Shield 9mm, Is This Normal

[hersandmine]

Hi all, just joined so I apologize if this was discussed previously. Just bought a Shield 9mm for my wife (and occasionally myself) to concealed carry. The first thing I did was field strip it to remove all the oil and grease prior to firing it. When I reassembled it I noticed the gap between the frame and the barrel. It seemed excessive although I could rack it just fine, the lock and safety both worked, so I stripped it and reassembled 8 - 10 more times with the same result. The spring is centered, I slid it on the rails and everything seems to line up just fine except for the always present gap. I see other pictures on the internet where others have the same gap as ours has. I am adding pictures I took of it to see if this is normal or if there is a problem. I don't want to fire the weapon until I am sure everything is right. Appreciate all the help and info.

 

[jeffhughes]

Normal, shoot away...

 

[accessbob]

Normal, shoot away...

I concur with that.

 

[hersandmine]

Thanks guys, I was worried I had a lemon on my hands. Love the way this gun fit's in our hands, can't wait t o shoot it.

 

[big bob]

Its fine, hit the range.

 

[Lost Lake]

Just bought a Shield 9mm for my wife (and occasionally myself) to concealed carry.


When I reassembled it I noticed the gap between the frame and the barrel.


I see other pictures on the internet where others have the same gap as ours has.

I would have been concerned if others DIDN'T have the same gap as yours, but to each their own I guess....

Shoot that sucker!

When you press check it does it return to battery???

LOL!!

.

 

[sophie]

Yep, that is the way they all look.

 

[hersandmine]

Thanks everybody, feel much better now. Can't wait to fire a few in it.

 

[KEN L]

It's to let the water drain out when you go swimming with it. . Navy SEAL requirement!

 

[snakeye]

Lock and load

 

[Smithsrevenge]

I thought the same thing when I purchased my first GLOCK . I found it very odd that I could in fact , see through my gun haha

 

[Danno_man]

It's a lemon, send.it to me for disposal. LOL

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[srings]

Just took mine off my hip and yes, that gap is there...I've got 1500+ rounds through mine...no hiccups with that gap. Enjoy and fire away!

 

[hersandmine]

Thanks for all your help everybody. It just seemed strange seeing that gap in there. Thanks for the offer Danno, but I think I'll just make lemonade. ;-)

 

[dullh]

With the exception of auto-loading pistols with barrel bushings and cams, you will notice that all of them have a gap between the top of the barrel and the slide (the opening in the slide the barrel sticks out through is cut more like an oval than a circle). This is so the barrel can do what it's designed to do - rotate upward as it unlocks, as the slide moves to the rear.

If you understand the fact that there are at least two different ways an auto-loading pistol can be designed (the most common being blowback and locked breech), you'll find the way it "looks" is the least of your concerns...

 

[nickel plate]

Your photos seem to be concentrating on the gap between the FRAME and the SLIDE as it looks like I can see what appears to be the recoil spring in your photos, nothing to do with the FRAME and the BARREL.
My 9mm Shield is cleaned, oiled and greased so I can't really assess any differences between mine and yours at this time but if you look at the photos in the manual, they too show what appears to be the recoil spring-try the S&W website for perhaps clearer photos.