What Is Really Going On With the M&P Shield 40?

[Roger S&W]

A friend of mine just emailed me after a long time. I asked if he heard about the Shield 40 KaBoom reports. This is what he told me:

It's my understanding that the pistol is firing out of battery. That issue shouldn't be a hot round problem. It sounds like recoil spring fatigue and a faulty design that lets the striker release when the pistol is out of battery.

 

[RussC]

Why is the Shield 9 not firing out of battery?

Is your friend a S&W employee?

Thanks

Russ

 

[s&wbest]

If this is the case why are the 9mm not doing the same? Maybe less spring fatigue in a 9mm? Recoil not as snappy. Some of these guys have only fired 100 rounds.

 

[Jagrmaister]

What exactly are your friend's credentials again? If he's an engineer at S&W and is keen to the problem whilst hearing the rumblings of management I'm listening...If he's just some random guy giving his internet opinion...???

 

[feelinlucky]

It's my understanding that the pistol is firing out of battery. That issue shouldn't be a hot round problem. It sounds like recoil spring fatigue and a faulty design that lets the striker release when the pistol is out of battery.

Sounds like your friend hasn't really read all of these kaboom threads in their entirety (granted, that would be daunting task), or he really doesn't know what he's talking about.

Do you believe him? I don't.

 

[Camo-Man]

I just traded my Shield 40 in at my local gun shop and got me a OD green Glock 23. I shoot with my nephew and niece a lot and I don't want a Kaboom to happen to them or myself. Just seems like to many reports of this for my taste.

 

[modraker]

A friend of mine just emailed me after a long time. I asked if he heard about the Shield 40 KaBoom reports. This is what he told me:

It's my understanding that the pistol is firing out of battery. That issue shouldn't be a hot round problem. It sounds like recoil spring fatigue and a faulty design that lets the striker release when the pistol is out of battery.

Would this be just another handgunner's opinion? It would be great if your friend has the credentials to back up his statement because some of us are ready to listen.

 

[m&p9cguy]

I just traded my Shield 40 in at my local gun shop and got me a OD green Glock 23. I shoot with my nephew and niece a lot and I don't want a Kaboom to happen to them or myself. Just seems like to many reports of this for my taste.

Can't say I blame you, especially if someone besides yourself is going to shoot the gun. Until the exact cause of this happening is found and not just speculation, it is better to stay on the safe side.

I have owned nothing but S&W pistols for over 40 years. Needless to say, I am a huge fan and am not putting down the Shield 40mm but I wouldn't fire one on a bet right now. Simply not worth the risk for me.

 

[OilTrader]

As much as the next guy, I would like a definitive answer from S&W as to what's going on. However, that is not going to happen anytime soon it seems.

To post things like the OP did, like blind email comments without offering any source of credibility or documented knowledge of the situation, is in my humble opinion doing a disservice to this forum and to S&W.

The fact that these kabooms happened is bad enough...we don't need to yell Fire! in a crowded theater. An answer will come, and hopefully before anyone is seriously injured. To those that own the .40S&W, you have two options: wait for an answer or continue firing away. Personally, if I owned one, I know what I would do. Each of you that own these need to draw your own conclusions and proceed accordinglg.

 

[Roger S&W]

Why is the Shield 9 not firing out of battery?

Is your friend a S&W employee?

Thanks

Russ

I would guess not as much wear and tear on the recoil spring?

No. He is not.

 

[Roger S&W]

What exactly are your friend's credentials again? If he's an engineer at S&W and is keen to the problem whilst hearing the rumblings of management I'm listening...If he's just some random guy giving his internet opinion...???

Credentials? Well, he does happen to be a mechanical engineer. In terms of firearms, he's a hobbyist. However, he has a hugely popular YouTube site where he tests guns and ammo. Has over 75 videos each having around 5,000 views. He also has a successful blog regarding the subject.

 

[epj]

In at least one instance, the ammo apparently was reloaded, unbeknown to the owner at the time. The others appear to be factory ammo. I have wondered if there is a set of circumstances that wil allow an out of battery firing.

 

[Roger S&W]

In at least one instance, the ammo apparently was reloaded, unbeknown to the owner at the time. The others appear to be factory ammo. I have wondered if there is a set of circumstances that wil allow an out of battery firing.

