Not the start I was hoping for with my new 9mm Shield

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FrankNmac

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I took my new M&P Shield to the gun range this evening. Ran 150 rounds of new store bought Perfecta and Federal 115 grain ammo through it. No jams or failure to eject. Pretty accurate little gun that felt good in my hands.

The only thing that I noticed at the range was that on a few closer shots (5 yards) the targets had not only the bullet holes but also a light smattering of tearing near the hole, but not touching it, like a meteor's shower would leave. I wasn't sure if my paper targets had been roughed around while in the trunk, so I didn't think much about it.

When I got home to clean the gun I made sure it was safe and followed the instructions (not my first semi pistol) to take it down. The slide would move forward about 1/8", but wouldn't come off. I tried several times, making sure the magazine was out and sear activation lever and take down lever were down. Tried pulling the trigger while trying to take the slide off. Same result every time. I can still rack the slide back and forth on the frame, just can't get it to come off when following all directions.

Oh, and the meteor shower on the target? Looking at the front opening in the barrel there are a couple of places that look like they have been shaved off a bit. Wondering if that was shavings from the barrel or bullet making that pattern.

So, I don't get to be one of those who gets on here and talks about their new Shield experience going off without a hitch. I will be calling S&W tomorrow to see about sending this brand new pistol back to them for their review and action.

Thanks for reading!
 

OKCHunter

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I took my new M&P Shield to the gun range this evening. Ran 150 rounds of new store bought Perfecta and Federal 115 grain ammo through it. No jams or failure to eject. Pretty accurate little gun that felt good in my hands.

The only thing that I noticed at the range was that on a few closer shots (5 yards) the targets had not only the bullet holes but also a light smattering of tearing near the hole, but not touching it, like a meteor's shower would leave. I wasn't sure if my paper targets had been roughed around while in the trunk, so I didn't think much about it.

When I got home to clean the gun I made sure it was safe and followed the instructions (not my first semi pistol) to take it down. The slide would move forward about 1/8", but wouldn't come off. I tried several times, making sure the magazine was out and sear activation lever and take down lever were down. Tried pulling the trigger while trying to take the slide off. Same result every time. I can still rack the slide back and forth on the frame, just can't get it to come off when following all directions.

Oh, and the meteor shower on the target? Looking at the front opening in the barrel there are a couple of places that look like they have been shaved off a bit. Wondering if that was shavings from the barrel or bullet making that pattern.

So, I don't get to be one of those who gets on here and talks about their new Shield experience going off without a hitch. I will be calling S&W tomorrow to see about sending this brand new pistol back to them for their review and action.

Thanks for reading!
Sorry to hear about your experience. The 9mm Shield is a great gun - never had a problem with mine. However, I can relate to your experience. I had one of the first .40 cal shields which had the magazine drop issue. I sent it back to S&W and they made a repair / modification to the magazine. I never had a problem after that but I could never fully trust it for self defense. I went to the 9mm for my carry gun. I guess it is always possible to get a lemon. Send it back to S&W nd they will make it right.
 

Parks 788

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I carry. The .40 Shield and the take down process can be a bear if the gun is new to you or you don't do it often. Watch some YouTube videos and I bet it will break down easy and quickly.. The other issue, is ther a burr on the end of the barrel that is causing the meteor shower of copper jacket or lead?
 

FrankNmac

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Thanks for the comments. No pics of the targets and didn't take any of the gun before I boxed it up to go back to Springfield, MA.

Called S&W a little after 7am our time and talked to a customer service rep about the issues. First he had me take the gun and go through some procedures to take the slide off. Tried a couple of different methods as directed from him to no avail. He said something isn't working correctly and told me he would send me a return label (which he did.)

He couldn't tell what the barrel issue was without having it in hand and said they would look at it when they got it back.

He asked me to box it up with a letter about the problems and to send it back so they could take a look at everything. He said the bad news is it is taking at least six weeks to get guns back as this is their busiest time of the year.

Very nice fellow and I have been pleased by S&W customer service in the past (Dad's Model 36-1 revolver I had to send to them) so nothing to do now but wait to hear back from them. I will let you know what I hear.
 

steelfingers

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Things happen but the difference is how well the customer service takes care of those things. Sounds like you've got a great start and I've never heard many bad things about S&W.
 

Shadowrider

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They used to send guns back with an extra mag for your trouble. Hopefully they better the 6 weeks. They will make it good. Sorry for your trouble, they really are great guns.
 

druryj

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They used to send guns back with an extra mag for your trouble. Hopefully they better the 6 weeks. They will make it good. Sorry for your trouble, they really are great guns.

I had to send one in for a broken extractor a few years ago, and they fixed it, and sent me a free bore brush for my trouble. I would rather have gotten a free magazine. [emoji52]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

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