Rear slide cover almost fell out on new Shield???

[andyems10]

I picked up my new Shield .40 yesterday and headed to the range today. About 70-75 rounds into my day I noticed the slide didn't close completely after a shot. I took me a few seconds to realize the rear slide cover had came loose and slid down. It was keeping the slide from completely closing. I slid it back into place and it seemed tight. I fired another 100 rounds or so and it didn't move anymore. Seemed to be perfectly in place for the remainder of the day.
I came home and called S&W. They guy told me it was probably just not seated completely/correctly when it was first assembled and as long as it's staying in place now it should be fine. He sent me a return label and told me I could send it in to get checked but said he didn't feel it was necessary. He said as long as it clicked into place now everything should be fine and I don't need to worry.
My question is do you all think it should be returned or should I just leave it be for now? I know it's seated well now. I can't move it now and it seems solid in place. Don't know how this should be handled. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Saudade]

What ammo were you shooting?

There's another thread with someone with the same issue. Try searching for it. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[S&W Rover]

I don't think it needs to go back, but your opinion on this is the one that matters.

The end cap or slide cover is held in place by the tension of the striker assembly, under spring tension, pushing toward it. I would depress the plastic striker carrier part of the assembly, remove the slide cover, and then remove the entire striker assembly and clean and check it (it should not be oiled upon reassembly in the slide). After reassembly, just make sure the end cap seats well. For me, that would be all it takes to convince myself it is okay -- that and a couple of days on the range.

Just one man's opinion. S&W is willing to pay to make sure you feel totally confident; that's a good company!

 

[andyems10]

I had used about 10 rounds of PMC that were left over from another range visit. I then used Winchester white box until the issue. After that I used some Blazer Brass and about 15 Federal HSTs. No other issues with any other ammo or any other slide cover issues. Wanted to try several different rounds for functionality while I was there. No problems with any of them.

 

[RobzGuns]

Are you able to use your thumb (or thumb & forefinger) to pull the slide cover off now? If not, it will probably stay put. As S&W Rover wrote, the only thing that holds it in place is the striker assembly's spring tension. You probably 'fixed' it when you slid it back up into place.

Find a video on swapping out Slide plates (NDZ Performance has a good one), remove it, inspect the assembly and clean it (and the striker channel, as long as it's off ) and reassemble. When you reassemble, you'll hear it 'snap' into place.

Of course... If you're wanting a Slide Plate graphic, Now would be the perfect time to get one from NDZ.

 

[Tinn-Can]

Mine has done that once at the range while shooting some federal hst stuff... I've taken the striker out so many times it might just not have gotten seated correctly that time... It really isn't all that great of distance to jump out of the little divot on the back plate though.

 

[andyems10]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll just keep it for now and probably add a NDZ slide plate just because. I was actually relieved that the problem was so simple once I found it. When I noticed it hadn't completely closed my heart dropped. In the 5 seconds it took me to figure it out I was thinking of all the bad stories of stove pipes, failure to eject, failure to feed, etc with these guns and I just knew I had a lemon. I talked to a gunsmith from church tonight. He also agrees that it was a fluke thing and should not give any further issues. He said its one if those things that either locks into place and stays or it doesn't and its always loose. I shot numerous rounds through it after re-seating it at the range earlier today. It was still solid in place. I took it apart tonight and cleaned the striker and channel. Everything looked normal. It seemed to fit back as it should. After I put it back together the plate stayed locked in again. Solid as can be. I'll make another range trip before I carry it for EDC but I'm feeling a lot better about it too. Thanks again.

 

[PROnSHIELD]

Here is the thread of the "other .40 cal Shield"

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...sson-shield-malfunction-customer-service.html

 

[andyems10]

Thanks everyone. Since I already had the shipping label I decided to go ahead and send it to them just for comfort measures. I waited about 6 months for this gun to come I can wait a few more weeks to make sure it right. Probably overkill but it will make me feel better about carrying it. Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

[andyems10]

Got my gun back today!!! They replaced the stryker and rear cover plate. Even returned it to me with a free extra 6 round magazine too. Another trip to the range before I call it EDC worthy but glad I waited to get it checked right. Can't be too careful if your life might depend on it. Thanks again for all the advice.