As a lifelong supporter and owner of Smith & Wesson firearms, I was stunned when my new Shield .40 Smith & Wesson (S&W) exploded in my hand while practicing shooting Sunday Dec. 1, 2013 at my local gun range. I included a couple of photos. I had only shot 92 rounds of a major manufacturer's 180-grain FMJ practice ammo when my brother-in-law who was shooting next to me suggested a defensive load he was shooting. I loaded 4 rounds of the different manufacturer's .40 S&W 135-grain JHP defensive load. Subsequently, I proceeded to fire the first 2 rounds slowly and then the last 2 rounds rapid fire. Upon firing the fourth round, the Shield firearm blew apart sending pieces including my Crimson Trace Laser flying in all directions and very close to my head. I was stunned as I dropped the Shield to the range bench noticing the significant damage to the firearm and realizing while my hand was in major pain with abrasions, burns, and contusions, it was intact and there were no other apparent injuries to others or me thankfully.
I have read the similar threads concerning .40 Shield kabooms and I am very concerned someone may be seriously injured. Each of the threads depicted different manufacturer's ammo. And, in my case my brother-in-law was shooting simultaneously the same defense load out of the same box as me. The only difference was he was shooting an M&P Compact while I was shooting my Shield. The M&P Compact fired approximately 70 rounds of the defense loads with no problems.
My only intention of posting here is to share my experience hopefully to prevent others from being seriously injured. Each person will draw his or her own conclusion. Many times since my Shield blew up I wanted to post this; but I decided to wait until the firearm and ammo were comprehensively evaluated. And, I saw the ongoing thread of another .40 Shield kaboom.
With the exception of approximately 10 rounds held for potential future testing as necessary, the rounds remaining in the box and another full box from the same lot were tested and determined to be within SAAMI specifications.
While I don’t want to dwell on the frustration of the difficult protracted process of trying to get S&W to examine my Shield, it has been exasperating. After shipping the Shield via FedEx and 2 months after S&W logged it in, I just received a letter from them that appears to be the same or similar to letters received by the other Shield kaboom owner’s. I may include a photo of the letter later. For now, here is an excerpt: “We have recently reviewed a Smith & Wesson M – 40 Shield pistol, Serial Number HPJxxxx. After a thorough review, we have determined that the damage to this weapon was not the result of a defect in the materials or workmanship of the weapon.” They then offered to sell me a new Shield for $334 “since they value me as a customer.”
Sorry for the long beginning post. I look forward to your comments or questions and will attempt to respond as necessary.
I have read the similar threads concerning .40 Shield kabooms and I am very concerned someone may be seriously injured. Each of the threads depicted different manufacturer's ammo. And, in my case my brother-in-law was shooting simultaneously the same defense load out of the same box as me. The only difference was he was shooting an M&P Compact while I was shooting my Shield. The M&P Compact fired approximately 70 rounds of the defense loads with no problems.
My only intention of posting here is to share my experience hopefully to prevent others from being seriously injured. Each person will draw his or her own conclusion. Many times since my Shield blew up I wanted to post this; but I decided to wait until the firearm and ammo were comprehensively evaluated. And, I saw the ongoing thread of another .40 Shield kaboom.
With the exception of approximately 10 rounds held for potential future testing as necessary, the rounds remaining in the box and another full box from the same lot were tested and determined to be within SAAMI specifications.
While I don’t want to dwell on the frustration of the difficult protracted process of trying to get S&W to examine my Shield, it has been exasperating. After shipping the Shield via FedEx and 2 months after S&W logged it in, I just received a letter from them that appears to be the same or similar to letters received by the other Shield kaboom owner’s. I may include a photo of the letter later. For now, here is an excerpt: “We have recently reviewed a Smith & Wesson M – 40 Shield pistol, Serial Number HPJxxxx. After a thorough review, we have determined that the damage to this weapon was not the result of a defect in the materials or workmanship of the weapon.” They then offered to sell me a new Shield for $334 “since they value me as a customer.”
Sorry for the long beginning post. I look forward to your comments or questions and will attempt to respond as necessary.
