I agree. Seems like a bunch of tolerance stacking issues. I was eyeballing that spring too! Definitely a tad weak. I may wind up punching the mag frame as well as a workaround. Hate to do that on a carry gun for a bunch of reasons. Only other option is to keep sending it back or trading for a steep loss. Hope I get lucky.
Shield 45 Magazine Drop Issue Mods
- Thread starter ScaryWoody
- Start date
I once again put a lot of ammo through the 45 ACP Shield on Saturday. I was just waiting for the unexpected mag drop (since I'm now aware of a problem). The mag, as before, never dropped before I wanted it to. A friend also shot it. No mag drop. He was there to try out his new 9mm Shield. It didn't drop a mag either.
As far as seeing too many posts, on this particular problem, it's a false perception of reality. One might assume from reading a few posts, that it's widespread. They might assume it's bad design. From all of the very positive Shield 45 reports I've seen during this last year, since it became available, this mag drop problem would be a mere fraction of sales.
As far as seeing too many posts, on this particular problem, it's a false perception of reality. One might assume from reading a few posts, that it's widespread. They might assume it's bad design. From all of the very positive Shield 45 reports I've seen during this last year, since it became available, this mag drop problem would be a mere fraction of sales.
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ScaryWoody
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If you do punch it, just the top needs the lip. Go from the side. I initially used a flathead screwdriver and it pryed it up good put depressed the lower side. Had to file.
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I'm pleased to report that punching is not needed in my case. It would appear that the folks at S&W made me whole with the new mag followers....despite my initial skepticism. I just ran through 220 rounds including Rem UMC FMJ, Blazer FMJ, Golden Sabre, and Federal HST. Absolutely flawless operation. Zero mag drops or any other malfunctions. Deadly accurate at 10 yards and I wasn't even trying to be precise. Before I sent it in, both mags were dropping every time. Weird that it took 150 to start occurring. I wish they would have sent the old followers back to me to compare. I am really curious if there was an obvious difference. I will go ahead and buy more mags and test them out. In any case, looks like I can trust my life to it with confidence. I'm happy to say that. It's a nice pistol and made in the USA.
Here is the long story. After buying my Shield 45, I went to the range and put about 100 rounds through it with no problems. i brought an additional magazine for it. I then started to get the dreaded magazine drop. At first, thought it was me bumping the mag release. But soon released it was the gun. And, it dropped the each of the magazines consistently. I sent the gun back to S&W.
After 4 weeks, I got my Shield 45 back from S&W. They sent me two followers to replace. I've been at the range and the magazine did not drop after 100 rounds. I tried the magazine that did not have a new follower, and sure enough, the magazine dropped. Put about 75 rounds with the new followers and no issues.
I hope this fixes the gun. It's a great carry size, and pretty accurate for a small gun.
After 4 weeks, I got my Shield 45 back from S&W. They sent me two followers to replace. I've been at the range and the magazine did not drop after 100 rounds. I tried the magazine that did not have a new follower, and sure enough, the magazine dropped. Put about 75 rounds with the new followers and no issues.
I hope this fixes the gun. It's a great carry size, and pretty accurate for a small gun.
texagun
Member
Any chance you could post photos of the old and new followers showing the differences? That would be very helpful.
mustangman
Member
Two factory and spare mag from Midway all with old style follower.
Only 120 rounds through, but no problem so far.
I did e-mail S&W about em, and had 3 in the mailbox a week later.
Only 120 rounds through, but no problem so far.
I did e-mail S&W about em, and had 3 in the mailbox a week later.
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