Ridiculous response from S&W on Shield Plus mags

[fmflorida]

Apples and oranges. Both guns introduced well pre-pandemic. . .

Muss mentions exactly what I was going to mention.

S&W introduced a very popular firearm in the middle of a pandemic where near everything was closed or limited.

They have done quite well in providing the firearms in rather large supplies given what is going on.....yet someone still isnt happy.

I 100% agree everyone should have 5+ mags per weapon, I always buy extra magazines but I also realize things are different right now.

Smith and Wesson I am sure is doing their best, however when you have millions of people buying a product and millions wanting extras....it takes time....and most people will understand that.

Just a thought....if you wanted a gun you could get extras for......maybe wait a year or so before buying the gun......and realize you arent the only one wanting the item.

Side note, SIG did have to start issuing some guns with 1 magazine and a card to redeem the additional mags later on so they could get their P365's out faster.

 

[LVSteve]

The response I got didn't even acknowledge there's a problem.

Because for them there isn't a problem. Yes, the world is that cold these days, and has been for a while.

 

[neil0311]

Because for them there isn't a problem. Yes, the world is that cold these days, and has been for a while.

OK…and my decision not to buy another S&W product is my prerogative. Companies who care about me get my business.

 

[ImDrRich]

I am not surprised in the least about the response you got. Pandemic, strong demand, etc., they should believe in "customer service" first - not last.

 

[neil0311]

Apples and oranges. Both guns introduced well pre-pandemic. . .

Not at all. Their response is the issue. Some of you keep harping on the underlying fact that mag supply is constrained. That's not my issue.

The issue is their tone deaf response. Some of you seem OK with it. So be it. Having an issue isn't how companies lose customers. How they react and respond to the issue is why they keep/gain or lose customers.

When you market a firearm based on the value of higher capacity, ignoring the customers who bought that pitch makes no sense. But I see I'm in the minority.

Have a nice night everyone.

 

[SchemaEnigma]

Someone got their feelings hurt. So sad.

 

[George_P_Burdell]

Smith doesn't make the magazines for the Shield Plus .. they are sourced from Italy, specifically Mec-Gar. I asked Smith directly some 4 to 6 weeks ago. I insisted on the truth, that they NOT blow smoke up my backside. The answer I got .. they did not know when extra 13 round mags would be available. Not a complete answer, but at least direct and probably honest.

I also contacted Mec-Gar USA .. they are not connected to Mec-gar Italy as the USA division is for aftermarket mags only. New / OEM is Italy and the two Mec-Gar divisions do not "talk" to each other.

We're gonna have a wait on our hands .. just don't know how long. Personally, I think months, and would not be surprised if a steady supply of extra / spare / more mags doesn't happen until 2022.

 

[Ranger17]

Guess I dont see a correlation between magazine capacity and magazine availability. A capacity should not dictate what a store happens to carry.
A mag only holds 8 rounds, we want more of them. A mag holds 10-13 rounds, we want more. A 17 round mag? Yep we want more. And so on.
There are many things not a available right now, or at an overly high cost if they are… the past 12+ months are not a good point of reference for any production or retail; the coming months likely won't be much better.

 

[hardluk1]

neil0311 Make your choice and move on . Many of use have a number of brands of handguns in different sizes . Don't think sigs all that nether . When I bought a p320c 40sw it was early in production and extra mags took a while a change of grip size took a year and onoy then did imnfo get out that the 45 cal verion would not be as a xchange kit like a 9,mm 40sw , or 357sig was . Shame on them too but I carried it for 6.5 years befor buy a real piece of chit p320xc . Sold 'um both . And the 15 round mags for the XL were some time to show up too .

So stop your whining and ether buy on or move on , Hey maybe a ruger max 9 . Ha . I rather have a m&p SC over the shield plus . Not really much . The 1/2 in length and 4.8 ounce just don't matter much . Run a flat bottom mag in the SC and the heights the same . Width is measured on the SC with a thumb safety so even thats with in .121 wide with a small grip insert . So much over so little .

 

[neil0311]

So stop your whining and ether buy on or move on

I already bought the Shield Plus months ago. Maybe stop insulting and try reading.

