Shield 40 Mishap

[Doug M.]

Folks: please note that the original poster was shooting factory ammo - someone else mentioned a KB with their reloads, not the OP.

That looks like either over pressure or premature unlocking, and that primer strike looks similar to other episodes of premature unlocking I have seen in other firearms. (I've not shot the M&Ps, so don't know what primers would look like, and I am not really a fan of the .40). There are also questions about inconsistent lockup in the full size 9s, so I can see that.

You need to contact both S&W and the ammo maker, as one of the two made an error.

 

[2001gmc]

I sent S&W a email with the pics I posted here. It says to email them cause of the Shield recall the wait times are hours for calling. I got a reply saying it could be up to 5 days for a response. I also sent Federal a message to what happened.

 

[jwalts27]

Folks: please note that the original poster was shooting factory ammo - someone else mentioned a KB with their reloads, not the OP.

That looks like either over pressure or premature unlocking, and that primer strike looks similar to other episodes of premature unlocking I have seen in other firearms. (I've not shot the M&Ps, so don't know what primers would look like, and I am not really a fan of the .40). There are also questions about inconsistent lockup in the full size 9s, so I can see that.

You need to contact both S&W and the ammo maker, as one of the two made an error.

That primer strike is normal. All my M&Ps do it.

 

[2001gmc]

I think the gun fired before the slide was all the way forward. I don't think the bullet was all the way in the barrel before it went off. My dad was standing next to me watching me shoot he said hes about 100% sure thats what happened.

 

[woodmnctry]

Dang! -- hope u have recovered --- will look forward to what SW has to say.
G

 

[Shielder]

I would think that for the pistol to have fired as the slide moved forward implies something wrong with the mechanism in the pistol. Consider that if this happened, and the case exploded as the firing pin impacted the primer on the way forward, it could imply that the firing pin had not retracted upon the previous round being fired. I suspect S&W would want to get hands on the pistol and see what components might have malfunctioned.

I have not looked up the internal ballistics for the Federal Classic 40 S&W 180gr Hi-Shock JHP that this happened with--but it makes me wonder if that round was over-powered for the pistol?

I hope you keep us posted here on what you learn so we can all benefit.

 

[soad]

This box of Federal Classic 40 S&W 180gr Hi-Shock JHP has a date of 1997 but that shouldn't matter.

Just a thought: Did you buy the ammo in the late 90's from a reputable dealer and it's been in your possession since?

If so, never mind.

However, the conspiracy theorist in me wonders if at some point in the last 16 years someone put crappy reloads into a Hi-Shock box and passed it off as factory ammo. There have been a few ammo shortages since 1997 and some one could have been looking to make a buck at some point.

If so, that would raise the chance of a double charge exponentially.

 

[rwsmith]

Please keep us up to date......

Please keep us posted on what you find. I like to hear about any failures, because they keep us on our toes.

Really glad you weren't hurt.

 

[2001gmc]

i just recieved a call from smith. They wanted to make sure I was ok and get the ball rolling. They sent me a prepaid lable in my email to send it in. They have to test it to see if it was a malfunction of the gun or a over charged round. He talked like I could even get a different M&P all together if i choose when they figure out what went wrong. He said federal will pay for a new gun if they determine it was a over charged round. Of course they will want the info off the ammo box wich is no big deal to me. Just a FYI.

 

[Dino1]

Not shot out of any of my M&P pistols, but it is a .40 round that was fired through my .40 carbine. I will never again buy any aluminum ammo, not worth it to save a couple bucks. This round just broke in half like someone cut it, clean break all the way around. And if you look at it close it looks to be scored on the inside were it broke. Case is not bulged or damaged in any other way. The back half ejected from the chamber, but the front half stayed in the chamber not allowing the next round to go fully into the chamber.

 

[2001gmc]

Not shot out of any of my M&P pistols, but it is a .40 round that was fired through my .40 carbine. I will never again buy any aluminum ammo, not worth it to save a couple bucks. This round just broke in half like someone cut it, clean break all the way around. And if you look at it close it looks to be scored on the inside were it broke. Case is not bulged or damaged in any other way. The back half ejected from the chamber, but the front half stayed in the chamber not allowing the next round to go fully into the chamber.

