Shield RSA one more time

I came home and checked mine again. I had the bent portion down into the barrel. Still fired 50 rounds without a problem. I turned it around 180 and now the bent portion is facing away from the barrel. Seemed to have a little more difficult time putting the slide back on the frame. But, still racked and dry fired OK.

Will definitely call and ask for replacement RSA, but will also continue to shoot the bent one.
 
swsig said:
S&W Customer Service emailed me today and said that I should have another RSA in 10-15 days. Wish me luck.

Stay tuned...
Click to expand...

how long ago did you call and request a new one? just trying to gauge how long it might be before I get one.
 
MKE.guns said:
RobzGuns,

I was not aware that G&R Tactical has RSA's for the S&W Shield. I checked the web site and I do not see them.

Thanks
MKE
Click to expand...

They were listed under new products as guide rods, not RSA. Took some digging to find.

(Just looked, they are out of stock, no backorders)
 
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3 1/2 month update

I am reviving this long-dead thread to report that I finally received a proper, undamaged Shield 9 RSA a week ago, only two weeks later than promised. It took 3 1/2 months and two failed attempts by S&W to replace it following the purchase of my Shield. (Read above for the whole strange story.) When I installed the new RSA, I had no trouble racking the slide and engaging the slide latch, and the front retainer disc was firmly attached. I went to the range yesterday and fired 155 rounds, mostly Lawman 124. When I got home and removed the RSA, it was actually intact and unbent.

While my Shield generally performed well, I was disappointed by two FTEs. That brings my Shield's total FTEs to 11 in 1820 rounds. As a result, I am still carrying my M&P 40c. I will not consider using the Shield as my EDC until it can go at least 500 consecutive rounds without any malfunctions. Because both FTEs occurred early in my range session, I'm hoping that they were a function of the RSA's breaking-in process, and that they will disappear in the future.

For those of you awaiting a Shield RSA, be patient. S&W will get one to you. Eventually.
 
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This thread just never ends...I guess I'd feel differently if it was one of my Shields.
 
swsig said:
I am reviving this long-dead thread to report that I finally received a proper, undamaged Shield 9 RSA a week ago, only two weeks later than promised. It took 3 1/2 months and two failed attempts by S&W to replace it following the purchase of my Shield. (Read above for the whole strange story.) When I installed the new RSA, I had no trouble racking the slide and engaging the slide latch, and the front retainer disc was firmly attached. I went to the range yesterday and fired 155 rounds, mostly Lawman 124. When I got home and removed the RSA, it was actually intact and unbent.

While my Shield generally performed well, I was disappointed by two FTEs. That brings my Shield's total FTEs to 11 in 1820 rounds. As a result, I am still carrying my M&P 40c. I will not consider using the Shield as my EDC until it can go at least 500 consecutive rounds without any malfunctions. Because both FTEs occurred early in my range session, I'm hoping that they were a function of the RSA's breaking-in process, and that they will disappear in the future.

For those of you awaiting a Shield RSA, be patient. S&W will get one to you. Eventually.
Click to expand...
I'm glad this issue was finally resolved. I wish S&W was doing a better job with their QC and customer service.
 
Has anyone in this thread had a possible related issue with not being able to remove the slide when attempting to field strip the Shield 9?
 
The fired case on my M& P Shield 9mm was collected on 2/14/2015 and I bought it new in the box shortly thereafter. OMG...after reading this post, I am wondering if I made a big mistake even after examining the RSA tonight and NO bending is evident anywhere on the washers, shaft, or assembly. I only use factory ammo, mostly 115 gr. Comments appreciated. Regards, Ed.
 
I wouldn't get all bent out of shape over this issue. ((Sorry, couldn't resist... :D)) But, seriously, there are a LOT of Shields out there now, and a LOT of happy Shield owners, including myself.

I have not heard any definitive explanation of how the RSA plate gets bent. If there has been one, I hope someone will chime in and point to the source material. However, if you look hard at how the Shield functions, there's nothing really going on that should bend that plate assuming the gun was assembled properly. I'm not even sure how you'd bend it by not assembling the gun properly, but I think that's the best guess for the cause of the bending that's been reported. There isn't a very large notch on the barrel lug for the RSA plate to engage which can make getting it seated a bit fiddley for me.

It is also worth noting that, while the owners of affected guns certainly want to get an undamaged replacement part, I have not heard of any actual failures to function related to the bent plate.

Personally, I have simply made a point of double checking that the RSA is seated properly and nice and straight before assembling the gun after cleaning. No problems after 1000+ rounds and not expecting any.
 
RSA problem

Jim, THANK$!!! Your reply goes a long way to reassure me. My Shield functions flawlessly and I will be very careful to ensure assembled correctly. Regards. OldGoat Ed
 
PirateJim said:
Personally, I have simply made a point of double checking that the RSA is seated properly and nice and straight before assembling the gun after cleaning. No problems after 1000+ rounds and not expecting any.
Click to expand...
Ditto Here! Make sure it is aligned and you should not have a problem! Likewise, my Shield has over 1,000 rds. through it and absolutely no issues with any type of failure other than my own doing!

mb
 
500+ rounds with no failures and the RSA looks like new. I've been very fussy about alignment on reassembly. I wonder if it could have anything to do with tolerance stacking on individual guns?
 
The Thread That Wouldn't Die!

Here's the latest from your friendly OP:

The good news: My new RSA is in great shape and is still working fine after nearly 800 rounds. No bent anything, no flying apart, and no problems racking.

The bad news: I am still having FTEs, averaging one per 150 rounds, and my Shield has developed a loose ejector. S&W says a slightly loose ejector is "normal" on a Shield. :eek: Hmmm, a slightly loose ejector caused me no end of FTE problems on my Ruger Standard. When it was fixed, there were no more FTEs, so I'm not sure I'm buying what S&W is selling.

The newer good news: Despite their disclaimer about loose ejectors, S&W has agreed to take a look at my Shield. I dropped it off at Fedex Monday, and S&W will get it later today. I'll report here again when I get it back.

Hey, maybe if we work at it, we can surpass the number of posts in the "How much did you pay for your Shield?" thread. :D
 
My ejector is not loose in the slightest. I have near 1,000 rounds through it, so if it was to become loose I think it would have by now.
 
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