I agree the magazine catch appears to have minimal engagement, but my Ruger LC9 has even less engagement and has never dropped. The LC9 magazine seems to be a much tighter fit in the mag well though than the .45 Shield, so it probably has less play between the magazine and the release catch and doesn't need as much engagement to work well.
Shield .45 mag dropping
- Thread starter M.Yurco
- Start date
Nah, I made damn sure it wasn't me. Verified solid mag engagement and was nowhere near the mag release button. Just insufficient mag to mag catch engagement along with some excessplay between the mag and the mag well. All of the above are stacking up to allow the mag to drop under Recoil. The catch itself needs to be bigger to give more engagement or the mag dimensions need to be changed to provide reliable engagement without impacting drop free operation while reloading. I'm gonna send it back and let S&W figure it out. I know some have did the Rube Goldberg magazine fix using a punch on the magazine body to create more engagement, but I'm not keen on such kitchen table modifications. This does not fix the root cause of the problem and you open yourself up to other problems. Hopefully it is just an isolated defective mag catch that can just be replaced. But, it seems like others have the same issue indicating a bad manufacturing run or a dimensional design problem. Should be easy to resolve as long as S&W identifies the cause and corrects it. I'm sure they will.
Lot of posters on this thread don't seem to be reading all the comments prior to posting suggestions.
And update to my previous post in this thread:
I've since sent the .45 Shield back to S&W for a second time. The first time they replaced the mag catch, the second time, they replaced it again and gave me new followers to replace. After the second time it came back "fixed" it still dropped magazines.
Nothing stuck in the mag catch. Magazines were fully seated (please...). Multiple types and manufacturers of ammo were used. Fired the gun with one hand, so touching the mag release couldn't happen. Fired while an RSO watched. RSO fired the gun, too. I again rented the range's .45 Shield and fired it with no mag drops. The mag drops on my gun continued...
This is after S&W claimed it was fixed and tested, twice.
I noticed that the six round mag dropped between round 4 and 3, which is where the follower passes by the mag catch slot. I would load the six round mag full, get to the third round remaining, the mag would drop, and I'd add one round. Fire. The mag would drop again. Add a round, fire, mag would drop again. Add a round, fire, mag would drop again. Add a round, fire, mag would drop again. After I did this for 10-12 times, I decided I'd had enough.
Criticize me all you like, blame the fact there is a piece of paper in the mag catch spring, or claim I can't correctly place a magazine into a gun, but I've seen enough of the .45 Shield. I'm only passing this along so others can be aware and make up their own minds. Maybe there is a defect in the polymer grip, but I'm not going to own this gun long enough to find out if a fix comes in. With over 1,000 rounds through it, I can't afford to keep playing "see if S&W has fixed this gun."
As always, before you carry a carry gun, make double sure it operates correctly.
And update to my previous post in this thread:
I've since sent the .45 Shield back to S&W for a second time. The first time they replaced the mag catch, the second time, they replaced it again and gave me new followers to replace. After the second time it came back "fixed" it still dropped magazines.
Nothing stuck in the mag catch. Magazines were fully seated (please...). Multiple types and manufacturers of ammo were used. Fired the gun with one hand, so touching the mag release couldn't happen. Fired while an RSO watched. RSO fired the gun, too. I again rented the range's .45 Shield and fired it with no mag drops. The mag drops on my gun continued...
This is after S&W claimed it was fixed and tested, twice.
I noticed that the six round mag dropped between round 4 and 3, which is where the follower passes by the mag catch slot. I would load the six round mag full, get to the third round remaining, the mag would drop, and I'd add one round. Fire. The mag would drop again. Add a round, fire, mag would drop again. Add a round, fire, mag would drop again. Add a round, fire, mag would drop again. After I did this for 10-12 times, I decided I'd had enough.
Criticize me all you like, blame the fact there is a piece of paper in the mag catch spring, or claim I can't correctly place a magazine into a gun, but I've seen enough of the .45 Shield. I'm only passing this along so others can be aware and make up their own minds. Maybe there is a defect in the polymer grip, but I'm not going to own this gun long enough to find out if a fix comes in. With over 1,000 rounds through it, I can't afford to keep playing "see if S&W has fixed this gun."
As always, before you carry a carry gun, make double sure it operates correctly.
747
you def got a lemon of a gun. Like I've posted in this thread my Shield 45 had the same problem. I have the mag catch replaced and that fixed the issue (I am fortunate to live about 1 hr from S&W).
I would hope S&W would refund the gun or the shop where it was bought. It be somewhat comforting that the Other Shield 45s you tested were problem free. Sounds like an entirely new gun would be your next course of action.
Love my shield although love my Glock 22 better
you def got a lemon of a gun. Like I've posted in this thread my Shield 45 had the same problem. I have the mag catch replaced and that fixed the issue (I am fortunate to live about 1 hr from S&W).
I would hope S&W would refund the gun or the shop where it was bought. It be somewhat comforting that the Other Shield 45s you tested were problem free. Sounds like an entirely new gun would be your next course of action.