Ah, a brave soul steps up. Careful, the flames are not far behind you.
The other cases of factory ammo KaBoom has been called into question as to their legitimacy. (said they were shooting WWB and then he never posted again or followed up)
Underwood. We all now understand....too powerful for a small thin pistol like the Shield.

 

[jimmib]

I have been saving up for a shield 40 and will continue to do so...if things keep going the way they are I might get one pretty cheap and sit on it until they figure out the problem...one of the problems of this day and age of the internet is that we want instant answers to any problem we have on anything...this problem is more serious because it could be life threatening...I find it hard to believe that S&W isn't investigating this problem and looking for an answer ASAP...it just won't be as fast as we want it...jmho

 

[Fabius]

I just traded my Shield 40 in at my local gun shop and got me a OD green Glock 23. I shoot with my nephew and niece a lot and I don't want a Kaboom to happen to them or myself. Just seems like to many reports of this for my taste.

Should have read the Glock forums before doing that. Glock .40s are notorious for kabooms because the Glock chamber is not fully supported. The Shield chamber is fully supported.

Having said that, I owned a Glock 23 for years and put thousands of rounds through it with no problem. I have a Shield .40 now with about 1,000 rounds through it.

I shoot factory ammo and don't reload. I've been convinced for some time that the .40 kaboom stories that you see for many types of guns are because the .40 is a high pressure round that is not a good candidate for reloading or hand loading.

 

[red dragon]

You can bet your *** S&W has looked into this a lot farther then most people can fathom. We're talking about the possibility for loss of life here. Lets not forget s&w recalled their product over a drop safety. If they thought for a split second that there gun was gonna blow up don't you think they'd recall it. I do. They've looked at the kbs,they're just not giving some people the answer they want to here.

 

[Buttercup]

Should have read the Glock forums before doing that. Glock .40s are notorious for kabooms because the Glock chamber is not fully supported. The Shield chamber is fully supported.

Having said that, I owned a Glock 23 for years and put thousands of rounds through it with no problem. I have a Shield .40 now with about 1,000 rounds through it.

I shoot factory ammo and don't reload. I've been convinced for some time that the .40 kaboom stories that you see for many types of guns are because the .40 is a high pressure round that is not a good candidate for reloading or hand loading.

That was a long time ago and glock fixed their problem and now has full support on the .40's and has for awhile. The other factor in the glock problem from ages ago was the constant unloading of guns at the end of a shift by LE and sticking that round back into the top position of the mag and it was causing bullet set back in the 180grn bullets increasing the pressure. Both contributing factors were discovered and taken care of long ago. Glock even sent replacement barrels out to people as well as replaced guns.

 

[Offshell]

Ah, a brave soul steps up. Careful, the flames are not far behind you.
The other cases of factory ammo KaBoom has been called into question as to their legitimacy. (said they were shooting WWB and then he never posted again or followed up)
Underwood. We all now understand....too powerful for a small thin pistol like the Shield.

I still don't buy the Underwood argument. According to them, they'll be removing the +P designator because of all the confusion. They claim that it falls under SAAMI max and as such the Shield should be capable of firing it. It is hotter, but it shouldn't be associated with a kaboom unless it was a bad or defective round. I think it's much more likely that the ammo is to blame in these instances, but it's still not worth completely ignoring the fact that their could be an issue with the shield. That said, given the number of people shooting 40 shields out there, and the number of incidents, I really doubt that I'd have much fear in my mind taking the gun to the range with even a box of Underwood 135.

 

[Roger S&W]

You can bet your *** S&W has looked into this a lot farther then most people can fathom. We're talking about the possibility for loss of life here. Lets not forget s&w recalled their product over a drop safety. If they thought for a split second that there gun was gonna blow up don't you think they'd recall it. I do. They've looked at the kbs,they're just not giving some people the answer they want to here.

Plus, I just did an "out of battery" test on both my Shields.
Unloaded, I cocked the gun. Then I pulled the slide back slightly, about 1/8'' and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. Dead trigger. The striker did not move forward.
Case closed?

 

[Roger S&W]

Now, I didn't do my "out of battery" test cycling live ammo or holding the gun in different directions but this guy did:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKpzJGwWE50