Shield 45 issue

[Donn]

Picked up a Shield 45 a few weeks back. First two times out, it ran without a problem. The next time out, I had four FTF's. For whatever reason, the slide didn't pick up the next round. The slide locked back as if the mag was empty. I sling-shotted the slide, and everything was fine. Went out yesterday and had one FTF, same as before. I'm using Federal 230gn FMJ. Anyone else out there having this issue with the new 45?

 

[Bonephish]

Mine did the same thing, S&W replaced the barrel locking block. Call them and get a return label. Write, "Locks back prematurely" and they will understand the problem.

 

[Donn]

Thanks for the tip, Bone.

 

[sonofthebeach]

Donn,
My .45 Shield does the exact same thing...on the second or third round of either magazine, the cartridge fails to move up to be chambered. No jams or other lock-ups...the slide just fails to move forward and chamber the next round in the magazine.

I sent it to the factory once, and the problem is still there.

I'll send it back again, but this time bonephish, I'll tell them that I have a premature lock-back problem with the slide. Maybe they'll replace the slide lock mechanism this time.

I'm actually not sure exactly what they did the first time I sent it back, but this Shield isn't designed as a range "toy", and if it fails to feed the second or third round without racking the slide, then I'm basically carrying nothing more than a single shot or derringer if I need the pistol as a defensive tool.

My 9mm and .40S&W Shields never gave me any problems, which is why I thought I'd try a .45.

I hope you get your pistol fixed, and if so, please let me know. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

 

[LAA]

It's getting somewhere around three months for my Shield 45. Has been to a desert range numerous times, as well an an indoor. Not one failure of any kind. Many types of factory, as well as re-loads have been shot through this gun. Two new mags also worked without a hitch. I understand frustration, but as far as I'm concerned, this 45 is as dependable as it gets for a semi-auto. I also have the 9mm Shield,but prefer the 45.

 

[Bonephish]

Donn,
My .45 Shield does the exact same thing...on the second or third round of either magazine, the cartridge fails to move up to be chambered. No jams or other lock-ups...the slide just fails to move forward and chamber the next round in the magazine.

I sent it to the factory once, and the problem is still there.

I'll send it back again, but this time bonephish, I'll tell them that I have a premature lock-back problem with the slide. Maybe they'll replace the slide lock mechanism this time.

I'm actually not sure exactly what they did the first time I sent it back, but this Shield isn't designed as a range "toy", and if it fails to feed the second or third round without racking the slide, then I'm basically carrying nothing more than a single shot or derringer if I need the pistol as a defensive tool.

My 9mm and .40S&W Shields never gave me any problems, which is why I thought I'd try a .45.

I hope you get your pistol fixed, and if so, please let me know. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

Mine was at the factory twice for 3 weeks each time. First time they replaced the slide lock, second time the locking block. Now the pistol runs all kinds of ammo 100%.

When your gun returns from S&W there's paperwork explaining what they did.

 

[kthom]

Once again, I caution all of us to smack our .45 Shields on our palms to make certain that the rounds are all seated as far back against the rear side of the magazine as possible before loading and shooting. In some cases, this may have to be done as we are loading the mags to prevent the bullet tips from touching the front wall of the mag and tipping the rounds as they move downward.

The tolerance for the rounds inside these mags is really tight, I'm sure in order to allow the mag to fit inside the grip area available to keep this platform as small as possible. Different brands of ammo are or may be loaded to slightly different over-all length. Bullet construction is slightly different between brands. Some bullet profiles are a tiny bit longer than others.

I have not had this issue, but it is my practice to smack every loaded magazine against my other hand to fully seat the rounds against the rear portion of the magazine. I am NOT saying there is not a problem with the guns as reported in this thread, but I am saying that I think it is important to do what I have suggested so that a round travelling upward in the mag during shooting does not bind on the front of the magazine and slow it's travel upward. I present this just in case it might be helpful to any or all of us. It has been helpful for me. Take a look at your loaded rounds in the mag. Even after it is certain they are resting against the rear of the mag, there is very little room between bullet tips and the front of the mag. Again, I have not seen the problem described here. But anything that hinders the movement of the rounds inside the magazine can certainly be a problem. I just want all to be aware of this possibility!

