S&W NOW SELLING BARRELS January 2013

[M&Pmeister]

They (S&W) just sold me one, so not sure. The not fitting part goes against pretty much every thread on the subject I could find - did you actually try a S&W 9mm barrel in a 40S&W slide, or read that somewhere? Not being argumentative, I genuinely would like to know - I can cancel my order I'm sure as it won't likely ship for several days...

They sold you a Shield 9mm barrel? If so, I'm ordering one first thing Monday morning.

Like I said in my post above, I believe it's a marketing decision by S&W to stop selling Shield 9mm barrels (other than to registered Shield9mm owners probably). The dimension on the Shield 9mm barrel that is loose on a Shield 40 slides is unlikely to cause a mechanical failure of any kind IMO. In fact, looser fitting on lock-up might actually improve cycling reliability. That is why standard issue 1911 rattle the way it does. A custom high-dollar tight-tolerance 1911 may be slightly more accurate, but it is also less tolerant of residue, debris, etc.

I bought my Stormlake conversion barrels because they were about the same price as others have ordered directly from S&W... and they were in stock and available. Back-order OEM barrels through Midway is cheaper, but I didn't want to wait months.

Nowhere did I say anything about the 40 Shield itself being unreliable. All 4 of my M&Ps have fired/cycled flawlessly from day 1.

 

[Saudade]

Dang!! I'm calling Monday too. FS, C and Shield. All are 9mm, all are off roster here in CA (well the FS goes next week). So I'm just seeking spare parts.

S&W CS has been very helpful before. Hope they continue!!

 

[prairie]

They (S&W) just sold me one, so not sure. The not fitting part goes against pretty much every thread on the subject I could find - did you actually try a S&W 9mm barrel in a 40S&W slide, or read that somewhere? Not being argumentative, I genuinely would like to know - I can cancel my order I'm sure as it won't likely ship for several days...

What is the part number? I'm calling ASAP Monday morning. New factory Shield barrels are scarce as hen teeth.

 

[RobzGuns]

Guys... Look at post #12...
78Staff just bought a Full Size barrel (for the 40 PRO he just bought?).

I'm guessing (and I could be mistaken) that he didn't realize this was a Shield related thread.

I just got off the phone with with S&W and ordered a 9mm FS barrel for my 40S&W. They didn't blink an eye, I gave them the part number (turns out it was older part number but she was able to correlate it to the new one).

 

[Well Armed]

Guys... Look at post #12...
78Staff just bought a Full Size barrel (for the 40 PRO he just bought?).

I'm guessing (and I could be mistaken) that he didn't realize this was a Shield related thread.

Exactly...

 

[Raisin]

Can a 40 cal Shield barrel be used in a 9MM shield?

 

[RobzGuns]

Can a 40 cal Shield barrel be used in a 9MM shield?

Nope... It won't fit in the Shield9 slide.

 

[78Staff]

Guys... Look at post #12...
78Staff just bought a Full Size barrel (for the 40 PRO he just bought?).

I'm guessing (and I could be mistaken) that he didn't realize this was a Shield related thread.

Yes, sorry I was referring to full size (or compact), not Shield. The Thread Title didn't specify Shield, although I do see now that the thread is mainly referring to Shield barrels... mea culpa .

 

[78Staff]

I love how everyone keeps saying 40 shield problems keep coming up. Where are they??? One bad post comes up and the entire supply of shields must be bad then

I wasn't saying the Shield 40 has problems, just that there seems to be a lot of threads about Shield 40 problems

 

[M&Pmeister]

Yes, sorry I was referring to full size (or compact), not Shield. The Thread Title didn't specify Shield, although I do see now that the thread is mainly referring to Shield barrels... mea culpa .

Okay, I sort of remember reading a recent post where you might have mentioned it was a FS barrel. ~$100 shipped right?

No biggie. Just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page.

Actually, OP of this thread was referring mostly to the Shield, but he did mentioned C and FS, which is why the title is not Shield specific. I think the discussion is relevant to all 3, as owners have done 9mm conversions to all of them, with very similar concerns and experiences.

