Shield going back to S&W

[adam1961]

Purchased a brand new 9mm Shield three weeks ago. Upon initial cleaning (not fired yet), I noticed rust/copper fouling in the barrel. After cleaning and scrubbing with both Ballistol and Hoppe's Elite, no change. I emailed S&W and they are requesting it be returned for examination.

I have heard their customer service is excellent. Does anyone have any input as far as turnaround time for getting it back? Seems like a great gun and I can't wait to put some rounds through it.

Thanks.

 

[oldbill]

In May, I returned a M&P 9 F because of a bad barrel. The crown was unfinished, to say the least.

They returned it to me in about three weeks with a new barrel.

(If you look at my previous posts, you can see what it looked like.)

It seems the barrel was unfinished by the maker, and it was not noticed by the assembler.

 

[3hounds]

Purchased a brand new 9mm Shield three weeks ago. Upon initial cleaning (not fired yet), I noticed rust/copper fouling in the barrel. After cleaning and scrubbing with both Ballistol and Hoppe's Elite, no change. I emailed S&W and they are requesting it be returned for examination.

I have heard their customer service is excellent. Does anyone have any input as far as turnaround time for getting it back? Seems like a great gun and I can't wait to put some rounds through it.

Thanks.

They do test fire these guns at the factory.

The 2 cleaning agents you listed are not very good for cleaning copper.

Are you using a nylon or copper brush ?

Are you sure there's rust in the barrel ?

You might want to shoot it some to get it hot then clean it.

At least shoot it to make sure there's no problems with the gun.

3

 

[jeffroberdo]

Not for the same reason as yours but i have a shield 9 that is going back to S&W this week. Mine is have Extraction issues. I have had it for about 5 weeks and it has 500rnds through it with 10FDE's. The shell casing in the box is dated 04-13-13. Im not discouraged at all but a tad disappointed. This is my 5th m&p and all the others have no issues with 1000's of rounds.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I agree with 3hounds. Shoot it some before you send it back. If you find any other issues, you can have those addressed at the same time. As the barrels are given the melonite/tenifer treatment, rust seems highly unlikely, hence S&W wanting to "inspect" it. I am going to take a wild guess that what you think is rust is actually copper jacket material from test firing. Without really good close up pictures, it is hard to tell, but I would doubt it is rust, assuming the barrel was properly melonited/tenifered.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Not for the same reason as yours but i have a shield 9 that is going back to S&W this week. Mine is have Extraction issues. I have had it for about 5 weeks and it has 500rnds through it with 10FDE's. The shell casing in the box is dated 04-13-13. Im not discouraged at all but a tad disappointed. This is my 5th m&p and all the others have no issues with 1000's of rounds.

What is an "FDE?"

 

[jeffroberdo]

Meant to write FTE "Failure To Extract"

 

[shawn mccarver]

Meant to write FTE "Failure To Extract"

Since FTE can mean failure to extract or failure to eject, I wasn't sure, and since the D is not that close to a T on the keyboard, I was doubly confused!

 

[3hounds]

What is an "FDE?"

Thanks Shawn, I had a whole thing written up then I saw your post.

God these abbreviations are killing me.

3

 

[adam1961]

They do test fire these guns at the factory.

The 2 cleaning agents you listed are not very good for cleaning copper.

Are you using a nylon or copper brush ?

Are you sure there's rust in the barrel ?

You might want to shoot it some to get it hot then clean it.

At least shoot it to make sure there's no problems with the gun.

3

I understand about the factory test firing. In fact, my shell casing was dated late May, 2013, so the gun is probably less than two months old.

I am also leaning towards the copper fouling. I cleaned using a bronze bore brush with the above mentioned cleaners and plenty of soak time, and no signs of red (rust) at all on the cloth. I'm just used to seeing a mirror finish on a new and freshly cleaned barrel, and this is far from that, so I thought it best to contact S&W and explain the issue. They requested I return it for inspection, so that is in process. Thanks for the suggestions. I will update as I learn more.

 

[3hounds]

I would at the least try and shoot it before sending it back.

You never know if it has any other problems.

It would be sad if you had to return it again for some other issue.

I used JB bore paste on mine when I received it.

They will probably just clean it anyhow.

When you get your shipping label, call fed ex and set up a time for pick up.

They will come right to your house, make sure you tell them it's a gun.

Just my opinion, 3

 

[snakeye]

Don't blame you if something doesn't look right especially the barrel then don't take a chance, send it back and make sure. As far as time to get it back like you originally asked, from what I have seen it might be as long as 4 weeks.

 

[adam1961]

In May, I returned a M&P 9 F because of a bad barrel. The crown was unfinished, to say the least.

They returned it to me in about three weeks with a new barrel.

(If you look at my previous posts, you can see what it looked like.)

It seems the barrel was unfinished by the maker, and it was not noticed by the assembler.

Did S&W alert you to the return of your firearm/shipment via a tracking #, email, etc.? I'm sure a signature is required when receiving the package, and I will need to plan on being around the day it comes.

 

[oldbill]

Did S&W alert you to the return of your firearm/shipment via a tracking #, email, etc.? I'm sure a signature is required when receiving the package, and I will need to plan on being around the day it comes.

I received an automated phone call telling me that the gun had been shipped. A tracking number was provided. I don't recall whether it was one or two days before the package arrived.

Yes, a signature was required. (An adult signature.)

 

[adam1961]

I received an automated phone call telling me that the gun had been shipped. A tracking number was provided. I don't recall whether it was one or two days before the package arrived.

Yes, a signature was required. (An adult signature.)

Appreciate the info.

 

[adam1961]

Just an update: Shield was returned today (7/26/13) from S&W. Gun was test fired and inspected and returned just as it was sent. No work done on the barrel. Results said there were no issues with the barrel. So I guess that's good enough for me. I will use it now knowing that's the way the barrel should be. Glad I sent it back, though. Better safe than sorry, they say.