Problems with new S&W M&P Shield 9mm

[wlg]

Remington -Failed to extract and the next round tried to load.
Federal - Fail to eject.
Winchester white box - Fail to eject.

I am very happy for all the folks out there that got a good one (Shield). Could be I am wrong but the Shield should be able to shoot any of the three reliably. I figure someone will say it needs another 500 rounds to break it in? Shooting $200 dollars' worth of ammo through a gun to see if is reliable is silly. At this point I am getting a little frustrated to say the least with S&W. I called my gun dealer, he said two other guys brought there Shields back with the same issues this week. He is sending a letter to S&W. I am beginning to think S&W has a real problem on their hands? I am going to be persistent and call them and keep sending it back till they get it right.

 

[DeeBee]

Remington -Failed to extract and the next round tried to load.
Federal - Fail to eject.
Winchester white box - Fail to eject.

I am very happy for all the folks out there that got a good one (Shield). Could be I am wrong but the Shield should be able to shoot any of the three reliably. I figure someone will say it needs another 500 rounds to break it in? Shooting $200 dollars' worth of ammo through a gun to see if is reliable is silly. At this point I am getting a little frustrated to say the least with S&W. I called my gun dealer, he said two other guys brought there Shields back with the same issues this week. He is sending a letter to S&W. I am beginning to think S&W has a real problem on their hands? I am going to be persistent and call them and keep sending it back till they get it right.

Send it back, and request a new gun. I think that's the only thing that may fix it. S&W obviously, doesn't know what the problem is..

 

[Rastoff]

Remington -Failed to extract and the next round tried to load.
Federal - Fail to eject.
Winchester white box - Fail to eject.

I am very happy for all the folks out there that got a good one (Shield). Could be I am wrong but the Shield should be able to shoot any of the three reliably. I figure someone will say it needs another 500 rounds to break it in? Shooting $200 dollars' worth of ammo through a gun to see if is reliable is silly. At this point I am getting a little frustrated to say the least with S&W. I called my gun dealer, he said two other guys brought there Shields back with the same issues this week. He is sending a letter to S&W. I am beginning to think S&W has a real problem on their hands? I am going to be persistent and call them and keep sending it back till they get it right.

I would be frustrated too. The gun should shoot all those brands of ammo right out of the box. You are right to keep sending it back until it gets fixed.

I had a problem with a SW1911. I sent it in twice and still had the problem. Rather than send it in a third time, S&W offered me a full refund which I gladly accepted. I have nothing against S&W. They were great and I really liked the gun. I would still consider another. I think I just got a lemon.

 

[Rastoff]

A note on ammunition:
Many people say that when a gun malfunctions it could be the ammo. That may be true, but it shouldn't be. For example, my Sig Sauer 1911-22 has this note in the manual:

The Sig Sauer 1911-22 pistol is designed to function with 22 Long Rifle High Velocity ammunition only.

So, if I don't use High Velocity ammunition in my 1911-22, I can't complain because I didn't follow the manufacturer's instructions.

The M&P has no such statement in its manual. Therefore, it should work with any brand as long as it is the correct caliber.

 

[Ed911]

If I took my EDC to the range, and it didn't shoot and function correctly every time, I'd be finding a new EDC. No one can afford to experience a stoppage in a gunfight...or other life threatening situation requiring lethal force.

Get a new gun...or get another brand that shoots like it should.

Guns shouldn't be made to such exacting tolerances that they have to be broken in...aka...rubbing the parts together until they develop the proper clearances, or wear off sharp edges. This should all be taken care of at the factory.

Look at the AK47...loose and reliable and made to purpose. It's never going to win any accuracy contests, but it sure does what it's supposed to do...squirt out rounds. Selfdefense guns should be made to similar specs. Of course, then the range junkies would rag them to death about groupings at 25 yards when most gun fights take place at less than three yards. There would be endless discussions on factory tolerances being too loose...and after market products being made to better specs...and what was the OEM thinking...and on and on.

One question. What did the cartridge cases look like after ejection. I had an AMT backup that had a lot of extraction issues. After looking at the cases, I discovered that they were scuffed up. It turned out that the chamber hadn't been properly finished. It went back to the factory where they polished the chamber, and that fixed that. BTW, if you get a chance to buy an AMT back up, don't.

Anyways, that's my two cents. I hope you get a dependable gun. Or, find a dependable ammo.

Thanks for posting.















But, that's just me.

 

[DeeBee]

When, I sent mine back for these same problems, I asked them to replace the Slide, barrel and ejector. I do really believe it is a combination, of the breechface cut and the barrel chamber tolerances.
The funny thing is, I know it will come back saying they replaced the extractor. If I go out to the range and it is not fixed,I will be extremely pissed! Let S&W put 200 or more rounds through it before they send it back. Why should I have to go to the range and spend $75 to "test" their work??

 

[wlg]

Well, I sent it back to them again. I am going to keep on sending it back until they give me a new gun or refund or get this one working right!!

 

[catalyst686]

I had the same issues as you with various types of ammo. I just got it back from S&W for the second time. The first time they replaced the barrel and recoil rod. This time they replaced the extractor and the extractor spring. I haven't had a chance to get to the range yet. Hopefully it works this time.

 

[LSP 972]

At this point, I'm not sure what to believe/think.

.

Neither me. I have one in 9mm, it hasn't choked in just over 1000 rounds, but there's too many experienced people with issues to turn a blind eye, or blame it on the ammunition, limp-wristing, etc.

