Should I risk buying shield?

[Loxk]

I thought the shield was pretty reliable and SW service was good but now am reading about problems with the guide rod/spring and the company failing to send replacements.

I'm not wealthy....the idea of dropping ~350 on a gun which breaks down after 100 shots is not acceptable, I find the fact that SW is literally taking months to fix the problem on a new gun absurd(they need to immediately ship a new gun IMO).

So should I take the risk on a shield or should I look at other options? Frankly if I wanted to deal with this type of bull**** I may as well buy a Taurus.

 

[shakyshoot]

So...You signed up to the site for the purpose of complaining about a gun you don't own? Yes, I think you should buy a Taurus or perhaps a HI-Point. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[USAF385]

There's a lesson I remember from back when I started a job in customer service....

When someone has a good customer service experience, they might tell one or two people.

When they have a bad one, they'll tell ten.

The point...... Complainers are more vocal than those which no complaints.

I had a shield in .40 when they were first released and traded it for a new gun.

Oops. I still regret that trade.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Loxk]

So...You signed up to the site for the purpose of complaining about a gun you don't own? Yes, I think you should buy a Taurus or perhaps a HI-Point. Thanks for stopping by.

I signed up to ask if it's worth buying a shield or if my money is better spent on an XDs or Glock 43. 100 more for a functional gun is worth it.

So has SW dropped to Taurus quality or not?

 

[Bob O]

I loved the Shield but dislike the guide rod design.

 

[andrewcdub]

The guide rod in my Shield 9 is still normal after 2000 rounds. I'm wondering if maybe it bends when folks try to rack the slide too hard when it isn't aligned right. At least on mine if I don't have it on there perfect, the slide won't go all the way back.

 

[Jim1392]

I think no matter what gun you buy if you go into the forum for that gun you will find someone with problems. I bought the Shield 9mm and I have 200 rounds through it and I haven't had one problem.

 

[326MOD10]

I bought a Shield (also own a Glock 43) and I, at this point, still carry the Shield. I read this Forum most days and enjoy the postings here and have read most of the ones that involve a complaint about the Shields. I still had/have no concerns about buying it or carrying it on a daily basis.

I would agree with the comments about how you never hear about the good and hear repeatedly about anything bad. That is human nature, sadly, but I am as guilty of it as anyone.

I would also suggest that if it was as horrible as you hear it is from time to time, Smith and Wesson would have made some sort of change to manufacturing to fix the problem. Not saying these problems don't occur. Not saying that many of them are not manufactured in someone's mind once they read 10 post about it.

Just saying that if I am selling how every many thousand Shields and was having to take all of them back the cost of shipping alone would negate my profit on a low price point product.

I feel certain that some buyers of the most expensive things in the world have to take one back for something. Now consider how many of them are out there versus how many Shields.

Bottom line is you buy what you are comfortable with because ultimately you are the one buying it and relying on it when the need arises.

 

[Smooth1]

After reading a lot of these posts, my bet is that the rsa is manufactured by a supplier that is having some quality control issues. I agree that people that have complaints join forums & post the issues, but that is little comfort to a guy like me that's considering purchasing 1. It appears as though there is some sort of problem whith the QA/QC with the part & because of all the recent posts, I'm seriously considering asking the LGS if I can switch my deposit to another brand, not sure which yet. Just sayin.

 

[CaptRon956]

Let's not feed the troll guys...

 

[Arik]

You will never find a company that made a product that didn't break or no one complained about

 

[S&W Fan]

My Shield has a fired case dated March of this year-I've done an advanced pistol class with it (150-200 rounds in the class), plus countless range sessions. I carry it virtually every day-no issues.

Go buy whatever you like. Just sayin.

 

[MyDads38]

I own 2 SD/VE's and 4 M&P's including my newly acquired Shield 40. I post regularly about them all-I've never had an issue, or anything remotely bad to say about any of them.

You think this Forum is the only one with negative posts/threads about their product? Not so, just log in to any firearm forum and you'll wonder why ANY of us would take a chance, on any gun made. My Ruger SR1911-check out the bad reports on that one. Mine-one of the most accurate and reliable 1911's I've had the pleasure to own; out of the box.

Good luck on your search and your choice. Let us know how it works out. BTW, stay away from the Taurus 40 cal. 92 model-they jam each and every round out of the mag. Buddy had one for a week and got rid of it-no joke; every round jammed at the feed ramp. He now owns a Beretta 92 FS in 9mm-loves it! Just sayin...

 

[Laketime]

Why, when there are so many other good choices out there.

 

[bedbugbilly]

Simple answer to your question is "no" . . . .

And if your drive a Ford . . and you have a flat tire . . . I'd never buy a Ford agin either . . . .

I recently bought a 9mm Shield and love it - absolutely no problems or issues with it. If something does happen . . . I'll get it fixed. No big deal . . . but if it does have a problem, should I write off S & W entirely and get rid of my 4 S & W revolvers? So many decisions . . . . so little time . . . .
W revolvers?

 

[SpinyNorman]

Interesting analogy for those of us who remember the Ford Explorer/ Firestone tire debacle of 15 years ago.

 

[Granite6]

NO, don't buy a shield! That way you won't have to find out that it will eat everything, shoot thousands of rounds reliably, shoot more accurately than a xDs, and have better ergonomics than the Glock. Enjoy the pleasure of not feeling compelled to write a great review here, or compete in local IDPA competitions. Don't do it!

 

[hoc9sw]

My Shield 9 is at 3092 rounds / 18 months on one RSA (the original, and yes, I keep a detailed range log). I have a backup, but arranged early on when it was suspect, but later proven not.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have somewhat over 1,100 rounds through my shield. Zero problems. They have made a buttload of the things. One or two will be bad. One or two or several hundreds will have been buggered up by incompetent operation. That's life in the big city. If it still worries you, by a revolver and have a nice day.

 

[rockriverrenegade]

I'm a Glock guy all day long, but the Shield is the best subcompact I've ever shot. I love this little gun. Have about 300+ rounds through it without an issue. If Glock would have brought out the G43 sooner, I'm sure I would have looked to that first, but they were slow to the market. Tried a buddy's shield and loved it. It's actually the only S & W auto I own. I will not be buying a G43, the Shield won me over.
So bottom line, I'm as picky as you about a gun running flawlessly and the Shield does just that.
Good luck,
RRR