Ridiculous response from S&W on Shield Plus mags

[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.

 

[Old_Cop]

The just-in-time (JIT) inventory system is a management strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules. Companies employ this inventory strategy to increase efficiency and decrease waste by receiving goods only as they need them for the production process, which reduces inventory costs.
- investopedia

Because it's about the bottom dollar, not your wants or needs.

 

[scott.amy00]

The just-in-time (JIT) inventory system is a management strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules. Companies employ this inventory strategy to increase efficiency and decrease waste by receiving goods only as they need them for the production process, which reduces inventory costs.
- investopedia

Because it's about the bottom dollar, not your wants or needs.

BINGO! Hit the nail on the head right there!

Sent from my SM-A115U using Tapatalk

 

[WK1025]

Smith doesn't make the magazines for the Shield Plus .. they are sourced from Italy, specifically Mec-Gar.

I live in the mag restricted state of Connecticut and when I purchased my Shield Plus they could only get the Plus' with the 10 and 13 mags. The LGS took out the 13 round mag and sold it with the 10 round only and a voucher for another 10 round later. I ordered a Shield Plus PC 4" and made sure to order the correct SKU number and that came with 2 10 round mags. I have gone through problems like this quite often with many manufacturers through the years. I had to wait over a year to buy a Hellcat with a 10 round mag, they didn't make a 10 round mag. My Glock 43X didn't have extra mags in my LGS for a few months after it came out. I do want to have extra mags for all my guns but I can see why Smith and Wesson is not selling extra mags when they need them for the new pistol orders.
I would also add that in my 45 years of shooting I have only had one aftermarket mag fail on me, none from OEM. It is frustrating but I feel Smith and Wesson is a quality company and will make it right as soon as possible. If you don't like what they are doing you don't have to buy from them. Myself I love all my Shield pistols.
WK

 

[N4KVE]

The just-in-time (JIT) inventory system is a management strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules. Companies employ this inventory strategy to increase efficiency and decrease waste by receiving goods only as they need them for the production process, which reduces inventory costs.

That didn't work out too well for the auto mfr's lately, did it. For years, the US auto mfr's had months of parts inventory at the assembly plants, until they saw the foreign mfr's using the JIT method, so now we do it too. Under normal circumstances, it works well, & saves them $. But sadly the last 18 months have not been normal. GARY.

 

[sousana]

That's the overwhelming reason the other day I opted to buy a brand new M&P Shield 2.0 45 over the slightly lower priced Shield plus in the display case. Of course the plethora of extra 45 shield mags helped my decision making.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

" These magazines are currently not set up for individual sale. Please continue to check with us periodically for updates."

It's sounds like the reply you get when someone has to answer the same question over and over.

Not saying it's a proper response, but that's what it sounds like. I'll bet they get many "S+ Magazine" emails per day. I'm also sure they would love to sell you magazines if they could just get some themselves!

 

[N4KVE]

Probably the same reply the other 158 people got that day calling up asking where all the mags are. GARY.

 

[cma_g21]

The just-in-time (JIT) inventory system is a management strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules. Companies employ this inventory strategy to increase efficiency and decrease waste by receiving goods only as they need them for the production process, which reduces inventory costs.
- investopedia

That's only half the problem. The other half is single sourcing of parts.

In this case, the reduced production capacity of Mec-Gar is only making extra mags scarce. Imagine if a natural or man-made disaster seriously degraded or destroyed Mec-Gar. Then, with no inventory and no other ready source of magazines, their sales of magazine fed firearms grinds to a halt.

At that point another source must be secured and tooled up for production. With so many gun companies depending on Mec-Gar there will be a lot of completion for whatever limited quality manufacturing capacity is available. I imagine the few other mag makers will prioritize their existing customers, and/or charge through the nose.

 

[Bumpus13]

This world has never suffered from a lack of whiny people. I'm not surprised this is any different.

 

[gnappi]

Nowadays S&W's reply is no surprise. The RIA wide body (hi cap) 10mm comes with one mag and none are available AMYWHERE!

Maybe after the surge in firearm sales tapers off we'll see some spares coming out.

 

[jurek]

.............

 

[jurek]

Nowadays S&W's reply is no surprise. The RIA wide body (hi cap) 10mm comes with one mag and none are available AMYWHERE!
Maybe after the surge in firearm sales tapers off we'll see some spares coming out.

Are you sure about that?
I've never had problem to find magazines for my RIA A2 models.

Check armscor shop website.

 

[gnappi]

Are you sure about that?
I've never had problem to find magazines for my RIA A2 models.

