Shield .45

[Dave Nowlin]

The springs in both my mags are very strong. In fact it is a real task to get the last few rounds in the mag. It almost seems like the springs might be hanging up a bit. I will give time for the springs to set and shoot it more before I proclaim there is a problem.

 

[Puckmarin]

The springs in both my mags are very strong. In fact it is a real task to get the last few rounds in the mag. It almost seems like the springs might be hanging up a bit. I will give time for the springs to set and shoot it more before I proclaim there is a problem.

Something I just noticed...

When I left the range yesterday I fully loaded one of my mags, thinking that maybe the spring just needed to be broken in. While I was taking the rounds out of the mag today all of them came out easily except for one in the middle. I had to apply a significant amount of downward pressure to get the round out of the mag.

 

[cp2146]

Crossposting this from Reddit because I'm having some issues with my Shield 45 and would like some insight


THE GOOD

The Shield 45 is only slightly larger than the Shield 9/40 while being about the same size as the Springfield XDS 45. The slide is actually a bit thinner than the XDS. I think but the grip is a bit longer.

The gun is amazing to shoot. I was very surprised. When Shooting my XDS 45 I know I'm shooting a sub-compact 45. When shooting the Shield 45 I'd almost think I was shooting the Shield 9mm if I didn't know better. Recoil is minimal and very well managed.

Trigger is much improved over the Shield 9/40. Nice reset and light trigger pull - probably along the lines of the performance series triggers.

THE BAD

Sadly, I was only able to put about 90 rounds through the gun this trip. After 50 rounds I started to have almost constant failure to feed issues. At least one or two rounds every magazine.

For the record I was using Remmington FMJ. Nothing special. I've previously fired it out of my Glock 30 and XDS with no problems at all.

After the third FTF I asked the NRA instructor at the range for advice. First thought was that maybe the gun was under lubricated - it did feel dry, even though I put a normal amount of grease on it after the initial cleaning. We oiled it up a bit more but the FTF continued to happen.

Same issue with both mags. It looks like the magazines are sometimes not pushing a new round into the chamber when the spent casing ejects. In all instances the round that failed to feed came out with the mag when it was ejected. Most were partially out of the mag.

My next thought is that it's a spring issue. Either they aren't strong enough for the 45 or they are sometimes catching on something in the magazine. I did notice that for new mags the springs seemed very forgiving. The springs on my Shield 40 were tight as hell when I first got it.

I guess I'll take the magazines apart tonight and see if I see anything odd looking.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Yeah, sounds like a mag/spring issue to me. I actually had a similar problem with my .40, but mine didn't start until long after break-in. It turned out to be that the mag was just really dirty and dry. I took it apart and cleaned it and put a drop of oil where the follower travels. I've not had any issues since. Not likely yours is dirty since it is new, but a drop of oil inside might help.

 

[Puckmarin]

Yeah, sounds like a mag/spring issue to me. I actually had a similar problem with my .40, but mine didn't start until long after break-in. It turned out to be that the mag was just really dirty and dry. I took it apart and cleaned it and put a drop of oil where the follower travels. I've not had any issues since. Not likely yours is dirty since it is new, but a drop of oil inside might help.

I think I may have figured it out after taking the slide apart.

There's a little cutout section on the front of the magazines and I think the lip of the follower is getting caught on it. I lubed it up a bit and it seems better. Going to get some fine grain sandpaper and see if I can't smooth things out a bit.

 

[awmp]

Make sure you give us an update.

I think I may have figured it out after taking the slide apart.

There's a little cutout section on the front of the magazines and I think the lip of the follower is getting caught on it. I lubed it up a bit and it seems better. Going to get some fine grain sandpaper and see if I can't smooth things out a bit.

 

[Puckmarin]

Make sure you give us an update.

Happy to, but it probably won't be until Sunday.

 

[ladder13]

Another review


Smith & Wesson Shield 45 Review | Carolina Gunrunners

 

[zork52]

OK, for the first time in my gun owning career, I'm jealous. We can't get this here in CA, but I want one.

I'm glad you got yours and that you like it.

I'm in Mass. I feel your pain. Maybe in a year.................

