Shield .45 mag dropping

[M.Yurco]

I have a new Shield pistol in .45 caliber.I am a left handed shooter and this is my 4th Shield pistol.2 or 3 times per mag, the magazine drops out to the gun. I do not see where my grip is causing any problems.Anyone else have a problem with the mag disengaging?

Mickey

 

[grimes1965]

For what its worth, left handed Shield shooter here and had the same problem with the difference that mine is a 9mm and only occured with 8 round magazine. After considerable trial and error and watched closely by a spotter I was hitting the mag release with the middle finger of my left hand. It only happened with a very strong 2 handed grip, holding as high as possible on the grip. Using a slip on Hogue grip sleeve eliminated the problem (slightly changed the position of my fingers on the grip?) but I dislike slip on grips sleeves. So, a solution I found here and a few other places was to use a punch and put a slight raised "bump" on the magazine catch slot on the magazine so that the mag catch grabs a larger section of the magazine. Crude but it works. In 1,500 rounds since this modification mags are retained 100% of the time.

 

[Granddad]

I'm a "righty" but no such problem through 600 rounds. Does it happen with all of your magazines (i.e., determine if it is a mag issue or a gun/shooter issue)? You might let someone else have a go with it to see if they have the same issue (or have them watch you closely to see if you are bumping the release). As a last resort, call S&W to discuss the issue.

 

[FLS&W]

I had that happen to my 7 round magazine. As a matter of fact, it happened to 3 shooters on the same day. Sent it back to S&W and got it back with new innards.

 

[747]

.45 Shield Mags dropping

Anyone else have a problem with the mag disengaging?

My .45 Shield, purchased new, dropped both the six and seven round mags. Even after 500 rounds through it, the six round mag would drop every time, usually after the third round. Sent back to S&W for repair, they replaced the mag catch and sent it back to me in a few days.

The next range session, the seven round mag dropped a few times, but the six round mag dropped about every third mag, even with multiple brands of ammo. It dropped when firing one handed, it dropped with a firm two handed grip, it dropped with a relaxed grip, it dropped with fingers intentionally held out of the way of any potential touching of the release, and it dropped even when observed from the side by RSO's (Range Safety Officers).

The range had a rental .45 Shield and they let me use their mags in mine. They dropped. I rented the range's .45 Shield and their mags and no drops. I used my mags in their gun (shhh, don't tell them) and they didn't drop.

The gun is currently back at S&W for a second time. It's been several weeks with no word from them, but with around 800 rounds through the gun, I can't afford to keep blowing $100 on ammo to test a "fixed" $400 gun.

My buddy has one, I've shot it, loved it, and bought one because I enjoyed it so much. Of his, the range rental, and mine; mine is the only one to drop mags and I'm really hoping the second fix is for real. If not, I'm not sure what I'll do.

 

[Rpg]

Any pistol that drops mags like that is obviously useless as a sd gun.

Sounds like Smith needs to go back to the drawing board, at least on the 45 for leftys.

Perhaps the geometry of the wider 45 makes direct transfer of the mag release mechanism from the 9 unworkable.

Sounds like it needs reengineering in the 45

 

[CoMF]

Nope. Can't say it's happened to me in either hand, but I have small hands.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have a new Shield pistol in .45 caliber.I am a left handed shooter and this is my 4th Shield pistol.2 or 3 times per mag, the magazine drops out to the gun. I do not see where my grip is causing any problems.Anyone else have a problem with the mag disengaging?

Mickey

Here we go again.

Mag drops, light strikes, etc., etc.

What is wrong with S&W these days?

 

[MP1SG]

I have a Shield 45 where the mags dropped (6 and 7 round) when first bought. Replaced the Mag catch and the fixed the problem.
1SG
Out

 

[Lordvice]

I am a lefty also, I have a 45 shield, have not had a magazine drop yet. Own 3 mags for this gun, I have fired 1,000 rounds through the gun thus far.

 

[Ray M]

Yes, same problem here developed after about 150 rounds. Both magazines and frequency is getting worse. Definitely not me. At first I just thought I may have hit the mag release or maybe did not fully seat the mags. I verified mags were in and engaged, watched to make sure I was not hitting the release, shifted to one hand only, and they still drop. My first S&W product, so not a good start. A google search revealed the same issue on the .40 Shield on this forum a couple of years ago. I'll give them a shot at making it right, but my confidence in it for CCW is greatly diminished...and CCW is the whole purpose. It shoots and handles well, but mag drops which also causes a difficult to clear FTF will get you dead.

