MP Shield 9mm problems

[12Pump]

I just bought a new Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm, and there are some things about it that I'm wondering if they're normal or not. Perhaps someone who has one can shed some insight into the problems I'm having.

First, the magazines are really hard to load, and require a mag loading tool beyond the first 2 rounds to load the mags any further. A mag tool was not included, but thankfully I have one from a different pistol that works alright with it. Once a mag is loaded, it's extremely difficult to insert it all the way into the pistol. Even if I hit the bottom of the mag to get it to seat, it's not enough. I have to lay the gun upside down on a surface and then apply my bodyweight to the bottom of the mag to insert it all the way. This is the case if the slide is closed. No problem if it's open though. That brings us to the next problem. With the slide open and mag inserted, I can't press the slide release to release the slide. No matter how hard I press it, the slide will not release.

I've heard the Shield is one of the most popular pistols of it's type, so it's hard to believe the problems I'm having are normal. Will things improve over time and with more use?

 

[Styx]

I just bought a new Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm, and there are some things about it that I'm wondering if they're normal or not. Perhaps someone who has one can shed some insight into the problems I'm having.

First, the magazines are really hard to load, and require a mag loading tool beyond the first 2 rounds to load the mags any further. A mag tool was not included, but thankfully I have one from a different pistol that works alright with it. Once a mag is loaded, it's extremely difficult to insert it all the way into the pistol. Even if I hit the bottom of the mag to get it to seat, it's not enough. I have to lay the gun upside down on a surface and then apply my bodyweight to the bottom of the mag to insert it all the way. This is the case if the slide is closed. No problem if it's open though. That brings us to the next problem. With the slide open and mag inserted, I can't press the slide release to release the slide. No matter how hard I press it, the slide will not release.

I've heard the Shield is one of the most popular pistols of it's type, so it's hard to believe the problems I'm having are normal. Will things improve over time and with more use?

Common when new. The mags and slide stop are very tight. How hard it is to load a mag to capacity depends of the persons hand strength IMHO. It was difficult but not impossible for me to load to capacity by hand...

It'll loosen up after a while.

 

[12Pump]

Common when new. The mags and slide stop are very tight. How hard it is to load a mag to capacity depends of the persons hand strength IMHO. It was difficult but not impossible for me to load to capacity by hand...

It'll loosen up after a while.

That's good to know. Thanks!

 

[JTQ]

Fairly common for many auto pistols. Many folks simply don't fully load their new mags until the springs have relaxed a bit. To speed that up, you could thumb the rounds in and out of the mags over and over, or load them up and let them sit for a week or two.

 

[Outlaw75]

Load your mags a couple of days prior to going to the range and let them sit. It will help.

I have not tried this with mine, but I have been told that seating the mag is more technique than anything else. It seems that most people insert your typical handgun mag by sliding it 80 or 90% of the way in, then give it a firm push the rest of the way to seat it. The trick with the Shield it to slide the mag in only about 10% of the way, then use the heel of your hand to give it a good firm push the rest of the way in using one swift motion. YMMV, however.

 

[huntsman]

It’s a slide catch not a release, rack the slide to release and put some rounds through it will loosen it up all around.

 

[TonyAngel]

Why are you fighting the mag spring? It will loosen up with use. Load it to capacity and then unload it by shooting it. If you can't insert the mag with it full, download it by one round. If you still can't, lock the slide back before inserting the mag.

 

[1KPerDay]

If you slingshot the slide it releases and chambers a round right?

 

[bluecollar]

Have you thought about going with a shield ez? It’s designed to address many of the problems you are dealing with.

 

[FL-NC]

I have one that I have had no issues with.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have a Shield in 40. No problem getting the loaded mag into the pistol. The magazine springs are pretty stiff and I use a loader also. I don't use the slide release. Simply pull back on the slide with the loaded magazine in the pistol. You are good to go.

 

[SteadyD]

The shield mags are the hardest I’ve ever tried to load when new.

 

[mrmike7189]

all good comments......totally normal issues with the shield......it takes a long time to loosen up. and the recoil spring is heavy too...but it is a quality pistol for cheap $$

 

[daniel craig]

Not uncommon when new. Until it loosens up a bit I’d say don’t even mess with the slide release, just pull the slide the rest of they way back and let it go. I was always taught, perhaps archaically that you should think of the slide release as stop and not a release, so that’s what I do. The mags will loosen up a bit, don’t make any opinions on it till you e put 300 rounds or more through it. That’s about what it took mine to loosen up.

As for loading mags without a reloading tool...life is too short to not have an uplula.

 

[Robbins290]

I have 3 shields. All were like that when new. I recommend inserting the full mag while the slide is locked back until the mags “break in”. You will be carrying 8 rounds vs 8+1. But its alot easier with a new shield.

 

[kcofohio]

My guess, because they are a double stack for a compact, they need the extra spring tension for a reliable feed.
I have about 10 Shield factory magazines for 40 and 9mm. They are all stiff. I have 1 Pro-mag in 9mm. I can't remember if it is different.

 

[Cornhusker77]

I have 3 Shields, one in each caliber, and they are the reason I have a mag loader.
They do get easier.
As others have said, it's a slide stop, not really a slide release, although if you have strong hands, you can release using it.
I'd just use a loader, slingshot the slide and enjoy.

 

[mmb617]

The shield mags are the hardest I’ve ever tried to load when new.

I have a Compact .45 and it was way harder to load than my Shield when new. Both are probably easier now but I wouldn't know as I always use an Uplula on them and that makes anything relatively easy. Even with the loader the .45 still takes a firm push for the last round.

I was always taught, perhaps archaically that you should think of the slide release as stop and not a release, so that’s what I do.

As for loading mags without a reloading too....life is too short to not have an uplula.

I completely agree with both these statements.

I always insert a full mag with the slide locked back. It's much easier to seat the mag and I don't worry about having one less round, especially at the range.

 

[zaitcev]

With the slide open and mag inserted, I can't press the slide release to release the slide. No matter how hard I press it, the slide will not release.

It is my understanding that Shield was designed when it was fashionable in the tactical circles to eschew the use of the slide release. The reasoning for this was not entirely flawless, and nowadays the top instructors say that students may either press the release or pull the slide in order to load the gun. Shield is not the only gun from the period designed with not using the release in mind. In fact, some guns do not even have a slide stop control at all! Taurus in particular made guns like that. If the operator wanted to put the slide on the stop, he was supposed to insert an empty magazine.

 

[Styx]

I've owned 5 Shields in various calibers and trims. I only had issues with using the slide stop as a slide release with one of them if memory serves me correctly. I still have my 3" Shield 45 Performance Center, and using the slide release to drop the slide is just as easy as any other pistol I own.

 

[d'zaster]

I have a shield chambered in 40. Yeah, mags hard to load when new. Cant get the locked back slide to go into battery by pushing the slide stop lever. It's impossible to do this with the example I have.