 

[kbm6893]

I gotta admit the constant "Covid Excuse" is getting old. I'm not in a huge rush to get them, but they should be showing up on shelves by now. It's annoying to see Springfield, Sig, Ruger, and Glock having available mags for their new guns and S&W not getting them. I'll bet you Jerry Miculek and Julie Golob have all they want and more. The employees who showcase their product have all they want but not the customer who buys them.

 

[Jack Flash]

I can understand the OP to a certain extent, being the sensitive type myself. But you have to look at it from the viewpoint of the S&W CS Rep as well. These are hectic times and they are probably deluged with inquiries 24/7. They just can't give a personalized hand-holding response to each one. As well, you can bet that anything they say is going to be picked apart, so they probably get input from the in-house legal dept. on exactly what to say, and to keep it as brief as possible.

It's still a seller's market out there, right? If you really mean that this experience has soured you on all S&W products, why not sell your pistol and buy something from a company with a more empathetic CS Dept.?

 

[hardluk1]

I already bought the Shield Plus months ago. Maybe stop insulting and try reading.

Yea you bought it so that's why your still complaining months later !!

With the good common sense most of us have you should known that most new "hot " selling handguns to the market are short on extra mags along with parts in general for some time following its introduction . Learn to check for extras before buying like mags and springs maybe a striker even before buying but know going in what may not be available for a while.

Whining here does not help ether , even months later .

Since no more s&w are on your buy list you might wait for those new to the market handguns to have parts available in the aftermarket before buying or at least not short circuit and do not expect the talking heads in customer service to have all the answers you want or like to hear . I tend to wait for beta testers to find the short comings and problems to show up before buying . I've also had to wait for call backs or e mails for some info wanted that had to be found by some one other than a talking head that most company have .

Have a real fine day !

 

[ken158]

So what could they have said that would removed the burr from underneath your saddle . . . ?

They could have said they didn't have enough mags to satisfy people that wanted more then the guns ship with and will hold the distribution line from everyone until supply equals demand - but we did send a few guns to the writers and you can read all about it in the gun rags…

 

[Muss Muggins]

I doubt that would have helped . . .

They could have said they didn't have enough mags to satisfy people that wanted more then the guns ship with and will hold the distribution line from everyone until supply equals demand - but we did send a few guns to the writers and you can read all about it in the gun rags…

 

[ColbyBruce]

The reply the OP got sounds like the response I got from a Ms. Fredette when I called for replacement magazines for my three Walther P22 pistols. She basically called me a liar in regards to having three of them. I had to send her a copy of my sales receipt from Vances in Ohio, the receipt from my local FFL and a photo of all three.

 

[cma_g21]

Just a thought, but maybe the management at S&W might want to look at additional sources for magazines. Not to replace Mec-Gar, but as a supplement - rather than the current all the eggs in one basket approach.

I don't know who makes Ruger magazines, but if it's anyone other than Ruger that might be a good choice as both the Max-9 and LCP Max magazines seem to be widely available...

 

[jimmyj]

There is a company (Magpul ?) that makes magazines for most gun companies. I would check their web site for the magazines you want

 

[lhump1961]

Just a thought, but maybe the management at S&W might want to look at additional sources for magazines. Not to replace Mec-Gar, but as a supplement - rather than the current all the eggs in one basket approach.

I don't know who makes Ruger magazines, but if it's anyone other than Ruger that might be a good choice as both the Max-9 and LCP Max magazines seem to be widely available...

Magazines are a critical component of the platform of any gun. They have to be right or the gun don't work. There are many aftermarket companies making magazines that I won't buy due to their reputation. If Smith outsourced mags to another company and they weren't reliable that would be a huge blow to the brand that wasn't their fault that would live forever on the internet. Not a risk I would take. It may be a viable option but I'm not qualified to comment further.

 

[crosseyedshooter]

I've certainly learned my lesson; if I want plentiful magazines, buy a Glock. Every other manufacturer has been a waiting game for new mags: S&W, Sig, Walther, Staccato, Springfield, B&T, etc.