Shield40 problem at the range

[pyro]

I went to the range today to shoot the Shield40. I had over 200 rounds through it with no malfunctions. Today in the first 50 rounds the slide locked open 4 times before the magazine was empty. These were not jams. What gives? The magazine was locked in, it did not drop out. I believe it happened with both magazines. If anyone has an answer to this problem I would appreciate it.

 

[pyro]

I am surprised I got no response on this problem. Not encouraging for a forum. I think I may have insight however. At the time my slide locked back in the middle of a magazine, the magazine, while seemingly engaged, was loose with some slack. I assumed that was the way it always was.Tonight I noticed that when a magazine was empty or loaded, it locked in solidly with no slack.. I am now suspicious that the magazine was partly disengaged causing something similar to a magazine dropping free. I first will take a punch and push the catch hole out a bit and see if that solves the problem. If that does not work I will call S&W.

 

[RobsTV]

I am surprised I got no response on this problem. Not encouraging for a forum. .....

I would say that is very encouraging!

If a problem exists that others have experienced, a lot of replies would appear, and if others had same issue, not a good sign.

But if no one else has the issue, then replies might be just guesses, which anyone could do. That is good that you are the only one reporting this type of thing.

I would guess that you accidentally touched the mag release, causing it to drop a 1/4".

 

[arn357]

Disassembly the mag to see if the problem may be within the mag before doing what you're suggesting.

 

[RobzGuns]

Today in the first 50 rounds the slide locked open 4 times before the magazine was empty. These were not jams. What gives? The magazine was locked in, it did not drop out. I believe it happened with both magazines. If anyone has an answer to this problem I would appreciate it.

With subcompact pistols in general, regardless of brand, the most common reason for the slide locking open before the mag is empty, especially for those who are used to only shooting Full-Size pistols (you didn't mention whether you are transitioning from Full-Size or not), is the thumb unintentionally pushing up on the slide lock, causing it to lock back. This is not the only cause... Just the most common.

I don't believe Accidentally hitting the mag release, or the mag being loose, would cause the Slide Lock to engage. The follower of an Empty mag hitting the slide lock is what's supposed to lock the slide back, so if the mag were dropping loose, there would be nothing there to cause the slide to lock back.

If you are absolutely positive that your thumb is not pushing the slide lock, then you need to look at the internal portion of the Slide Lock bar, to see if it's catching somewhere on the mag.

 

[DocSunShine]

Another vote for accidentally flipping the slide lock up with thumb, very common when riding the slide (thumbs forward grip), that is why I modify my grip a bit, my thumbs are nowhere near the slide stop or the mag release.

 

[patbelly]

I experienced the same thing with my Shield 9mm. My thumb was engaging the slide stop. Slight grip adjustment solved my problem. Hope this helps.

 

[pyro]

Thanks for the response. On the next trip I will closely watch where my fingers are resting. I don't think I can reach the magazine release but I will check both the mag and slide releases.

 

[Fabius]

I had the opposite problem. My thumb was riding on top of the slide stop and keeping the slide stop from moving up and locking the slide back on an empty mag. Small adjustment in thumb position fixed that.

 

[pyro]

Time to respond to my original grumbly postings on the slide lock issue. After the forum members correctly identified my problem, I put 75 rounds down range while paying attention to my grip. No slide locks. If it weren't for the forum, I would have spent unnecessary time and probably money trying to fix a problem that didn't exist. Thanks for the insight!

 

[Fabius]

Glad that your issue is cleared up. These boards have answered a lot of questions for me.

 

[patbelly]

pyro, I bet you have a big smile on your face now. Congrats on your Shield 40.

 

[robrossk]

Also good to know you did not do anything to the mags - good shooting - you will enjoy the 40 Shield.