Shield Assembly

[Mountain Walker]

I am having difficulty assembling my shield because the recoil spring assembly gets in the way and it is not possible to get the slide back far enough to engage the slide stop. The instructions say to center the recoil spring assembly and make sure it is down. I do this, but it takes many attempts to get it to work. I must be doing something wrong because I don't hear this complaint too often.

 

[MyDads38]

First, take your time, otherwise you'll get frustrated and may damage the RSA. The Shield is a stiff little pistol and it takes a little more effort than a FS pistol, in my experience.

The RSA, once installed level/straight and centered, should stay in place for reassembly. Make sure the disc is seated properly. It does take extra effort at first, but should get easier as you go along. If not installed correctly, you can bend the retaining disc. Make sure it looks like the illustration in the manual. Some good videos on youtube also.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I think that's just normal and actually a common complaint. It was extremely difficult for me to reassemble my Shield when it was new. Line up the RSA and center it in the slot. Then push the slide on as far as it will go until it stops, then push another 1/8th inch to lock the slide with your thumb..

Keep doing that until you have built up the muscles in your chest and arms. Soon it will become easier. I'm just sorta kidding, but there is some truth to it.

 

[bigwheelzip]

A close-up picture of the barrel notch that seats the RSA, and the ends of the RSA, would help eliminate defects and damage as a cause.

It is a stiff little bugger of a pistol though. Good luck.

 

[msjdgman]

I've had my Shield for a couple of months now, and just an hour ago had a momentary issue with reassembly. The rsa shifted on me and the slide would not go back on, obviously. I just held the frame against my leg while I pushed the slide back about an inch or so, and with my free hand re-centered the rsa and sure enough, I was good to go.

 

[Mountain Walker]

With the pistol disassembled, I take the Recoil Spring Assembly(RSA) separately and see how it fits into the frame. I observe that before going into the channel inside the frame, the plate of the RSA must pass a steel half washer/insert which is in-bedded into the frame. This steel insert could use a very slight breaking of the sharp corner/edge and polish with crocus cloth. Then the plate of the RSA could feed more easily past the insert and into the channel. Anyway, looking how the RSA fits in the frame channel was helpful in knowing what I am dealing with. Thanks for the good feedback from everyone!!

 

[Mountain Walker]

I think that's just normal and actually a common complaint. It was extremely difficult for me to reassemble my Shield when it was new. Line up the RSA and center it in the slot. Then push the slide on as far as it will go until it stops, then push another 1/8th inch to lock the slide with your thumb..

Keep doing that until you have built up the muscles in your chest and arms. Soon it will become easier. I'm just sorta kidding, but there is some truth to it.

Yes, there is truth in your jest! Thanks

 

[edslow]

I think as stated before go slow I never had a problem. I find it to be one of the easier pistols to assemble an disassemble

 

[Sigsavvy]

I had a similar issue. Almost every time I field stripped my Shield I had to fiddle with the RSA to get it back together. I called S&W and told them that it wasn't just stiff but would bind and prevent the slide from going all the way back for reassembly. They sent me a replacement RSA and that one worked every time without having to spin or reorient the RSA.

Your comments about the fit into the frame is interesting. I'm sure it contributes for sure but without any modification to the frame my replacement RSA works every time. Probably a combination of the frame and a wonky RSA.

 

[Dirtman]

I just bought my 40 cal. Shield and haven't shot it yet. The first thing I did was to field strip and lubricate it. I didn't have any problems with disassembly or re-assembly. I have three other M & P's and have cleaned them many times so I was used to the basis method of taking down the Shield.
This little gun is very stiff compared to my other MP's. It will probably get a little looser with use. Love the way it is easy to carry and how it feels in my hand but I expect the 40 will be a bit snappy. I was going to buy the 9mm but Academy didn't have any on hand and I didn't want to wait.
Can't wait to shoot it but my gun range is almost impossible to get on until the holiday traffic has settled down some. In the mean time I'll be doing a lot of dry firing and fondling!