You know this is exactly what the case in my shield looks like. The small part is still hung in the barrel.

 

[Autococker07]

To be honest I was searching for the 9 Shield when I picked up this 40. I've never owned a 40 before but I grabbed it cause I had been looking for like 4 months or so and I grabbed it. I'd rather have the 40c to be honest. I don't want a 40 shield back but that's probably what I will get if anything.

I would ask them to send you a 9mm shield, as you cannot feel safe with a 40. I bet they will happily replace it with a 9.

Glad you are not hurt, this is one reason I am not a fan of 40 S&W..... typically guns "designed" with a 9mm in mind are used for a 40 because they are "strong enough" (insert all 40 lovers telling me they are made for 40 pressures, overbuilt for 9mm, yadda yadda) Of all the Kabooms I have seen, a majority of them is with 40S&W. Think about it... Same gun, thinner barrel/chamber, larger heavier bullet, larger charge, etc...

You cannot drive a stock car like a race car, unless you plan on replacing parts early..... and often

I have 40's but do not acquire them other than by accident/trade etc. I am not impressed.


As for the reloads question, remember folks UMC/winchester,hornady, etc ALL can have a double charge.... ALL of them.....

At the rate ammo is being made now will anyone claim that there is a foolproof way to screen all ammunition? Or even that QC is as good as 5 years ago?

Just being a reload doesn't make it low quality, just as being factory does not make it high quality.

 

[Mcwsky09]

Aluminum

Not shot out of any of my M&P pistols, but it is a .40 round that was fired through my .40 carbine. I will never again buy any aluminum ammo, not worth it to save a couple bucks. This round just broke in half like someone cut it, clean break all the way around. And if you look at it close it looks to be scored on the inside were it broke. Case is not bulged or damaged in any other way. The back half ejected from the chamber, but the front half stayed in the chamber not allowing the next round to go fully into the chamber.

I have put at least 100 rounds each of Blazer Aluminum 380 and 45 through their respective S&W firearms without incident. I have perhaps a couple hundred more - but now that I have reloading gear I will likely stick to brass - maybe use of the Aluminum when shooting in places where recovering the spent cases is not so easy.

 

[Dino1]

I would ask them to send you a 9mm shield, as you cannot feel safe with a 40. I bet they will happily replace it with a 9.

Glad you are not hurt, this is one reason I am not a fan of 40 S&W..... typically guns "designed" with a 9mm in mind are used for a 40 because they are "strong enough" (insert all 40 lovers telling me they are made for 40 pressures, overbuilt for 9mm, yadda yadda) Of all the Kabooms I have seen, a majority of them is with 40S&W. Think about it... Same gun, thinner barrel/chamber, larger heavier bullet, larger charge, etc...

You cannot drive a stock car like a race car, unless you plan on replacing parts early..... and often

I have 40's but do not acquire them other than by accident/trade etc. I am not impressed.


As for the reloads question, remember folks UMC/winchester,hornady, etc ALL can have a double charge.... ALL of them.....

At the rate ammo is being made now will anyone claim that there is a foolproof way to screen all ammunition? Or even that QC is as good as 5 years ago?

Just being a reload doesn't make it low quality, just as being factory does not make it high quality.

Seriously, you did not make that statement with any validation. Their is nothing wrong with the Shield .40 or any other pistol Smith makes in that caliber. The pressure is so close between the 9mm and the .40 that statement makes no sense at all. Ask around how many folks have blown their .40 barrels apart. That is like me saying real men carry a .40, and my wife carries a 9. Even if it is true.

 

[jlemmy]

Very scary but glad your ok ! I'll follow for what turns out to be the cause here .

 

[suckersrus]

Want me to save you some time?

Federal will say it was not a problem with the ammo-you should contact S&W.

S&W will say it was not a problem with the gun, you should contact Federal.
However, send in the gun and S&W will make it right.


Sooooo....call S&W and when someone answers, ask "Where do I send it?"