 

[Dave Nowlin]

I'm a little confused. The falso reset that was spoken of in the review, doesn't happen in mine at all. I tried again and again to make mine do it and it won't. I will admit that I reworked the sear in mine before I ever shot it though. I did dry fire it before I did the work but was really trying to get a feel for the trigger and wasn't paying attention to the reset. Before the work it had enough overtravel that it tended to pull off point of aim when dry firing. After I worked the sear there is almost no overtravel and it stays on point of aim when dry firing. I can't ask for more than that. The total time for the action job I did was maybe 1 1/2 hours or less. What I did was work 2 areas on the sear, polish the area of the triggerbar that contacts the sear and polish the area of the striker that contacts the sear. This little pad on the striker is covered in an oxide finish of some sort that is somewhat rough textured. When this is carefully polished away and a mirror finish established, the trigger pull is smoother. Polishing the surfaces on the sear very carefully after they are slightly recontoured also helps to smooth things up a bit. I'm very satisfied with mine.

 

[ABMI]

Went for another test run today, ran good, put 150 rounds through it without any problems. I do get "shell shocked" a little faster than the 9mm you know, groups opening up & not shooting as good as you know you can. But here are a couple of groups. Also tested the shorter barrel to see if it had any effect on the 230 hst's shot 4 gals of water & it stopped in the 3rd, I don't think the shorter barrel had a big difference.

 

[Magload]

What was the distance on those targets? No matter what the distance those are good groups and a SD range. Wish I had a place to shoot water jugs.

 

[ABMI]

Thanks, Both targets were 8-10 yrds & 6 shots slow fire trying to get the best group I could. The black target was 230gr hst's & the other was prefecta 230gr fmj from wally world. Prefecta is cheap brass cased ammo from Italy I think, 15-16 a box but shoots good so far.

 

[Puckmarin]

A bit of an update on the failure to feed issues I'm having with my Shield 45...

Took the gun out to the range today and had a failure to feed after my first shot. Starting to wonder if maybe the issue isn't with the magazines but maybe with the slide release? Perhaps it's engaging when it shouldn't because each time I have a failure to feed the slide is locked open.

 

[NCW Ray]

A bit of an update on the failure to feed issues I'm having with my Shield 45...

Took the gun out to the range today and had a failure to feed after my first shot. Starting to wonder if maybe the issue isn't with the magazines but maybe with the slide release? Perhaps it's engaging when it shouldn't because each time I have a failure to feed the slide is locked open.

Since the slide is locking open it could be your thumb is pushing up on the Slide Stop Lever during recoil. Try shooting with your left hand and see if it still does it.

 

[Puckmarin]

Since the slide is locking open it could be your thumb is pushing up on the Slide Stop Lever during recoil. Try shooting with your left hand and see if it still does it.

I'll try but the same thing happened with a NRA instructor that shot it.

 

[shooter1911]

M&Ps of any flavor should not FTF or FTE. Call S&W CS, and let them figure it out. Could be anything from an extractor to a faulty spring. Threy will figure it out.

 

[shooter1911]

NEW! Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Shield - YouTube I want one after watching that

I found it interesting that the guy in the video mentioned the distance of the trigger to the blackstrap of the .45 Shield being the same as the 9mm Shield which is 2.725". I measured the same location on my M&P 45C, and it is the same 2.725", which means the Shield, 45C, and full size M&Ps must all be the same dementions in that particular location. Other than that I'm sure the Shield is much slimmer in all respects. I'm anxious to hold one in my hand.

 

[glwanabe]

Stopped by Gander mountain on my way out of town to work this weekend. They have them in stock for 460.00.

The new grip is very aggressive, and Im not sure I like it. The Talon feels much better to me.

 

[Magload]

If you are military or retired military, LEO or retired LEO or first responder Quantico Tactical has them for $360 and $10 shipping. I have bought 4 guns from them. Normally ship in a few days if in stock.

 

[maineultraclassic]

If anyone's LGS has them around $400 and will ship to Maine FFL, let me know. PM or Email me so I can order one, nothing is showing up in my area.

Steve
maineultraclassic "at" maine.rr.com