Operator 203
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Just checked the Wolff website for extra power magazine springs. No listing for the 45 Shield.
Shield 45 issue
- Thread starter Donn
- Start date
As others have mentioned, when these magazines are new the springs are extremely stiff. I've had many semi-autos and have never before felt the need for a magazine loader, but I sure thought I was going to have to go that route with this one. Fortunately with a little use they became easier to load. They are still the hardest to load that I've ever had, but manageable now. Unfortunately along with that came the failure to feed problems.
I recently bought a Shield .45. I have somewhat the same problem. I've only used the 7 rounder, but it won't chamber a round with 7 in the mag. So I load 6, chamber one, then pull out the mag and then it will take the 7 rounds in the mag. I had one actual FTF, but I think that might have been me limp wristing??, but pulling the slide back to chamber a round, I'm having some issues. Slide feels quite gritty when racking also.
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That gritty feeling is only there on mine with a full mag. I assume it's from the pressure of the fully compressed mag spring. After the first round or two, it pretty much goes away.
Stopped by dealer and he was able to rack/load my pistol. He advised to keep the mags loaded as these new springs are brutal. My range is outside, so not a lot of rounds through mine either. I haven't had any slide locking open problems "yet". I"ll check in on this thread for more user info and if anything changes on my end. Thanks to all posters.
Cleaned gun and mags. Ran 4 magazines through. Had only two malfunctions. They were both failure to pick up a round with normal slide cycle, slide not stuck.
Since I've been working on a better grip I'm seeing positive results. The symptoms have definitely changed and for the better.
I'm wondering if the skinny grip on this gun might be a factor for my hands.
Since I've been working on a better grip I'm seeing positive results. The symptoms have definitely changed and for the better.
I'm wondering if the skinny grip on this gun might be a factor for my hands.
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My 45 shield has the same issue. Slide locking back, ammo in mag with bullet tip down. I have sent it back again. The first time they said they polished the barrel and chamber. Not sure how that would solve the problem. They said they fired it and no problem. After getting it back the first time I fired 1 shot and it locked back. Reset the slide and continued to run through that mag. Happens again on another mag. So I sent it on back. Don't think I'll be buying any more new Smith & Wessons.
How long were you without it the first time you sent it in?
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Hello everyone, New to site, and a new S&W owner.
I just got a .45 shield and did what you all said, load the mags, let sit for a week, rack back slide as well. I went to the range and sure enough i have the FTF issue like many on here. I had a friend and a RSO shoot it as well, and same issues. We shot 100 rounds of magtec and had 11 FTF and 3 mag drops. What i did notice is on a full mag when i pull the slide back (not a full rack) the striker plate rides on top of the round, this is where my gritty resistance is coming from, i can let go of the slide (if im doing is slow) and it will stay put where i stopped because it is stuck on the round. I called S&W and they claim this is all part of a break in period, to put another 100 or so rounds in then call them back. Back the range this weekend then.
I just got a .45 shield and did what you all said, load the mags, let sit for a week, rack back slide as well. I went to the range and sure enough i have the FTF issue like many on here. I had a friend and a RSO shoot it as well, and same issues. We shot 100 rounds of magtec and had 11 FTF and 3 mag drops. What i did notice is on a full mag when i pull the slide back (not a full rack) the striker plate rides on top of the round, this is where my gritty resistance is coming from, i can let go of the slide (if im doing is slow) and it will stay put where i stopped because it is stuck on the round. I called S&W and they claim this is all part of a break in period, to put another 100 or so rounds in then call them back. Back the range this weekend then.
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Welcome to the forum.
Please let us know how it works out when you get it back.
I shot two more mags with half hollow point and half ball ammo using the .45 Shield Hogue Handall that I just got.
No issues so far.