 

[8th SPS USAF]

Shield mishap

I had a bad Fed 40 a few years ago that blew up my P 40 KAHR. I called Fed and they paid KAHR to fix my gun. Was your ammo stamped FED or FC? The one that blew up was FC. Glad you are OK Good luck

 

[2001gmc]

I had a bad Fed 40 a few years ago that blew up my P 40 KAHR. I called Fed and they paid KAHR to fix my gun. Was your ammo stamped FED or FC? The one that blew up was FC. Glad you are OK Good luck

They all are stamped Federal 40 S&W. Well my gun is not fixable but Smith said they would replace it if they determine it was the gun and they said Federal will have no problem paying for me another gun if its the ammo. So we will see soon I hope it will be leaving Monday morning 2day shipping.

 

[2001gmc]

I honestly hope they say it was the ammo. I'm a die hard Smith&Wesson fan and have the 22A,Model 66 357mag and the M&P 9 full size. I also have the Shot Show M&P15 mid length AR-15 magpul edition. I really dunno what to think about it I just want my gun back.

 

[Stratajema]

OP, make sure you photograph the gun and ammo multiple times before sending it off.

 

[2001gmc]

I'm seriously thinking about telling them the M&P 45 or the M&P9c since I got the M&P9FS. I got about 500 rounds of new 40 ammo i would have to do something with.

 

[2001gmc]

Well my gun went out today they should receive it Wednesday.

 

[oberon]

Glad you weren't seriously injured. KBs can be real bad.
Out of battery ignition can happen if the firing pin is stuck, or if the round had a high primer.
This case has a high index of suspicion for OOB ignition.

 

[FloridaFlyBoy]

(Lack of)S+W Customer Service

I am glad ur safe.
I had a problem with my M&P .40S+W and saw on a blog that it was not uncommon. I called the number in my owner's manual, and they said they would send a pre-paid mailer. Over 2 weeks waiting now, and so disappointed in their ( lack of) customer service.

My problem is not nearly as important is yours, but hey, customer service isn't happening.

Thanks for input, folks.

Newbie, Paul

FloridaFlyBoy

 

[turbo38gn]

I am glad ur safe.
I had a problem with my M&P .40S+W and saw on a blog that it was not uncommon. I called the number in my owner's manual, and they said they would send a pre-paid mailer. Over 2 weeks waiting now, and so disappointed in their ( lack of) customer service.

My problem is not nearly as important is yours, but hey, customer service isn't happening.

Thanks for input, folks.

Newbie, Paul

FloridaFlyBoy

so, what's the problem with yours?

 

[FloridaFlyBoy]

Mag drops when fired

I had read on a blog ( forgot to bookmark it) that it was a common problem, and that service from the factory was SLOW but they would take care of it.

Still waiting to hear from factory.

The mag drop is not much - 1/8-1/4 inch, barely noticeable as compared to a complete mag drop , and when trying to do a " double tap" it's like...huh??

I was at an indoor range, so " experimenting " why would have been " verboten".

Having a CWP I was going to use it for carry, however, I don't trust it now, and not sure that I will ever.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Why not 9 or 45 to replace it. I'd step back from the shield and go for a 40c if they'd trade you.

 

[2001gmc]

Why not 9 or 45 to replace it. I'd step back from the shield and go for a 40c if they'd trade you.

Well this scared the heck out of me I think I'm gonna steer clear of the 40 round all together. I'm leaning towards the 9c or shield 9mm since I already have the FS9 and love it.

Federal is also sending a UPS pickup to check out the remaining rounds. I still think the gun fired before the round was fully chambered just from looking at it. I had originally thought it blew the case perfect in half but it looks like as best as I can see it went off then half the case is hung in the barrel then the other half is jammed in the slide but there is a piece of brass kinda spiraled between the 2 pieces therefore you cant pull the slide back.

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

Take some pictures of the box of ammo including the lot numbers for your records too!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rastoff]

As far as the OP goes if you were firing factory ammo it sure looks like the case failed. Not the gun. It has a clear bulge on the rim of the casing.

It's hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like the case failed at the rim.

I think the gun fired before the slide was all the way forward. I don't think the bullet was all the way in the barrel before it went off. My dad was standing next to me watching me shoot he said hes about 100% sure thats what happened.

While this is possible, it is very unlikely. The primer is not in front of the striker until the rear of the chamber is against the breech face. At that point the case is fully supported.

To me it looks like the slide froze up as it tried to move back.

Of course I wasn't there.

I'm glad you're OK and hopefully have learned from this. I'm curious to hear what S&W's conclusions are.