Should I?

[Sigsavvy]

Hey, folks, just looking for a bit of feedback. I bought a Shield .40 in December. Right away I experienced an intermittent issue where I couldn't lock the slide back after reassembly. I do know about the stiff recoil spring assembly and the fact that it needs to be perfectly aligned, etc. This is more like if it's turned a certain way something binds and the slide cannot travel all the way back to lock. I called S&W and explained the issue and they offered to send me a new recoil spring assembly. After three weeks I emailed for a status and was told they are on backorder and it would be quicker to send my gun in. I am just getting this feeling that it's overkill to send it in but wanted to see what others would do. I haven't even shot it yet and probably won't until it warms up but I just have a "thing" about sending my guns out...thanks!

 

[macski222]

Make sure its seated in there correctly and run some rounds through it to loosen things up a bit. At least that's what I'd do before I sent it in. Are you absolutely sure it's not operator error causing the slide to be unable to be locked back? I know how tight these shields are before being shot, and sometimes simply getting the slide back enough for the slide stop to engage can seem like a chore.

 

[gwpercle]

What I did was take my semi-auto , that had worked fine until I took it apart, down to the local gun shop, explained circumstances to owner/ gunsmith , He disassembled then reassembled correctly , showing me what I did wrong.
Felt foolish because I hadn't read the instructions thoroughly, learned a bit and went on my way. Since I was a regular customer there was no charge and they didn't laugh, at least while I was in the shop.
Gary

 

[NCW Ray]

I'm a "whatever is the least hassle" kind of guy. So for me, emailing/calling them and then waiting for the shipping label, then packaging up of the gun, taking it to the shipper, waiting for weeks/months for them to get to it, and being available to sign for the package on return is way more hassle than I'd want to go through for that particular issue.

With that said...my Shield 40 was tough to lock back too, but now that I'm more familiar with it I have no problem locking it back.

 

[Sigsavvy]

Thanks for the replies.

macski222: I do agree that I should put some rounds through it. When I have the issue I'm not able to get the slide back at all. I'm a big guy and was using all my strength and even the counters to try to get it back far enough to lock. It would simply stop just short of being able to lock it. I would then tear it down, turn the spring a little and try again. Often that worked right away, sometimes I had to do it twice. I think the spring has burrs on the ends where it was cut and they are getting caught up on something. Not sure.

gwpercl: Out of curiosity, what was it that you felt you were doing wrong? I am quadruple checking the alignment of the RSA before trying to reassemble. It just seems to be an issue if it is turned a certain way.

NCW Ray: I'm with you. I actually live about 80 miles from the factory and it would probably be faster for me to just drive it there! I'm hoping that I get the hang of getting that RSA rotated just right and then breaking it in a bit and all will be right in the world.

 

[macski222]

Instead of just trying to seat the rod in there correctly, take it back out and rotate the spring a bit. I had a heck of a time once getting the rod back in the slide, but once I fiddled with the positioning of the spring on the rod itself, I had no more issues. It's odd the way it can move around on you.

 

[Sigsavvy]

Interesting. I'll have to try that. Thanks!

 

[KX_693]

My shield 9 did the same thing. After 500 rounds it has loosened up or worn in or somehting becuase it goes back together as easy as all my other M&P's now. I'd say put some rounds or alot of rounds threw it and see what happens before you go threw the hassel of sending it back.

 

[Deadeye Dick]

1) If the springs are back ordered how is sending the gun to them going to make getting a new spring in it any quicker?

2) Does the gun otherwise function properly when you go to load and shoot it? If you can load it and shoot it and the rod and spring appear to be straight it is unlikely that there is anything wrong with the gun. You may just need to put some more rounds threw it to loosen it up a little. The springs in compact guns are pretty stiff and it can be a bear to pull the slides back far enough and hold it there long enough to engage the slide stop, especially when they are new.

I would explore other options before sending it back to "mother". Check to make sure you are lining up the rod/spring assembly and positioning it properly on the barrel and slide. If you are unsure bring it to a gun dealer or range where you could have someone with more experience take a look at it for you.

 

[Sigsavvy]

Thanks. I asked CS how long sending the gun in would take and they said they are at 3-4 weeks turnaround. Told them I'll just wait for the RSA.

I actually haven't shot it yet due to time constraints and the weather. I did take it out of the box yesterday to inspect and dry fire a little. Locked the slide back, made sure it was safe and put a mag in with a snap-cap. Cycled the slide and it wouldn't lock back. I put a wooden dowel in the ejector port and fiddled with the end of the RSA that was sticking out. Eventually, the slide moved back far enough to let me lock it. As much as I agree with everyone's assessment that the springs are stout, this is different. When the RSA decides to "misbehave" the slide will simply stop before it has travelled all the way back. This means that I can't lock the slide back. If this happens during reassembly then I can't flip the takedown lever because it will hit the slide. I do think that putting some rounds through it will work out whatever kinks are in the RSA but I'm not sure.