes me wonder if it is normal.

I would have been happy if this shield was as good or close to as good as the other 3 that I shot. Mine is just ridiculously unacceptable with it's current trigger.

Question: Should I spring for the cost of APEX stuff and pay for gunsmithing, or should I attempt to work with the manufacturer to make the trigger acceptable? Any experienced user's recommendation would be welcome.

S&W customer service will correct it. If you're still experiencing the same issues call (don't e-mail) again and request a replacement Shield. They're likely to do it. (My experience with them)
Semper Fi
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-- George Orwell

 

[Horn]

Handled It Today

I have 500+ rounds through mine and the trigger still is unacceptable. Thinking about buying the new Ruger LC9S. Hope your trigger gets better.

I was at a gun shop this morning. After taking care of the business I was in there for I checked out one of those Rugers.
I was more than impressed. The trigger felt like it was less than
five pounds after the seemingly long very smooth take up. I'd
prefer the pro model (without the manual safety) since none of
my pistols have one. (You won't release it if stressed)
No one can fault Ruger quality. Again, that pistol was impressive.
Good luck.
P.S. I have two Shields and they're perfect. I also have a Glock 26 Gen 4. Its the AK47 of pistols__ugly, fat, rough and shoots every time.
Good luck

 

[mccollom405]

My .40 Shield has 250 rounds through it and still has crazy hard trigger pull. I read through the papers several times and never found a stat sheet. Then I found on the box label.
10Lbs trigg! That's why! So Did I get a Massachusetts gun and what should I do? Call S&W or Apex trigger job? I bought it new from a prepper store in town.

 

[BobGay]

i found the trigger so gritty i had to take it apart to make sure there was no sand in it. I then sent for the apex kit and that resolved the problem. I was really disappointed that S&W would let it out the door like that. I'd rather pay 50 bucks and let them do it right

 

[RobzGuns]

10Lbs trigg! That's why! So Did I get a Massachusetts gun and what should I do? Call S&W or Apex trigger job? I bought it new from a prepper store in town.

Bummer!!
Confirm on the S&W site that the SKU you have is that of the MASS compliant Shield40, then inform the store of the mistake and ask the Store you bought it from if they knew it was a Mass Compliant Shield and can they make it right (or to pick up the tab for an Apex kit and install).

Since you've already shot it, they probably won't swap it out (since it is now "used"). Depending on how Non-Interested they are (and how your initial attitude is), they may ask why you didn't specify which model you wanted (or ask why you didn't try [dry fire] the trigger) before buying... But at least give them the opportunity to make it right.

If they won't help resolve the situation, you can always get an Apex kit... Heck... you may have already been thinking about doing a trigger job anyway, so at least now you have a real reason for buying the kit.

i found the trigger so gritty i had to take it apart to make sure there was no sand in it. I then sent for the apex kit and that resolved the problem. I was really disappointed that S&W would let it out the door like that. I'd rather pay 50 bucks and let them do it right

Bob... you could have saved a few bucks and done the DIY 'Burwell Trigger Job' to take the grittiness out.
http://www.burwellguns.com/M&Ptriggerjob1.htm

 

[mccollom405]

When I get back from work I will look you the # on the sight and make sure. It's our first brand new gun purchase. So many people love the gun we rented one and loved it too. The one we bought isn't loved right now lol . A week later I got the Compact model too. It shoots like a dream.

 

[Trons]

I'm going to chime in here. I am not a gun guy. I currently own 2. A S&W M&P .22(FS) and a Shield 9mm. The Shield was my second gun and purchased after shooting several guns from a friend and getting my CCDW.

My slide was difficult to work and my trigger was a little gritty. over 1000 rounds later, my Glock loving friend loves shooting my Shield. And that's saying something. After about 500 rounds, everything started loosening up. Now it's a dream.

 

[ranvette]

I just bought a Mass compliant shield.The trigger is 10.5 lb.To be honest it dont feel to bad to me but i have very strong hands do to my job.A mechanic !!!!! Although from what i gather you can just get another M&P spring and it goes down to 5 or 6 lb pull. Anybody do that with good results? not sure i even want to play with it. But it looks like the spring is only a few bucks.Easy to put in?

 

[Saudade]

As others have suggested, you need to go shoot it more.

Shields seem to be very stiff when new, almost to the point of ridiculous. Mine was no exception. However, after a couple of hundred rounds, it has loosened up quite a bit. I expect it to improve further.

I see the badge on your profile. Are you an active LEO? If so, is your Shield the non-CA version?