 

[scott_0]

guess I'll be sending my Shield 45 to S&W soon, the FTF issue keeps happening, though not as often, for my off duty carry weapon, once is too often! I love the weapon, wow do I ever! but I believe when I get it back it will be traded in on a Glock, I'm undecided on the model

Sent from my S7 Edge on Tapatalk

 

[Bonephish]

After speaking with S&W Customer Service a few times about my .45 Shield, I'm convinced of their dedication.

When they get your gun, the only thing they have to go by is your written description of the problem. They inspect and change a part, etc., test a few rounds and ship it back to you. You should test a full magazine of several brands and types of ammo.

I've heard about several Glocks that went back to the factory. Gun sales are pushing production and a few lemons get shipped out.

 

[LAA]

taking the Shield .45 of my want to buy list, I can't deal with sending guns back, after that I don't trust it anymore.

I'd say I'm in the 1200 rounds of ammo, through my Shield 45 at this point. This is based on the amount of primers I go through, for reloads. Not a hint of failure, using many different loads & types of bullets. Factory & reloads.

It appears that the vast majority of Shield 45 owners have the same experiences I'm having. I bought this 45 due to very positive comments within the month or so after it's release to the market.

As far as trust goes, its at the top of my list for a concealed carry weapon.

Like everything else, thousands of units can work perfectly. A few don't, but those few always get a lot of attention on the internet. Some problems are factory, and no doubt that some are user caused.

edit: So I already posted about the same a week ago. In the meantime, the Shield spent more time at an indoor range this last week shooting two brands of factory, and three different formulas of reloads. Couldn't get a malfunction if I tried (but then I don't limp wrist or hold a thumb against the slide). It shot as accurate up to the 25 yrds as usual. Much better at 25, than any of my 9mm's.

 

[LAA]

One more comment...........

The Shield 45 is a mechanically operated device. It's basic design must be a good one, because of all the positive reports. Some gun designs just stink. They have problems that stick with them. I've had a few, and some I sold, because I couldn't stand them anymore, let alone trust them.

Obviously, in the case of the Shield, something wasn't installed correctly, or there is misuse. I have a mechanical mind. I'll look for the reasons that a device doesn't operate correctly, especially when the design is proven. The Shield has a short track record, but I believe it's a good design. The failures I read about, are not after long use. It's not a worn gun. It must be simple issues that can be taken care of.

I built and flew high performance airplanes. Hundred of things could go wrong. These guns are rather simple. If the design is working well for most owners, then it's fixable. It's not something I'd fret over.

Just look at the hundreds of positive reviews from Shield 45 owners, during the short few months of it's release. It does mean something!

 

[Donn]

Once again, I caution all of us to smack our .45 Shields on our palms to make certain that the rounds are all seated as far back against the rear side of the magazine as possible before loading and shooting. In some cases, this may have to be done as we are loading the mags to prevent the bullet tips from touching the front wall of the mag and tipping the rounds as they move downward.

The tolerance for the rounds inside these mags is really tight, I'm sure in order to allow the mag to fit inside the grip area available to keep this platform as small as possible. Different brands of ammo are or may be loaded to slightly different over-all length. Bullet construction is slightly different between brands. Some bullet profiles are a tiny bit longer than others.

I'm an old Vietnam vet. Tapping my M-16 mags on my steel pot prior to loading was second nature. It's the first thing I tried when this problem arose. Don't wear a steel pot any more, tapped the Shield mags on the shelf at the range. No joy.

