Bingo....Thank you!!!
Ultra tight recoil spring on Shield
- Thread starter 2tango2
- Start date
Here's another option for those having problems with how hard the RSA is to rack (for those that don't have a defective spring, that is 
)
Basically, a charging handle.
TacRack for M&P Shield [2161] - $29.99 : Welcome to Speed Shooter Specialties
)Basically, a charging handle.
TacRack for M&P Shield [2161] - $29.99 : Welcome to Speed Shooter Specialties
You realize you just defeated your own argument . . .
Raisin
Member
After over 300 rounds through my Shield 9 I still could not lock it back without using a bench to push it against. Finally I purchased some GT-5000 grip tape (same as the Talon Grips material). Amazon has it for $6.99 here. [ame]http://www.amazon.com/sandpaper-skateboard-chambering-emergency-aquisition/dp/B00ATH0KEA/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1435629327&sr=1-2&keywords=gt-5000+grip+tape[/ame] After making a pattern with masking tape I cut it to size and stuck it on with no problems. It completely solved my problem. Now I can lock it open with no problem.
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New to this forum, new .40 Shield first 200 rounds
I just picked up my CA compliant .40 Shield 2 days ago and had zero issues with the first 200 rounds other than my hands are a bit sore. I'm hoping with more time at the range things will loosen up a little. Trigger pull and racking on the Shield is so very different than my Glock 17C. I did shoot both the 9mm and .40 Shields I rented at a local range prior to deciding on the Shield over the sub-compact Glocks. Most likely the range rentals have had thousands of rounds put through them and that is why my new handgun feels so different.
I haven't had the slide locking issues I've read in this post, other than it does take quite a bit of force to get the slide back and being so much shorter than my other handgun. I just assumed it was just less to hold on to while pushing back the slide.
Both of my thumbs and my trigger finger are sore and even have small cuts on thumbs. I think this is related to new magazines and pressing 200 rounds down them. Is there a loading assist available others are using, something like what comes with the Glock?
I purchased this to be my CCW and I'm leaning towards the IWB type of holster. I have read many posts on different holsters and will continue to do so before I make that purchase.
Paul
I just picked up my CA compliant .40 Shield 2 days ago and had zero issues with the first 200 rounds other than my hands are a bit sore. I'm hoping with more time at the range things will loosen up a little. Trigger pull and racking on the Shield is so very different than my Glock 17C. I did shoot both the 9mm and .40 Shields I rented at a local range prior to deciding on the Shield over the sub-compact Glocks. Most likely the range rentals have had thousands of rounds put through them and that is why my new handgun feels so different.
I haven't had the slide locking issues I've read in this post, other than it does take quite a bit of force to get the slide back and being so much shorter than my other handgun. I just assumed it was just less to hold on to while pushing back the slide.
Both of my thumbs and my trigger finger are sore and even have small cuts on thumbs. I think this is related to new magazines and pressing 200 rounds down them. Is there a loading assist available others are using, something like what comes with the Glock?
I purchased this to be my CCW and I'm leaning towards the IWB type of holster. I have read many posts on different holsters and will continue to do so before I make that purchase.
Paul
Raisin
Member
Prose1956 get an UpLULA. They cost around $30 but worth every cent of it.
)The spring end Orientation bit just makes me shake my head. It works in every orientation, it will even work with the main spring (not the whole assembly) removed and reinstalled backwards.
The problem goes beyond spring orientation.
The problem goes beyond spring orientation.
martybee
Member
It may be a design flaw. S&W appears to be aware of the problem. They are providing most owners with new RSA's but there is a long wait period. It seems they have sent out so many that they are out of them and have them on BO.
mb
mb
Sigsavvy
Member
Love my Shield but RSA's really are junk. I think that they bind themselves up and don't fully "contract" which causes the slide to stop short of full travel. Just my opinion but I have a replacement RSA from S&W and it works in every position every time. My original one had to be within a millionth of a degree of the "sweet spot" or it wouldn't work.
