Trouble loading Shield mag

[Smith...really!]

Going to shoot my Shield for the first time tomorrow, so I'm loading the mags tonight. But...this is not any easy task! Is there some trick to this or am I just too weak/uncoordinated/stupid to accomplish this? My thumbs are killing me and I'm not 1/2 finished . I'm definitely a noob, but this doesn't seem like it should be so difficult. Thanks!

 

[snakeye]

Nope your not weak, they have some of the toughest magazine springs know to man..I have almost 800 rounds through mine and they are as stiff as they were when it was new.....you need an Uplula magazine loader...worth the money for these magazines

 

[Smoke52]

2nd the Uplula. Pricy piece of plastic, but worth every dollar.

 

[Golphin]

Get yourself a 45 M&P and load those mags for a while and when you get back to the Shield it will seem easier. Or like they said get yourself a Uplula and be done with it.

 

[HarryD]

I totally agree, I bought a Uplula after I bought my shield, so much easier.

 

[Smith...really!]

Thanks to all for the advice. I'm taking it! (Well, the M&P 45 might have to wait a bit!) An Uplula it will be. Looking forward to easier and faster loading.

 

[BobbyBJr]

The Uplula costs you two ways. Pricy to purchase and you'll shoot more ammo once you have one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MichiganScott]

I'm surprised that it took six minutes for someone to recommend an UpLula.

I don't use one to load .45's, but I use them on every 9mm I own.

 

[bearfoot]

your not weak. ^^^^^^^ suggestions right on. had an old HKS mag. loader. w/ the slots on the bottom for different length mags. for the extended mag., figure where the mag. will load, drill a hole, insert a bolt, has to be short just to catch the bottom of the mag. bottom. w/ practice, loads faster than the Lu loader. takes less space. stays in range bag. but i do have a Lu loader.

 

[RobzGuns]

Welcome to the forum.
The great thing about the UpLULA, is that it's not caliber specific. It will work on everything from 9mm to .45 (even some .380s) and will work with both Single-Stack and Double-Stack mags.
It's the only Pistol mag loader you'll ever need.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Thumbs up for Uplula.

 

[Mcwsky09]

While I ise a variety of mag loaders, including several of the Lulas, one thing you might to try is rather using the rim of the next round to push the previous round down instead use the thumb of the hand holding the mag to push the stack down, you may get about half the case diameter, the slip the next round in at an angle so the rim is under the lips then use it as a lever. Also, try placing the magazine on a solid surface rather than holding it in your hands during the process.
In other words, while strength and dexterity may be factors, technique is critical.

 

[uthornfan]

Another fan of the UpLula. I even bought the baby UpLula for my wife to load her .380 magazines.

 

[CaptRon956]

all I know is ever since I bought my Shield my hand strength has improved greatly.

 

[Smith...really!]

your not weak. ^^^^^^^ suggestions right on. had an old HKS mag. loader. w/ the slots on the bottom for different length mags. for the extended mag., figure where the mag. will load, drill a hole, insert a bolt, has to be short just to catch the bottom of the mag. bottom. w/ practice, loads faster than the Lu loader. takes less space. stays in range bag. but i do have a Lu loader.

Thanks for the tip, bearfoot! I purchased an HKS loader, but because it was for a double stack mag, the single stack was a sloppy fit. To tighten up the fit, I super-glued some rubber grommets to the interior of the loader. After using it today, I will follow your lead and add a bolt to serve as a stop for the bottom of the mag. It saved my thumbs and worked well enough...until I get an Uplula.

 

[MSG Glenn]

Th Uplula is definitely the answer. You'll use much less valuable range time loading mags with one even after they get easier to load with usage.

 

[FlexStrops]

Mine were the same when I first got them, load them up and leave them loaded for a few nights, it will loosen them up a bit.

 

[Shark_II]

No human being could thumb-load the new mags on my just-arrived Shield. Ain't gonna happen. I am 6' 1" 240 pounds and no weakling. I thought mine were defective until I came here and read that S&W had screwed the pooch on these things.

Loading my 1911 mags all day with a flick of the thumb is heaven compared to these *%$#@(* things.

I have never had the need for a stack loader until now but had to buy a Uplula today.

Not a happy camper about this.

 

[PirateJim]

No human being could thumb-load the new mags on my just-arrived Shield. Ain't gonna happen. I am 6' 1" 240 pounds and no weakling. I thought mine were defective until I came here and read that S&W had screwed the pooch on these things.

Loading my 1911 mags all day with a flick of the thumb is heaven compared to these *%$#@(* things.

I have never had the need for a stack loader until now but had to buy a Uplula today.

Not a happy camper about this.

I understand your current annoyance, but you really will come to love the Uplula. I love mine. And the Shield is a dandy little gun. If it takes a magnum spring to get it to feed right, so be it.

 

[CaptRon956]

If it makes you feel any better the mag springs in my Shield loosened up a bit after 4 months of weekly range time and a plus side is my hand strength has improved a lot too...

No, not because I'm that happy with my Shield. Well, maybe.