Operator 203
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Went to the range today with my 45 Shield, my buddy and his 45 Shield, and another friend. My Shield was stored with the slide locked to the rear for 3 weeks. The 4 magazines were fully loaded and for 3 weeks. All rounds fired were factory ball. All firing was initiated by locking the slide to the rear, inserting a fully loaded 6 round magazine, and either slingshoting it or depressing the slide lock lever. Two handed slow aimed fire at a silhouette 7 yards away.
1. I shot his Shield with my magazines – on the first magazine a FTF of the 2nd round in the magazine. Also happened again on the third round in the magazine. Rounds getting hung up on the bottom edge of the locking block. Had additional FTF’s with the other magazines.
2. He shot my Shield with his magazines – he had the same FTF as above on the first magazine fired in my gun.
3. I shot my Shield with my magazines – same FTF issues.
4. My other friend shot my Shield with my magazines – all rounds fed and fired. No malfs. He was using a stiff armed isosceles triangle hold when firing.
5. I normally shoot the modified weaver stance with both arms slightly bent. Stiffened up my arms and shot several magazines of double taps – no malfunctions.
6. I tried some one arm retention shooting at the 1 yard line and fired several magazines without malfunctions.
So it looks like my shooting style is not compatible with this pistol. I will follow up in another post with a possible mechanical issue.
1. I shot his Shield with my magazines – on the first magazine a FTF of the 2nd round in the magazine. Also happened again on the third round in the magazine. Rounds getting hung up on the bottom edge of the locking block. Had additional FTF’s with the other magazines.
2. He shot my Shield with his magazines – he had the same FTF as above on the first magazine fired in my gun.
3. I shot my Shield with my magazines – same FTF issues.
4. My other friend shot my Shield with my magazines – all rounds fed and fired. No malfs. He was using a stiff armed isosceles triangle hold when firing.
5. I normally shoot the modified weaver stance with both arms slightly bent. Stiffened up my arms and shot several magazines of double taps – no malfunctions.
6. I tried some one arm retention shooting at the 1 yard line and fired several magazines without malfunctions.
So it looks like my shooting style is not compatible with this pistol. I will follow up in another post with a possible mechanical issue.
Operator 203
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Took the Shield home and broke it down to clean it. After taking the slide off I took a hard look at the lower edge of the locking block and noted a distinctive edge/ridge where the rounds are catching. Then I inserted a magazine into the well and fully seated it. Seems that when the magazine is in place the front part of the magazine almost touches the bottom of the locking block. The thickness of the front of the magazine is practically the same and the protruding edge of the locking block meaning the magazine and locking block are practically flush. Then I stripped the internals from the magazine and fully inserted just the magazine body back into the Shield without the follower or magazine spring. I noted that even fully seated and held by the magazine catch, the magazine body can move up and down about 1/16 of an inch. When the magazine is fully up into the frame there is virtually no gap between the bottom of the locking block and the front edge of the magazine. When the magazine is fully down there is about 1/16 inch space between the bottom of the locking block and the front edge of the magazine. That is enough space to allow the round to catch on the bottom of the locking block. When the magazine is reassembled, and inserted into the frame, the spring and follower push the magazine down opening up that 1/16 inch gap between the bottom of the feed ramp and the front edge of the magazine. So it appears the magazine catch is undersized allowing up and down movement of the magazine and that may have something to do with my reliability issues.
Obviously I am not a gunsmith. The above observations and conclusions are pure speculation on my part. But they could be a factor in some of the feeding and magazine dropping issues. I will probably call S&W and see if they are willing to take a look at it again.
Obviously I am not a gunsmith. The above observations and conclusions are pure speculation on my part. But they could be a factor in some of the feeding and magazine dropping issues. I will probably call S&W and see if they are willing to take a look at it again.
Operator203,
Sounds similar to what I've been experiencing. I forgot to mention previously that in addition to changing my grip, I also changed my stance from a Weaver type that I've only recently been trying since before getting the Shield, back to an Isosceles which I had always used before and seem to have worked around the problem. I don't really like the fact that I've had to make such changes to get the gun to work well. I noticed the sloppiness of the magazines too, figured it was just due to the stiff springs.