 

[ammodave]

Nope... It won't fit in the Shield9 slide.

Not necessarily true. There's a thread on here somewhere on how to slightly modify the .40 barrel to fit the 9mm Shield. It has been done successfully.

 

[RobzGuns]

Okay... An Unmodified Barrel will not fit.
Some Grinding would be needed.
It wouldn't be a 'Drop In', like using a 9mm barrel in a .40.

 

[M&Pmeister]

Not necessarily true. There's a thread on here somewhere on how to slightly modify the .40 barrel to fit the 9mm Shield. It has been done successfully.

Certainly. Whether it is prudent to do so may be a different story.

 

[Smitty357]

BTW, I checked with Stormlake and they said they will make 9mm conversion barrels for the .40 Shield next year. Sure to be a hot seller.

I don't know if this is true, as we have heard this exact story several times in the past a few times. So I would take it with a grain of salt.

But just to let everyone know. My shield .40 is still running strong with the factory 9mm barrel. It has far out lasted my expectations. I'm even still running the factory recoil spring in it after 10k+ rds down range.

 

[Well Armed]

I don't know if this is true, as we have heard this exact story several times in the past a few times. So I would take it with a grain of salt.

But just to let everyone know. My shield .40 is still running strong with the factory 9mm barrel. It has far out lasted my expectations. I'm even still running the factory recoil spring in it after 10k+ rds down range.

Do you ever conceal carry the Shield with the 9mm barrel in it?

 

[JAREDSHS]

I don't know if this is true, as we have heard this exact story several times in the past a few times. So I would take it with a grain of salt.

But just to let everyone know. My shield .40 is still running strong with the factory 9mm barrel. It has far out lasted my expectations. I'm even still running the factory recoil spring in it after 10k+ rds down range.

10,000 rounds is a big bunch of rounds. Could you show a picture of that frame with the slide
removed, showing the rails? Also showing the recoil spring assembly used ?

Thanks.

 

[Smitty357]

I'll get some pics up for u guys when I get a little free time. There isn't much wear on it at all. Besides I do keep all of my weapons very maintained. Actually I likely maintain my weapons 2 or 3 times more often than most users. I've always been taught to keep mechanical things well maintained. For they will only last as long as the person who owns and maintains them.

To the other guy who asked. No I do not carry my Shield with the 9mm barrel. Why carry a 9mm when I have it in .40. Plus the 9mm barrel wasn't technically intended to be used in the .40 frame. Although it works great, this still wasn't the intentions of s&w. Also I would hate to have to use my weapon and then explain in court as to why I'm carrying a modified weapon. I don't see anything good coming from carrying it as a 9mm at all. My advice as it has always been. Use the 9mm for cheap range plinking. But only carry the .40 as this is the way it was intended. In the long run it'll be less hassle on u.

 

[M&Pmeister]

Sure wish I'd bought a 9mm Shield barrel when S&W was still selling them.

Smitty is right. Why carry 9mm when you already got the .40 barrel that came with the Shield? I use my M&P FS and C Stormlake 9mm conversion barrels strictly for the range. I would have no problem doing the same with OEM 9mm barrels.

 

[Well Armed]

Sure wish I'd bought a 9mm Shield barrel when S&W was still selling them.

Smitty is right. Why carry 9mm when you already got the .40 barrel that came with the Shield? I use my M&P FS and C Stormlake 9mm conversion barrels strictly for the range. I would have no problem doing the same with OEM 9mm barrels.

Prob. for the same reason why someone would carry a 9mm handgun when they have a 40 or 45 handgun at home.

 

[M&Pmeister]

I can see wanting to conceal-carry a smaller caliber if that means less weight and bulk... or recoil. I too have 9mm and even 380 for those reasons. But here we are talking about adding a 9mm barrel to and existing .40 handgun. Either way, it'll be the same firearm.

Here's my 40FS with Stormlake 9mm barrel. Recoil isn't different enough to make me want to carry the 9mm.