 

[kannonvaggon]

There isn't anything wrong in the design of the Shield 45. They work great and cycle with a nice solid "crisp" action. If you have one that doesn't eat all types of ammo then something isn't right. It should be stone reliable. Mine is.

There are lots of issues with folks needing to check their grip style or be careful how they load ammo but that usually works itself out fairly quickly.
I haven't found the 45 to be all that critical on grip and it has always functioned well off hand and left handed and at a non-vertical angle and such when shooting around cover objects . Limp wristing doesn't SEEM to be all that touchy but I'm sure one could induce a stoppage sometimes.

If you check your grip, and the mags AND the alignment of he mag release and locking mechanism and find no problems but it still has cycling issues then for sure just send it in and get it fixed. Something isn't right. It should work fine every time. So far mine has been flawless and very satisfying to shoot. The mags were very tight at first but have gotten better after just a few hundred rounds down range and carrying every day fully loaded all the time. Still a bit stiff but the follower runs smoother now.
I do indeed tap the mags to seat the rounds on the rear of the mag.
And YES we always did this with M14 and M16 mags back in the day ....

 

[MP1SG]

in over 2,300 rounds I have had 3 failure to feed's, Never a Lock back just a failure to feed the next round. I attribute that to a break In period, In the last 600 rounds or so it hasn't happened. I'll shoot more tomorrow (at least another 200 rounds and see what happens

I also had a mag pop out 3 times while firing, But after changing out the mag release it has not happened again.

 

[Donn]

Decided to give the 45 one more try yesterday. 50rds of FMJ ran flawlessly thru both mags. Holding off sending it back just now. We'll see how it runs next time, go from there.

 

[MP1SG]

Donn
are you right handed?
if so its possible that your thumbs or thumb is riding up and making contact with the slide lock. try shooting left handed, It only take slight pressure to engage that lock regardless if the mag is loaded or not.

 

[Gomez93]

guess I'll be sending my Shield 45 to S&W soon, the FTF issue keeps happening, though not as often, for my off duty carry weapon, once is too often! I love the weapon, wow do I ever! but I believe when I get it back it will be traded in on a Glock, I'm undecided on the model

Sent from my S7 Edge on Tapatalk

I bought a Glock 30S this spring and at first could not get through a magazine without either a FTF or FTE. Very frustrating but I found my answer on a XD forum: apply 4 times as much oil and shoot it! After some 300 rounds it loosened up and will fire factory loads 100% but I still have problems with some reloads that I had loaded a little light for the wife. My 'full power' reloads work fine. This tells me it just had/has a very tight fit and needs more break-in.
Perhaps the .45 Shield is the same?

 

[Donn]

Donn
are you right handed?
if so its possible that your thumbs or thumb is riding up and making contact with the slide lock. try shooting left handed, It only take slight pressure to engage that lock regardless if the mag is loaded or not.

Anything's possible I guess. I've been shooting auto pistols a long time, mostly my M&P's in recent years. Never had that happen before. BTW, shooting left-handed is part of the weekly drill.

 

[shotguntom]

I have had the issue of slide locking back on a loaded mag also. I see it as the magazine causing the issue. Each time it happened, the cartridge wasnt up high enough in the mag for it to be picked up. The pistol functioned as though the mag was empty. Im going to be conscious of loading and tapping the mag to keep rounds back in the magazine. I believe the issue will be gone.
As an aside. 450 rounds through the gun. Locked backed 5 times with 4 different factory magazines

 

[MP1SG]

Anything's possible I guess. I've been shooting auto pistols a long time, mostly my M&P's in recent years. Never had that happen before. BTW, shooting left-handed is part of the weekly drill.

Yes, but on the full size M&Ps its less likely because you have more of a grip to hold onto and your fingers and thumbs are further away from the controls (more space on the grip) The smaller the grip (Shields) the more likely your thumb/s will come in contact with the guns controls,(less space on the grip) ie slide stop, mag release.
Did the slide lock back while shooting left handed.