Love my shield although love my Glock 22 better
Love/Hate
Thanks MP1SG. The wild thing, is that I absolutely love my Shield 9. I carry it daily and with several thousand rounds through it, not a single hiccup. That is one fantastic gun. It's against that backdrop that surprised me so much about the Shield .45. I figured it was a lemon and actually asked S&W for another gun, or at least another "lower" polymer section, but they ignored that request, so I'm not sure what I'll do with it. It was also frustrating to come back twice as "fixed".
The gunsmith at my range said, "Time to make you a Glock man." LOL
Thanks MP1SG. The wild thing, is that I absolutely love my Shield 9. I carry it daily and with several thousand rounds through it, not a single hiccup. That is one fantastic gun. It's against that backdrop that surprised me so much about the Shield .45. I figured it was a lemon and actually asked S&W for another gun, or at least another "lower" polymer section, but they ignored that request, so I'm not sure what I'll do with it. It was also frustrating to come back twice as "fixed".
The gunsmith at my range said, "Time to make you a Glock man." LOL
At this point (if it were mine) I would probably suspect a twisted or otherwise magwell/grip. You can insert the mag into just the frame (slide off) and check clearance of the mag, side to side. I once had a cheapo polymer pistol with that problem.
I hear your frustration with S&W and agree. Sounds like they just tried mags with no rounds, and mags engaged correctly at the factory. Had they duplicated your loading, etc, they might have experienced the same issue.
I hear your frustration with S&W and agree. Sounds like they just tried mags with no rounds, and mags engaged correctly at the factory. Had they duplicated your loading, etc, they might have experienced the same issue.
Damn, that sucks bro. Just shippped mine back today. Customer Service guy was real nice. Seemed like he knew of the issue and said they definitely needed to check it out. Asked me if this was the first time I sent it back, so I had a hunch they are seeing return trips for the problem. I too don't want to blow through 500 rounds every time to prove the gun. Gets expensive real fast with .45 ACP. Hopefully, they get it right the first time. I definitely will need to run a bunch through because my problem started at the 150 round mark. If it happens again, I'm not sure what I will do with it. I spoke with another guy at work and I told him I was having the issue, and he said, "Wow, my brother just bought one and he experienced dropped magazines last time out, but he thought it was maybe something he did." Nope....Houston, he's got a problem.
kannonvaggon
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I would send it back, with the mags.... and make a call to the center manager to explain your issues and lack of resolution. They must make it right. The Shield 45 design functions just great for almost all of us, so the center's job is to make your pistol function properly or replace it. I would want it replaced if'n it was mine, along with testing prior to shipping and a message from the center manager to that effect. This is a defensive weapon and MUST be stone reliable as well as effective.
Mine works great, and I would not accept anything else.
YMMV
Mine works great, and I would not accept anything else.
YMMV
Will be interesting to see what the problem is. Seems like the 45 has been out around a year now. For the most part, these 45's have been very reliable, considering so many positive postings over this last year. Doesn't sound like a design problem, but something in manufacturing. Perhaps a twisted polymer grip, as someone suggested.
Personally, I've shot all kinds of factory ammunition through mine, as well as hundreds of reloads in various bullet weights, types, and design. Not a single malfunction.
Personally, I've shot all kinds of factory ammunition through mine, as well as hundreds of reloads in various bullet weights, types, and design. Not a single malfunction.
Wee Hooker
Member
Perhaps I should have used the word "evident" instead of "viable". I understand that the spring is easy to see ( as in all M&P's). My point is that the fact that it's there and in place does not give you a 100% solution to the probable cause. In the case of my Glock, the problem was not obvious at all (and was not the spring). It was eventually solved by methodical parts inspection, comparison and replacement.
The best result would be: we found X part out of tolerance, replaced it, and tested it thoroughly with success, and if it happens again, we will replace the gun.
It gets sketchy when they just Easter Egg the likely components and hope they got it. If it fails after going back once, then it means they don't know what to fix and probably can't fix it. Given the other positive experiences people have had, I am hopeful to have a good outcome. I really like the gun, and had a custom holster made after 150 flawless rounds. I was gonna run a couple hundred more rounds through and call her solid for duty, then this occurred.
If I have a second failure, then I will insist on a replacement or refund. Too expensive to play the Easter Egg game, and I am not going to dump a lemon on some other poor unsuspecting soul. I would rather have it melted down and move on. I will let you all know how my warranty work goes after I get it back and thoroughly test it. So far, my experience with customer service has been top notch, and I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
It gets sketchy when they just Easter Egg the likely components and hope they got it. If it fails after going back once, then it means they don't know what to fix and probably can't fix it. Given the other positive experiences people have had, I am hopeful to have a good outcome. I really like the gun, and had a custom holster made after 150 flawless rounds. I was gonna run a couple hundred more rounds through and call her solid for duty, then this occurred.
If I have a second failure, then I will insist on a replacement or refund. Too expensive to play the Easter Egg game, and I am not going to dump a lemon on some other poor unsuspecting soul. I would rather have it melted down and move on. I will let you all know how my warranty work goes after I get it back and thoroughly test it. So far, my experience with customer service has been top notch, and I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
If this is true the follower is popping the release open...Probly not.
