Newbie Question

[gbavero1023]

Took my new Shield to the range and fired 200 rounds of 115 grain target ammo (Remington, American Eagle, Herters & CCI,) and 20 rounds of Sig self defense 115 grain. I had one failure to eject with an American Eagle round, but here is my question.
Out of 31 fully loaded magazines I had a situation on three early occasions where once I pressed the trigger, no bang bang. I released the trigger and then we were good to go with the gun firing. Was there something I was doing wrong?
I did not clean the gun before firing today, but of course cleaned it once I got home earlier and will fire 100 more rounds tomorrow.

 

[Bob O]

We're you allowing the trigger to reset completely during those times? You'll know when it resets as there will be an audible and felt "click" from the trigger.

 

[gbavero1023]

On all three occasions I loaded a full magazine into the gun and released the slide, so the first shot would be the problem. I did not have any problems during rounds 2-7.

 

[ShieldUser]

If the slide doesn't return fully to original position, pulling the trigger let's the trigger go forward, but no "bang"

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

On all three occasions I loaded a full magazine into the gun and released the slide, so the first shot would be the problem. I did not have any problems during rounds 2-7.

My guess is that you were riding the slide forward. This allowed the slide to stick slightly out of battery and cycling the trigger prompted the slide to slip into position.

 

[gbavero1023]

Yes, after talking to my dad, I was riding the slide forward. In the future, just pull and release.

 

[martybee]

Yes, after talking to my dad, I was riding the slide forward. In the future, just pull and release.

Common fault with many shooters, myself included!
The slide is hard to release when a new loaded mag is inserted.
Being careful to keep the gun pointed down range and fearing a pre-mature firing when the slide slingshots and loads the first round, we tend to "ride the slide". This is especially true with very hard to rack auto loaders like the Shield.

mb

 

[gbavero1023]

Yes, the gun is always pointed down range. Years ago I had a Beretta 92FS and I loved the slide release on that gun, but the Shield does not; slide stop instead.
Might buy a pair of Mechanix Gloves to see how it feels to shoot with gloves on and to increase my grip on the slide.

 

[Magload]

It is not a target gun and I would hate to have to stop and but one on in a SD situation. It does get easier but I am not sure if it's the gun or just me learning to use it. My second Shield was easy to use right out of the box after using the first one for a year. Even loading the mags I seldom use my loader anymore.

 

[gbavero1023]

Fired 113 rounds through it today and had zero issues, plus wearing gloves was a pleasant surprise.