 

[LAA]

I truly wonder, if anyone having all of these problems, looks inside the mag well with a flashlight, to see the actual problem. I see too many complaints, where the new owner makes claims of unreliability, can't trust this piece of c-r-a-p, would never CC this thing, and so on.

It's really simplicity of operation. Doesn't take a lot of mechanical aptitude to see what's happening. I'm just surprised that so many will just send it back, without really taking a bit of time to see just what is, or isn't happening.

And yes, I'll probably take some flak on my opinion. Thing is, I've always had that bit of mechanical ability, to figure out some things on my own. I just don't wholesale dismiss the product, as so many appear to do.

 

[LAA]

I'll get right to the point. Look in the mag well. You'll see the the spring steel rod connected to the mag release button. It pushes a small catch back & forth, that slips into the notch of the mag. Extremely simple! All most everyone should be able to see if there is a problem here. I believe that most Shield owners should already know what the exact problem is, or isn't, before writing their complaint.

Same thing happens on the AR forums. Especially where owners try building their own weapons. Some don't have a clue about what's going on, and don't take the time to find out. It's just complaint city.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I'll get right to the point. Look in the mag well. You'll see the the spring steel rod connected to the mag release button. It pushes a small catch back & forth, that slips into the notch of the mag. Extremely simple! All most everyone should be able to see if there is a problem here. I believe that most Shield owners should already know what the exact problem is, or isn't, before writing their complaint.

Same thing happens on the AR forums. Especially where owners try building their own weapons. Some don't have a clue about what's going on, and don't take the time to find out. It's just complaint city.

While inspection of this point may be helpful, the problem may/may not be visible in that mechanism. I had a Glock once that dropped mags. The spring was in place and looked just fine. After much experimentation it turned out to be that the mag catch itself was a few thousandths under sized.
To the point though, it's not unreasonable for the OP who paid $400 for a new gun, to expect it to run right out of the box. He wasn't badmouthing the gun. Just asking a simple question. Not everybody has the want or skills to dig into their guns. That's what warranties and gunsmiths are for. Clearly if S&W intended only sell to mechanically inclined folks, it would be a much smaller company today.

FWIW, I would agree that there is allot of whining on other sites where folks cobble AR's, 10/22's (and others) together without proper skills or knowledge. I don't see that here though.

 

[LAA]

While inspection of this point may be helpful, the problem may/may not be visible in that mechanism.

As to the Shield, it's very visible. There could be a piece of paper caught in it, etc. Does the user tap the bottom of the mag, to make sure it's seated, etc. As far as my thoughts go, this doesn't apply directly to the OP. Just a generalized reaction, to comments in this thread, as well as other threads of this type. With the Shield, it's really a easy product to shine a flashlight in the mag well. A problem should be very obvious. If something is broke, it's broke. If anything is catching the mechanism, then clean it out.

 

[AlHunt]

I truly wonder, if anyone having all of these problems, looks inside the mag well with a flashlight, to see the actual problem. I see too many complaints, where the new owner makes claims of unreliability, can't trust this piece of c-r-a-p, would never CC this thing, and so on.

It's really simplicity of operation. Doesn't take a lot of mechanical aptitude to see what's happening. I'm just surprised that so many will just send it back, without really taking a bit of time to see just what is, or isn't happening.

And yes, I'll probably take some flak on my opinion. Thing is, I've always had that bit of mechanical ability, to figure out some things on my own. I just don't wholesale dismiss the product, as so many appear to do.

It doesn't seem like expecting a newly purchased item to work as advertised is unreasonable. It's not like he bought the buggy BETA version or something. And why not ask if anyone else has the same problem? Wouldn't be much of a forum if nobody ever asked any questions.

 

[outflyin]

I'm right-handed and having the same problem. Tried some left-handed and it didn't happen.

I've shined a flashlight in the mag well. Still does it.

 

[Pistolpete2]

I'm having the same problem I'm going to roll the dice and try a new magazine release.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[outflyin]

Seriously though, I haven't had any mag drops since working on improving my grip, but haven't done enough shooting yet to confirm.

 

[Ray M]

Um, yeah LAA....I shined a light in and looked all by myself. It looks fine, but she no work. I dare say the catch is undersized providing minimal engagement and recoil is sufficient to cause it to disengage. Could be a design issue, could be a manufacturing anomaly. Your right, it's a simple problem, and hopefully S&W will fix it once and for all. I'll certainly give them that opportunity.