Shield safety - loose?

[Embplt32]

I was wondering if my Shield's safety is loose. It has a lot of "play" between off and the defined "click" to place it on. It works fine as far as operational concerns go, I was just wondering if that is standard as most safeties seem to be either on or off with not a lot of movement between. Thanks - J

 

[CJ.]

The safety on my Shield has a very positive on/off. There is no play in the mechanism.

Maybe a spring failed in the system. I'd call S&W or take it apart and inspect it yourself if you feel up to it. Youtube has lots of good tutorials.

Good luck.

 

[robkarrob]

I am not sure what you mean by loose or a lot of play. My Shield 40 hss very positive on and off detents, no looseness or extra play. If you are meaning the distance the lever moves, I measured my safety travel. Measured from the front top of the lever, it moves 3/16 inch up and down, from on to off.

Bob

 

[Embplt32]

When I say play, I mean, from the bottom stop it travels freely until it hits point where it clicks on. It is a very defined click on and off but from the bottom of the off position to the point where it clicks to on there is free movement. It is possible for the safety to be off but have traveled up to the stop where it clicks to on without actually activating the safety. It then almost appears to be on but is in fact not. I hope that helps clear it up. I could take a video an email it if anyone is interested in seeing what I mean and can help. -J

 

[robkarrob]

The safety is just a blocking tab which prevents the trigger bar tail from moving, which stops the trigger rearward movement. Pull the slide off and view the action of the safety on the right side of the sear housing. As long as it locks securely in either the up (on) or down (off) position, all should be good. There is a tab that sticks out from the safety lever, which blocks the trigger bar travel, when in the up position.

Mine is either on or off, there is no middle ground in between. I can not get the safety in any other middle location. Even when I try to get the lever to stop somewhere in the middle, it will not. It snaps into either the up or down indent only. If you are getting free play between the two stops there is an issue with the safety. It is likely the spring behind the indent plunger.

Bob

 

[JAGX]

Is there enough room to paint a red dot under the safety without the paint getting scratched off?

 

[Embplt32]

Yes, I think there is. I think there is a broken spring or something. It is most definitely not being forced in the most downward position when it is turn off. I can feel it turn off and then I have to manually move the switch to the furthest lower part of the detent. PM me if you are interested in seeing what I am talking about. I will send a video.

 

[Embplt32]

The safety is just a blocking tab which prevents the trigger bar tail from moving, which stops the trigger rearward movement. Pull the slide off and view the action of the safety on the right side of the sear housing. As long as it locks securely in either the up (on) or down (off) position, all should be good. There is a tab that sticks out from the safety lever, which blocks the trigger bar travel, when in the up position.

Mine is either on or off, there is no middle ground in between. I can not get the safety in any other middle location. Even when I try to get the lever to stop somewhere in the middle, it will not. It snaps into either the up or down indent only. If you are getting free play between the two stops there is an issue with the safety. It is likely the spring behind the indent plunger.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I am going to send it in and have it looked at. It definitely doesn't act the same way as yours. I can push it up to the point where it is just below the on position, so it looks like it is on but is in fact off. I bought it from someone so I have never felt how it should act when brand new. I just saw some videos on youtube and the safety seems to have a much snappier action to either position and doesn't float around in between. Customer support agreed that they have never heard of a loose safety complaint, only complaints of it being too tight. -J

 

[Embplt32]

Just to follow up on this. I sent it in. It came back in about 12 business days. They repaired the safety. They didn't state what they did but it is definitely operating like factory new now. It is either on or off. I am pretty impressed with their customer service. They even dropped a flush mount magazine in the box for me for free. Good service, good people.