Shield 9 Magazine Spring Issue

[S&WM&P]

Problem solved

About a month ago, my 7 round mag spring failed. It bent where the coils reduce in size and collapsed in the mag. I only noticed because I couldn't load the 7th round in the mag. At the time I had read that it was a somewhat common problem, so I contacted S&W Customer Service. They said they would send me a new spring, no questions asked, for free. I received the new spring in the mail yesterday, and it does not look like the old spring. For one thing, the termination of the coils on both ends have been bent in at 90 degrees, so neither end will sit properly on the follower. Another difference is the replacement spring is the same width from end to end. It also appears to be a different material than the original ones. Did S&W change the spring design recently, maybe to address the bending issue? Or did I receive the wrong spring for my Shield 9? The packaging it came in says "Mag Spring Shield Rev B". Thanks in advance.

I also received 3 replacement springs like yours with the hook at the ends. I cut the horizontal hook off inside of the spring and very slightly reduced the radius of the bends of the spring so it matched the contours of the follower now the spring fits the follower as good as the original spring did. I don't anticipate any future problems with this issue

 

[phil1967]

Response to Post 14. I had the same difficulty fully loading my 7 round Shield Magazines. Contacted S&W and was told the spring lengths for the 7 and 8 round magazines are the same. Their fix was to leave the 7 round magazines fully loaded for a couple of weeks. Tried that but they were still extremely difficult to fully load. Ended up shortening the 7 round springs slightly and now they fully load fine.

 

[italianguy]

I also have this issue...

Just got the shield 1 week ago and the magazine spring is bent already after just 40 rounds. I'm hoping s&w comes up with a long term fix. This is my 1st s&w and it sure leaves a bad 1st impression. I guess I'll see how quickly they fix mine.

Here's what mine looks like:

 

[Curt1978]

I had this same spring issue twice in 7 round mags. The first was after only one day on the range with the magazine that came with the S&W Shield; it wasn't feeding correctly. Took the mag back to the store and they opened it up and saw the exact thing posted here; they replaced the mag for me. The second time was after around 1,000 rounds. Went to the range today and while ejecting the defensive rounds all wouldn't come out. Opened it up and the spring was bunched up at the same place (like another pic I saw on this thread). Going to call S&W for a replacement. Thanks for the heads-up on the follower.
P.S. I've got another 7 round mag with the same number of rounds through it that has not had this problem.

 

[italianguy]

Update

Update on my issue. S&W sent a replacement spring out in less than a business week. I was impressed with the no questions asked quick service. Although, I did buy another magazine just in case.

 

[IRLJR]

Has anyone tried the Wolff replacement Shield springs? Thoughts?

 

[Deadeye Jake]

Bad springs too and Wolff ordered

Well my new Perf Center 9mm Shield had 125 rounds thru and thew spring failed like all the pics, sooooo being like really pissed I called Wolff and Smith. First ordered good Wolff springs because my trust in smith is gone for this issue! The Perf center said nicely, I'll send 2 free. I said what is wrong...he said if they load fully a few times without failing....then they are good...HAHAHA depend on a carry gun with this ****? Well Wolff snickered and said we have no issue with our springs no worries. The spring I had bend on me is dead soft....it can bend all over and hold that bend and bend back to another form...lol NOT SPRING STEEL IN THE PROPER TEMPER !
omg Smith it is an awesome gun but what the hell ya thinking ??
I hope no deaths happen from **** failing springs ...like no bang !

 

[Deadeye Jake]

Ok I got my Wolff and they are flawless and smooth!
Got my Smith replacements in the mail ! JUNK what ? Yes Junk! They are the same width and not necked down in width like wolff and their own originals. They are too wide and rub at the follower due to stupid bend hook that forces spring to hit side and run/ drag. OMG THEY JUST DONT GET IT !!! Thank God for Wolff !!

 

[Jeppo]

When I called last week the guy on the phone said this issue is rare and that they have sold 3 million shield pistols in the last 3 years.

3 million magazines? Probably

3 million pistols? Only if they sold 2 million in the 7 months before he told you that.

Smith & Wesson ships millionth Shield

 

[Deadeye Jake]

Same old Smith lack of quality control !! My chamber was full of tool marks and a nick from tooling! I polished it out myself cause it works and shoots great ! Damn Smith!!