Like the guy in this thread:

REVIEW: SW M&P Shield 9mm, w/ Range Results


Like you, I REALLY want to like the gun, and carry it. But I'm still on the fence. I will work with it some more, but unless this FTE issue is isolated, I'll always wonder...

.

 

[highaltitude]

The Shield is a good gun and reliable. At least mine is so far... However, my observation with all these issues is with the huge demand over the past year, S&W clearly had to ramp up production and it's possible that QC dropped a bit in the process. Glock has the same issues. If you get the gun back a 2nd time and it's not fixed, then (if it were me), I would be requesting a new gun.

 

[Edmo]

The Shield 9mm is the first S&W auto I've purchased and it has been a shooter. I've put hundreds of rounds through my Shield and have had no issues at all...

I guess I've been lucky with autos of all brands. I also own numerous GLOCKs including Generation 2, 3, and 4 models and I've never had any problems there either. In 18 years of shooting them I have not seen one do the "brass-to-face" ejection I keep hearing about. In fact, I've yet to witness one malfunction.

Again, I guess I'm lucky.

Edmo

 

[jeffnles1]

The Shield 9mm is the first S&W auto I've purchased and it has been a shooter. I've put hundreds of rounds through my Shield and have had no issues at all...

I guess I've been lucky with autos of all brands. I also own numerous GLOCKs including Generation 2, 3, and 4 models and I've never had any problems there either. In 18 years of shooting them I have not seen one do the "brass-to-face" ejection I keep hearing about. In fact, I've yet to witness one malfunction.

Again, I guess I'm lucky.

Edmo

I don't think luck has a thing to do with it. Just like the overwhelming majority of modern automobiles run trouble free for over 100,000 miles with the occasional "lemon" the overwhelming majority of modern firearms run trouble free for thousands of rounds with the occasional "lemon".

On internet forums, I thin there are 3 general types of people frequenting the sites:
1) gun guys (and gals) who just love to chat about firearms.
2) Researchers - people thinking about buying XYZ firearm
3) People with Problems -

The 3rd category is mainly people who have had some issue and are looking for constructive help (i.e. "I had XX Problem, anyone else have it and how did you get it fixed.").

Unfortunately, the 3rd group also includes the "I want a pound of flesh and I'm going to post my complaint on every forum that will allow it." crowd. This exaggerates the impression there are problems.

I'm in no way saying the people posting problems are being dishonest. I'm sure whatever problem they are reporting is correct. However, there are 10's of thousands of trouble-free firearms being sold for every 1 with a problem.

Unless they are "gun guys" people who buy a firearm and it works probably will never go to an internet forum so we don't hear about them which makes it seem like every brand and type of firearm has lots of troubles when that is really not the case.

Jeff

 

[Donn]

Only malfunctions I've had were due to bad ammo. Otherwise, my Shield 9mm has been the Energizer Bunny.

 

[jaaeatax]

I had 300 rounds through it before it started to have FTE's and a lot of them. Over 20 rounds on different factory ammo and different weights. Had to drop the mag and pry out the round. It's at S&W now. If it comes back and works, then fine. If not it's gone. I can't take the chance.

 

[uechikid]

I'm curious as to how this ended up for the OP.

 

[MP1SG]

I have over 2,700 rounds through my Shield 9mm without a single malfunction. Thing eats everything, very reliable and very accurate. Production Date/purchase date around 10/2102

My Shield 40 has about 800 rounds with NO issues procuction/purchase date around 8/2012.

Just wanted to put out there a few shields that have functioned flawlessly
1SG
Out

 

[mltndw3]

After a long time on the list, I got my S&W M&P Shield 9mm, took it to the range put about 50 rounds through it had a FTE after that tried to put another 100 rounds through it had 3 more FTE and 1 stuck in the pipe. Had to have gunsmith get it out. Took it back to where I bought it they called S&W and was told to send it to them. Has anyone else had these problems? I hope S&W makes it right and it comes back and works ok?

I bought a 9mm Shield yesterday and had the same thing happen to me on the range today. Had a FTE with my second magazine at around 12 rounds. Shot two more mags and didn't have a problem. I love the gun, the feel, and found it very accurate, but this disturbed me. I have a Glock 19 Gen 4 that I've put about 1500 rounds through it (I use Georgia Arms ammo) and have never had a problem. After reading the thread, I'm wondering it this is going to be a problem. I will give it some more range time and see what happens before I contact S&W.

 

[RobzGuns]

If the only incidence was in the first 12 rounds, don't worry about it unless it becomes a consistent problem (several instances across a few Hundred rounds).

If/when it becomes a consistent problem, then consider parting ways and move on.
Maybe consider waiting for Glock's 9mm version of the G42.

 

[dp2826]

If the only incidence was in the first 12 rounds, don't worry about it unless it becomes a consistent problem (several instances across a few Hundred rounds).

If/when it becomes a consistent problem, then consider parting ways and move on.
Maybe consider waiting for Glock's 9mm version of the G42.

I've been getting several failure to extract on each trip to the range. Each trip with 150 rounds. I have about 450 rounds through it. Is this something that it will come out of with more rounds? Love this gun, but being a ccw, I can't call that reliable.

 

[mltndw3]

Shield FTE update

I wanted to provide an update on my FTE issue. Went to the range yesterday with some Factory 147 grain ammo and had absolutely no problems. I had also added a drop of lube on the piston and spring and cycled it about 20 times (as seen on a YouTube video on cleaning M&Ps) the last time I cleaned it which may have helped as well. I really love this gun and hope the FTEs are behind me now that the recoil spring has loosened up.