It's not the 'Orientation' (positioning the ends of the spring) so much as it is getting it centered and sitting properly on its 'shelf'. If it's off center, or not seated deep enough, it's going to bind on the slide, which will result in the end getting bent. The problem is not the Spring... It's the 'Shelf'.
The Shield is the only pistol I have that uses the Captured Spring system that has a flat shelf, instead of a scooped out 'trough' for the spring assembly to sit in.
Attached is a pic of my XDMc barrel. Had S&W done something like this, the RSA positioning wouldn't be an issue.
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Sigsavvy
Member
Great point! Honestly, I think there are probably multiple factors involved when a person has an issue with the RSA. I do think that if you are not careful about centering or getting the end of the RSA on that shelf you will have no end of problems. I know that every time I installed the RSA I made extra sure that it was seated properly and centered. I look at the RSA from three different angles when installed to confirm. Even after all that, I still couldn't lock my slide back until I rotated the RSA to that magic spot that worked. New RSA never has to be rotated and works every time.
Again, there's no doubt that the centering / shelf interaction gets most people but I feel that the RSA itself is very suspect. Not only in terms of it's rotation but some of them just don't work properly. Given all that, an extra machining operation on the barrel to allow for proper seating and an upgrade in the design of the RSA should be moving up in priority at S&W.
Again, there's no doubt that the centering / shelf interaction gets most people but I feel that the RSA itself is very suspect. Not only in terms of it's rotation but some of them just don't work properly. Given all that, an extra machining operation on the barrel to allow for proper seating and an upgrade in the design of the RSA should be moving up in priority at S&W.
JFA
Member
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The issue with my shield not locking for reassembly is that the slider lock/stop lever is flush and cannot be pushed up. There is no space for it to be pushed up. But once I tried it with the magazine out that was the solution... So I guess a case of op error on my part.
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wyomick
Member
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- Apr 13, 2012
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You're right on Gyver; that's what's happening. I cannot believe S&W would want to cut production costs so much as to make a gun with problems like this that could be life-threatening. I've had a number of problems with my Shield, all related to the fact that the RSA spring is not flat wound on the ends to keep it symmetrical around the rod, and, the fact that the barrel lug it sits on does not have a flat milled semi-circular ledge seat for the rear end of the RSA. Why, S&W....why? I plan on selling mine and buying a Walther PPS M2. Go to your gun store and field strip one and look at their RSA assembly and barrel - that's the way it should be done for reliable functioning.
wyomick
Member
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The problem is the spring itself. It is not flat-wound on the ends to prevent it from being unsymmetrical when compressed. This unsymmetrical compression causing binding. Look at a good RSA on a better weapon, like the Walther PPS M2 - that's the way it should be done - smooth as butter operation.
Horn
Member
The Last 1/32 Of An Inch
Really JERK it all the way back to include that wee bit of a 1/32 of an inch.
After five or six hundred rounds it gets a wee bit easier__but only a wee bit. These short barrel pistols require a pretty stiff recoil spring.
Hope this helps you. Enjoy that fantastic Shield.
Poli Viejo
When trying to lock the slide back___you'll find there's a last 1/32 of an inch you have to be aware of. (At least in my two Shields)
Really JERK it all the way back to include that wee bit of a 1/32 of an inch.
After five or six hundred rounds it gets a wee bit easier__but only a wee bit. These short barrel pistols require a pretty stiff recoil spring.
Hope this helps you. Enjoy that fantastic Shield.
Poli Viejo
musicmanwolf
Member
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- Jan 23, 2014
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Leave it locked back for a week or so.
Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk
Interesting that this thread is as old as it is and the problem persists. I recently purchased a Shield 9 that is extreamly difficult to lock back, and release, even after about 300 rounds. I am a long time gun owner, with multiple guns, and have carefully looked at all the suggestions and still can barely lock the slide back (impossible until I wipe any excess oil off the slide), and have to press very hard against the workbench to get enought slack in the slide to release it. Any NEW suggestions, or this an issue to take up with S&W
