Premature slide lock back on Shield 45

[TimBT]

Hello all, new to this forum -- looks like a great resource! I have put about 300 rounds of FMJ 230 grain ammo through my new 45 Shield, and have had the slide lock back prematurely 3 times (where there are still rounds in the magazine). That's only 1% of the time, but enough to give me pause about using as an EDC.

I can confirm it's not my thumb hitting the release lever as I always lock my thumbs down when firing. I called S&W and was surprised to hear them say that they recommend using 185 grain bullets, not 230 grain, in the Shield – which seems to seriously limit the gun. They offered to look at it, but said they didn't think they would find anything.

Has anybody else experienced the premature lock back issue with the 45 Shield? And if so any fixes – beside using lighter rounds? Seems like a stronger slide stop lever spring would do it, but I haven't been able to find any.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. If this continues, I will likely feel the need to get something else, which would be a shame since I really like the 45 Shield in every other way.

 

[msjdgman]

If you are using factory ammo, maybe check a few different brands. The 230gr fmj nose profile doesn't change too much between brands, but perhaps the brand you are using has a profile that engages the slide stop where others might not. There is NOT much leeway for clearances here. I've shot only my 230 gr reloads of Berrys RN plated, and they work perfectly, but I have to watch real carefully even loading the mags. Anyway...just a thought.

 

[TimBT]

Thanks msjdgman, have tried three different types of 230 gr ammo and I think it happened with more than just one brand.

Does the S&W recommendation to use the 185 gr in the Shield 45 (not 230 gr) strike anybody as an odd solution? Seems kind of limiting, especially when the the 230 gr weight is the standard.

Thoughts?

 

[msjdgman]

I am a little bit surprised that a CS rep said that S&W recommends against the 230 gr fmj. No where in the manual does it state that. Like I mentioned, I have not had an issue, but I would not be pleased with limitations on the ammo. If it were mine I'd send it back...it could be a simple matter of the slide stop itself being slightly out of spec.

 

[kannonvaggon]

Possibly a magazine or stop issue. The pistol should function perfectly with 230G ammo. Make SURE you tap the rounds all the way to the rear of the magazine or the nose MIGHT hang up. Work the mags get them freed up a bit also. Any CS rep that said that is mistaken. If you keep having problems send it back and they'll make it right. This crops up now and then but is not common.

 

[TimBT]

Yes, it surprised me too msjdgman. What they said was 230 gr was the maximum for the gun, but that 185 was recommended (in order to resolve the issue I was reporting). So technically, they didn't recommend against 230 gr, but that is the net effect. Feels like there is more to the story to me.

 

[andyo5]

Usually, premature lock back is caused buy the nose of round nosed ammo (usually 230g) hitting the slide release and forcing it upwards into the 'lock open' position. It is the top round in the magazine that does this, and can happen on any of the rounds in the magazine as the round moves up in the stack. You might try assuring that all rounds are properly seated in the back of the magazine. But it may be that your particular gun has a habit of doing this.
If other owners of similar guns don't have this problem, then modification of the slide stop may eliminate it.

 

[TimBT]

Possibly a magazine or stop issue. The pistol should function perfectly with 230G ammo. Make SURE you tap the rounds all the way to the rear of the magazine or the nose MIGHT hang up. Work the mags get them freed up a bit also. Any CS rep that said that is mistaken. If you keep having problems send it back and they'll make it right. This crops up now and then but is not common.

Thanks -- agreed on all fronts. I appreciate the input.

 

[datachk]

45 Shield slide lockback on partially loaded mag

I experienced the same problem with my new 45 Shield using both range and HST 230 gr ammo. The S&W rep simply asked me to return the weapon to them for examination and repair. It's still at the factory so I don't know what they will do to correct the issue but I have heard from others they will most likely will replace the slide lock assembly and possibly the barrel (improved feed ramp).

 

[TimBT]

Thanks datachk. How frequent was your issue? And how long did they tell you it would be at S&W?

 

[Bonephish]

Mine was at the factory twice, three weeks each time. First time they replaced the slide lock, second time the barrel locking block. Now she runs flawlessly and eats all types and brands of ammo.

...P.S., a free magazine was in the box when I got it back from S&W.

 

[datachk]

Thanks datachk. How frequent was your issue? And how long did they tell you it would be at S&W?

I shot close to 300 rounds on two trips to the range and had the slide lock-back on a partially loaded mag issue occur about every other mag using both the 6 and 7 round factory mags. I didn't ask the S&W rep how long it would take to get the weapon back but I have heard around three weeks turnaround. Hope mine gets fixed the first time and I don't have to send it back a second time.

 

[TimBT]

Hope so too! Please let us know how it turns out (i.e., how long it takes, the work done, and most importantly, is it working any better?)

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Another possible cause: be sure you're thumb isn't pushing against the slide stop while firing. Some shooter's grip cause the problem...

 

[TimBT]

I've heard that too, but I can confirm I have my thumbs locked down when shooting.