Why do Some 9mm Shields have FTE? And what is the real cause?

[RussC]

Many people have had this problem. Someone must have gotten the proper repair?
I don't know why the breach face can fit a .40 cartridge in it? That could be the problem ? Who knows? I am just looking for An answer...
Would you want to carry a gun you can't trust?

DeeBee

I traded a Kahr CM9 and Beretta Nano because they were not reliable. My Shield 9mm has been 100% reliable after 1,500 rounds but I can assure you if she gave me any problems after one trip back I would kick my Shield to the curb and try a 4th weapon.

The number one priority before comfort, accuracy, the ability to conceal must be reliability in a ccw. The weapon is designed to protect you. If the gun will not go bang you are dead.

Get ride of it even if you take a loss. Your life or a loved one is worth more than the loss you will take.

Russ

 

[DeeBee]

I just cant believe, that with all the Shields sold, and all the 9mm Shields that exibit this problem that no one has an answer for me? Well the only answer so far is that I am limpristing? Come on...

 

[modraker]

Just curious, when your 9mm extracts and ejects properly, do the empties come out at the normal 4 o'clock direction and how far do they go?

 

[DeeBee]

Just curious, when your 9mm extracts and ejects properly, do the empties come out at the normal 4 o'clock direction and how far do they go?

Yes the first 80-90 rounds were ejecting like nobodys business, then 2 failures in a row, then back to ejecting like crazy for about another 80 rounds then another failure. Then I loaded a mag with Winchester Ranger 124+P T-series bonded, and the first shot failed to eject. That is the picture I took....Would not have been good in a gunfight (one shot off, and a phase 3 malfunction)

 

[forrestinmathews]

Okay so you have checked the extractor tension and also that nothing is keeping it from engaging fully?

Have you checked the length of the ejector against another S&W 9mm?

 

[DeeBee]

Okay so you have checked the extractor tension and also that nothing is keeping it from engaging fully?

Have you checked the length of the ejector against another S&W 9mm?

Yes the extractor tension feels right, and there is nothing keeping it fully engaged. I have nothing to compare the ejector to, unless the .40 uses the same, which they appear to.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Now that could be the root of the problem. The lone wolf conversions on Glocks from 40 to 9 advise changing the ejector. I would think the 9mm ejector would come over to the right more to engage the edge of the shell more positively. You could try to tune your ejector to ensure it always hit the shell rim in a manner that positively ejects. The difference in the slide cut shouldn't matter as the ejector should be engaging before the leading edge of the spent casing clears the chamber mouth. It should contact some where between seven and eight o clock on the flat of the shell where the head stamp is.

 

[smittyshield66]

i have a similar issue w/the 9 shield ,it might be because i used tulammo not for sure what happen. The casing got stuck in the ejector twice

 

[DeeBee]

Well..I just bought a 2nd brand new 9 Shield yesterday, and proceded to put 350 rounds of Winchester ammo, problem free! So I guess I wasnt limp wristing? Now the wait from S&W on the first one I sent in for repair.

 

[mjdupuis]

Got mine back recently. Just as I thought, they replaced the extractor. They also mentioned some barrel modifications, but for the life of me I can't figure out what they did. The feed ramp looks exactly as it did before.

 

[DeeBee]

Got mine back recently. Just as I thought, they replaced the extractor. They also mentioned some barrel modifications, but for the life of me I can't figure out what they did. The feed ramp looks exactly as it did before.

Thanks for the update. They didnt replace the barrel did they?

Also,please let us know how it shoots.. hopefully problem free!

 

[forrestinmathews]

You might be having FTE because your chamber has machining marks inside and the particular cases are high enough pressure to catch on them. Some of my fired brass has rings around it. I didn't have any issues though. Try running a stainless bore brush in your chamber with a drill motor. That should polish it up if needed.

 

[mjdupuis]

Thanks for the update. They didnt replace the barrel did they?

Also,please let us know how it shoots.. hopefully problem free!

I was about to say "no," but decided to take another look, and they did replace it. Not sure why they would say "barrel modifications" but it is a new barrel.
I'll take it shooting tomorrow and report.

 

[jeeps]

SW has great service and if there is a problem they will correct it.

 

[DeeBee]

The reason is the SW auto's are cheaply made auto's. Spend a little more and buy a Glock or Sig. I do like there no-lock SW-642 ,so far its been reliable.

If Glock made something comparable to the Shield, I would consider it.... And then buy the Shield. It is a niche gun, and it fills my niche.

 

[jeeps]

I had my shield 9mm for two months and sold it for $275. Worst most unreliable cheaply made auto I ever owned next to Kel-tec. I had a hard time selling it at the show which was packed. The weather is cooler now and I pack my Colt Commander OWB just fine with the SW 642 pocket back-up. Smith makes a nice no-lock 642 that fills the pocket role reliable. My *** Shield was made in May-2013.

 

[DeeBee]

I had my shield 9mm for two months and sold it for $275. Worst most unreliable cheaply made auto I ever owned next to Kel-tec. I had a hard time selling it at the show which was packed. The weather is cooler now and I pack my Colt Commander OWB just fine with the SW 642 pocket back-up. Smith makes a nice no-lock 642 that fills the pocket role reliable. My *** Shield was made in May-2013.

I take it you had the failure to eject/exctract issues? The one I just sent back was April/2013. My 40s have never given me one problem. I dont know why you say it is cheaply made? Seems WAY better than a Kel-Tec?

 

[SmurfHunter]

I had my shield 9mm for two months and sold it for $275. Worst most unreliable cheaply made auto I ever owned next to Kel-tec. I had a hard time selling it at the show which was packed. The weather is cooler now and I pack my Colt Commander OWB just fine with the SW 642 pocket back-up. Smith makes a nice no-lock 642 that fills the pocket role reliable. My *** Shield was made in May-2013.

As stated in the other thread you got HAD at the show. You could have sold that gun on here or any other site for $350 all day long without question.

 

[hogblue]

Well after reading this thread I'm glad I opted for my shield in 40. Over 400 failure free rounds so far. No mag drops either. Runs like a singer sewing machine.

 

[MP1SG]

I have the shield 9 and 40. Over 1,600 round through the 9 (give or take a mag or 2 ) without one SINGLE malfunction. Cant say that about My Glocks or Sig. Glock great gun, Sig Great Gun, S&W great gun.
That Shield is real nice, Light Compact reliable and accurate. I have an ever so slight issue with the mag capacity, But with a pistol as accurate as this shield i am slowly getting over that.
Like many on this forum i have many many pistols 8 glocks,7 Sigs, 2 berettas, 3 H&K's 2 Keltecs and 9 M&Ps.
I always always gravitate back to my Shield 9mm.
Oh by the way the 40 runs like a champ also
Thanks
1SG
Out