Would be nice if it could be corrected so I don't have to work so hard to get it to work reliably.
Thanks for the detailed report. Sounds like you might be on to something.
Sounds similar to what I've been experiencing. I forgot to mention previously that in addition to changing my grip, I also changed my stance from a Weaver type that I've only recently been trying since before getting the Shield, back to an Isosceles which I had always used before and seem to have worked around the problem. I don't really like the fact that I've had to make such changes to get the gun to work well. I noticed the sloppiness of the magazines too, figured it was just due to the stiff springs.
Would be nice if it could be corrected so I don't have to work so hard to get it to work reliably.
Thanks for the detailed report. Sounds like you might be on to something.
I went back to range last weekend, had one FTF with first round. Something weird, the top of shell casing was crimped. I racked it out, and just opened a new box of WWB ammo. The mag now loads like a dream. Shot 50 rounds and no issue. I'm in Mass and waiting for better weather to get back out and chalk up some more rounds. It was so weird with the spring being SOOOO friggin stiff. I haven't tried the 6rd mag at all as I like the grip on the 7 only. Still getting used to POA on this one. Seems like I really have to raise up the nose and aim over target compared to my other MP with Tru Glo sights.
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Sent mine back in yesterday, here is the note i sent with it.
I am returning my M&P Shield .45 as I have had to many failure to feed issues and mag drops.
I have put only 200 rounds through and experienced an estimate of 20 plus FTF and countless mag drops. Mag drops happen if a FTF occurs and sometimes even if a round loads. I am not sure if the recoil is causing the mag pin to move or if the FTF is forcing the mag out. I have 2 types of ammo. Magtec 230 grain and Winchester White. I also had my RSO fire the gun as well to ensure it was not my grip or user error, he shot 3 full mags and experienced 2 FTF and 1 mag drop.
I am returning my M&P Shield .45 as I have had to many failure to feed issues and mag drops.
I have put only 200 rounds through and experienced an estimate of 20 plus FTF and countless mag drops. Mag drops happen if a FTF occurs and sometimes even if a round loads. I am not sure if the recoil is causing the mag pin to move or if the FTF is forcing the mag out. I have 2 types of ammo. Magtec 230 grain and Winchester White. I also had my RSO fire the gun as well to ensure it was not my grip or user error, he shot 3 full mags and experienced 2 FTF and 1 mag drop.
Ran four more magazines through, hollow points and ball, all Winchester White Box. Not a single hiccup.
From my experience with this gun so far, it seems to me that it might require a firmer grip technique than some other guns, which makes sense because it's a short barrel, very compact, lightweight package for a .45 caliber.
Those who already have a real solid, firm grip may not experience any issues, but others like me may have been getting along fine without any problems using a less firm grip with other guns and not realizing it.
It is strange that I and others have reported that it worked fine at first, but then started having malfunctions after a short period of use. I think this may have to do with the stiffness of the magazine springs when new. My problems seemed to start about the same time as the magazines became easier to load. Maybe the original stiffness of the magazine springs was making up for the problems caused by the less firm grip.
There may be more to it than that as well but anyway, that's my theory at this point.
From my experience with this gun so far, it seems to me that it might require a firmer grip technique than some other guns, which makes sense because it's a short barrel, very compact, lightweight package for a .45 caliber.
Those who already have a real solid, firm grip may not experience any issues, but others like me may have been getting along fine without any problems using a less firm grip with other guns and not realizing it.
It is strange that I and others have reported that it worked fine at first, but then started having malfunctions after a short period of use. I think this may have to do with the stiffness of the magazine springs when new. My problems seemed to start about the same time as the magazines became easier to load. Maybe the original stiffness of the magazine springs was making up for the problems caused by the less firm grip.
There may be more to it than that as well but anyway, that's my theory at this point.