Check armscor shop website.

Of course I'm sure about it , If they have them, they got them after I committed to buying Para mags.

Anyway, I checked today and their links to many of their OEM mags give me a 404 (page not found) error.

 

[Pef]

I e-mailed S&W customer support hoping to get some reassurances that they're working hard to get magazines for the Shield Plus into the market, and that they understand the issues.

Instead I got a tone deaf and frankly ridiculous answer to my question of when we can expect the retail availability to improve. I almost can't believe they sent this to me.

" These magazines are currently not set up for individual sale. Please continue to check with us periodically for updates."

Not set up for individual sale????? So you get the two in the box and if one breaks or you just want more…you're out of luck? I am flabbergasted by that response.

We've had furniture and appliances on order for over eight months. Keeps getting pushed back.

Unsold new cars are being cannibalized to meet warranty requirements.

The supply chain has been disrupted world wide, and in the case of guns, they are selling....well, let's say hotcakes aren't even selling like guns.

I really don't see any problem with their response.

 

[neil0311]

Mods please delete. As much as a snide comment would be nice, it's not worth it. I'll be the adult.

 

[LostintheOzone]

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

We should have some more in a few weeks.

A few weeks later. I'm not sure who told you that but we won't have anymore for about a month.

About a month later. We had anticipated having more by now but looks like a few more months.

You get the picture.

I only buy guns that I know for sure spare the mags are available. Once in hand I buy more magazines unless I already have those.

Be careful of cheap Chinese knock offs when mags are scarce. I just got hooked by these guys.

GUN SHOW MAGS : Magazines & Parts for Pistols and Rifles

Lots off Chinese junk that won't function. No returns after 7 days. I took them to the range a few weeks after I bought them and they won't work. Threw 5 mags in the garbage rather then pass them off to someone else. They won't return any emails. Avoid them like the plague. Get the word out.

 

[gc70]

Yes…and will never buy another product from S&W again. I own 2 pistols and a rifle now. I also own firearms from Sig, Springfield Armory, Glock, Ruger, etc.

I bought my P365XL a month after the model was released for sale. Mags, slides, grips, sights and other accessories were available almost immediately, despite it and it's original predecessor being the best selling EDC pistol in the US. Same for my Hellcat a few months later.

If you simply must have extra magazines right now, sell the S&W and use your P365XL or Hellcat. Complaining about the tone of a Customer Service response is not going to change anything.

 

[pazzo]

If I remember correctly (which I damn well do) S&W pitched the Shield Plus as having many accessories immediately available. Magazines are accessories and an integral part of the firearm needed for correct functioning. Spare parts and magazines are required to keep a firearm functioning as designed, so I see the response
"These magazines are currently not set up for individual sale" as about a genuine as Biden staying Al Qaeda is no longer in Afghanistan.

Somehow some gougers are able to get extra magazines AND other manufacturers are not using these types of excuses for magazines.

Ya'll want to be apologists for S&W, you do you.

I does matter to me, if a firearm manufacturer that I purchase guns from can supply parts or are simply going to make excuses.

I will continue to use my Hellcat and Springfield or others maybe higher on my list for future purchases considering the ***** S&W thinks is acceptable for a consumer

 

[seldon14]

If I remember correctly (which I damn well do) S&W pitched the Shield Plus as having many accessories immediately available. Magazines are accessories and an integral part of the firearm needed for correct functioning. Spare parts and magazines are required to keep a firearm functioning as designed, so I see the response
"These magazines are currently not set up for individual sale" as about a genuine as Biden staying Al Qaeda is no longer in Afghanistan.

Somehow some gougers are able to get extra magazines AND other manufacturers are not using these types of excuses for magazines.

Ya'll want to be apologists for S&W, you do you.

I does matter to me, if a firearm manufacturer that I purchase guns from can supply parts or are simply going to make excuses.

I will continue to use my Hellcat and Springfield or others maybe higher on my list for future purchases considering the ***** S&W thinks is acceptable for a consumer

If you were unable to use your firearm due to one of the supplied magazine not working, I'm sure they would replace it ia warranty. The scalpers are most likely stripping a mag from a new production gun and selling them separately, a common tactic with hot new in demand firearms.

Is there a term for a male Karen?

 

[George_P_Burdell]

The scalpers are most likely stripping a mag from a new production gun and selling them separately, a common tactic with hot new in demand firearms.

The grossly over-priced 13-round mags I've seen for the Shield Plus seem to be coming from states like CT, which bans mags with capacity over 10 rounds .... I have my opinion ... I invite everyone to draw their own conclusions.