Do this, take the slide off your m&p. Then take a mag apart. Insert the mag into the frame and then look and see how much the mag release engages the cut out. Giggle the mag. I suspect the mag catch/release is short. Ask s&w for a couple different mag release and measure them and replace yourself. Or bend the notch in the mag slightly out to catch the release.
S&W outsources a lot of parts and springs. They assemble and test. If they have a bad batch of mag release then tell them you need another.
Otherwise tell them you want a new one. This one is ****.
Do this, take the slide off your m&p. Then take a mag apart. Insert the mag into the frame and then look and see how much the mag release engages the cut out. Giggle the mag. I suspect the mag catch/release is short. Ask s&w for a couple different mag release and measure them and replace yourself. Or bend the notch in the mag slightly out to catch the release.
S&W outsources a lot of parts and springs. They assemble and test. If they have a bad batch of mag release then tell them you need another.
Otherwise tell them you want a new one. This one is ****.
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Thanks for the reply guys.I am a retired Sergeant from an Ohio Sheriff's Dept. with 40 years of shooting experience.I am also a Glock armorer.The mag releases are similar.
I had my son video my shooting grip.We could not see where I hit the mag release.I recently bought 3 new magazines to try out.If that doesn't work, I will send it back to Smith & Wesson.
I had my son video my shooting grip.We could not see where I hit the mag release.I recently bought 3 new magazines to try out.If that doesn't work, I will send it back to Smith & Wesson.
In my case at least, it appears to be related to grip. I haven't had a mag drop since I started working on changing my grip. I have now done a lot more shooting with the new grip as well as a new stance and have not had any of the problems I was having before, including mag drops. No more failures to feed or slide problems. It all seems to have to do with recoil management.
I never had a grip problem before, but I never had such a small and light .45 either. I think the gun requires a different grip than what had been working fine for me with other guns.
This may not be case for everybody, but it sure is having a big effect for me.
I never had a grip problem before, but I never had such a small and light .45 either. I think the gun requires a different grip than what had been working fine for me with other guns.
This may not be case for everybody, but it sure is having a big effect for me.
I had a mag drop twice when loaded with Federal Premium Hydra-Shok 185 g (+P). When I loaded the same mag with Freedom Munitions 230 g remanufactured ammo, the mag did not drop. I loaded other mags with Speer LE Gold Dot 185 g and the Freedom Munitions, and none dropped.
The extra recoil of the (+P) ammo caused the muzzle to flip up more than with the other ammo, which caused my right-hand thumb to accidently engage the mag release. Once I figured out what was going on, I adjusted my grip. Also, I will not be using the Hydra-Shok or any (+P) for SD in the .45 Shield.
The extra recoil of the (+P) ammo caused the muzzle to flip up more than with the other ammo, which caused my right-hand thumb to accidently engage the mag release. Once I figured out what was going on, I adjusted my grip. Also, I will not be using the Hydra-Shok or any (+P) for SD in the .45 Shield.
19ontheslide
Member
My own experience with the M&P 45 Shield mimics that of outflyin. The first two or three times I shot it, I had several instances of mags dropping during firing, and the problem seemed to be worse with the extended 7 round mag than the flush-fit 6 rounder. I immediately thought to myself, "Oh, crud. I'm one of the unlucky people who got one of those MAG-DROPPING pistols!!" But then I decided to make extra double sure that it was a gun problem and not a user problem. Once I deliberately started shooting one handed and consciously keeping all digits well away from the mag release.....lo and behold, problem solved. My beloved, FLETC-inspired two hand choke hold on the gun had been inadvertently hitting the mag release, causing my problem. Now, it's important to remember that I am NOT saying that all M&P 45 Shield mag dropping issues are simply operator error; it's very possible that there are some examples out there that do need to go back in for repair/replacement. All I'm saying is that I thought for a long while that I was the recipient of one of those guns and it turns out....I wasn't. I was just running the gun incorrectly. FYI.
Maybe someone should make a low profile mag release button. Maybe flush with the grip. We seem to be seeing more than a few reports of inadvertently dropping the mag. Adjusting for it is fine but in a stressful situation it may not be the best strategy.
Watchdog
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I have a recently purchased .45 Shield. I haven't experienced your problem. That said, although I like the trigger, I like the grip texture, and I like the way they did the loaded chamber indicator...there's something about the pistol that just doesn't feel right when I'm shooting it. Nothing has malfunctioned so far and there's nothing tangible I can put my finger on that seems wrong. The pistol simply doesn't inspire confidence for me. Maybe it just doesn't feel solid in my hand, I don't know. I'm probably going to sell or trade it soon. I've already stopped carrying it and gone back to my Glock 30S. The Shield was an impulse buy, anyway, and the impulse has passed.
So I'm with you on this. Matter of fact, you're way more patient than I'd have been. Stop playing the ship-back-and-forth-to-S&W game. It's past time to ditch this pistol and get something that works, something you are confident in and can depend on.
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