Not a Gunsmith but need Shield feedback

[WestTexShooter]

perhaps just another example of family curse, but in the last 2 months we have bought a Shield 2.0 9mm and a Shield .45.

Attractive features - great price.

But BOTH pistols had the same problem new and directly out of the box.

That is, the “firing pin safety” (the little spring loaded cylinder next to the striker pin on the slide?) were defective new from the factory with no rounds being fired on our part.

I always clean a new pistol before going to the range with it for the first time.

And on the 9mm, the striker would protrude thru the breech face (?) without the safety plunger being depressed. in other words- if the pistol were to be dropped the striker could hit the round with the safety plunger not preventing it at all.

On the .45, the striker could also protrude but for a different reason. The cylindrical plunger was permanently depressed!

I have no doubt S&W would have given excellent service, but due to it being a safety issue (if I have a proper understanding of how the mechanism works) we demanded the dealer replace the pistols. We did so respectfully and they exchanged them in a professional manner.

When I was first trained on a Glock many years ago, the instructor taught us to clean a new pistol before firing and to check for this type of striker malfunction.

Sorry for long post but has anyone else had this happen, heard of a recall, or any info on this?

Thx.

 

[JTQ]

perhaps just another example of family curse, but in the last 2 months we have bought a Shield 2.0 9mm and a Shield .45.

That is, the “firing pin safety” (the little spring loaded cylinder next to the striker pin on the slide?) were defective new from the factory with no rounds being fired on our part.

I always clean a new pistol before going to the range with it for the first time.

And on the 9mm, the striker would protrude thru the breech face (?) without the safety plunger being depressed. in other words- if the pistol were to be dropped the striker could hit the round with the safety plunger not preventing it at all.

On the .45, the striker could also protrude but for a different reason. The cylindrical plunger was permanently depressed!

When I was first trained on a Glock many years ago, the instructor taught us to clean a new pistol before firing and to check for this type of striker malfunction.

Are you noticing this problem before you clean the new pistol or after?

By "clean a new pistol" do you mean field strip and clean, or are you completely stripping the slide (all the parts are disassembled)?

If the latter, is it possible you put it back together incorrectly?

 

[BSA1]

Interesting.

I can't help but notice that you did not say if you shot the guns before returning them. Also you do not say whether you have shot the replacement guns.

 

[entropy]

perhaps just another example of family curse, but in the last 2 months we have bought a Shield 2.0 9mm and a Shield .45.

Attractive features - great price.

But BOTH pistols had the same problem new and directly out of the box.

That is, the “firing pin safety” (the little spring loaded cylinder next to the striker pin on the slide?) were defective new from the factory with no rounds being fired on our part.

I always clean a new pistol before going to the range with it for the first time.

And on the 9mm, the striker would protrude thru the breech face (?) without the safety plunger being depressed. in other words- if the pistol were to be dropped the striker could hit the round with the safety plunger not preventing it at all.

On the .45, the striker could also protrude but for a different reason. The cylindrical plunger was permanently depressed!

I have no doubt S&W would have given excellent service, but due to it being a safety issue (if I have a proper understanding of how the mechanism works) we demanded the dealer replace the pistols. We did so respectfully and they exchanged them in a professional manner.

When I was first trained on a Glock many years ago, the instructor taught us to clean a new pistol before firing and to check for this type of striker malfunction.

Sorry for long post but has anyone else had this happen, heard of a recall, or any info on this?

Thx.

They could be defective from the factory, but my money is on your incorrectly preparing the guns for firing, and failing to check function on subassemblies before reassembling the pistol.

 

[WestTexShooter]

Are you noticing this problem before you clean the new pistol or after?

By "clean a new pistol" do you mean field strip and clean, or are you completely stripping the slide (all the parts are disassembled)?

If the latter, is it possible you put it back together incorrectly?

Actually during the initial cleaning.

And per your correct description “field strip”. I in no way would feel qualified to disassemble beyond what is required to clean the pistol.

Thx.

 

[WestTexShooter]

Interesting.

I can't help but notice that you did not say if you shot the guns before returning them. Also you do not say whether you have shot the replacement guns.

No, we did not shoot the first pistols - just returned them and both dealers (different stores) thought it to be a problem.

And both dealers, of their own volition, checked the replacements before we left and the striker on both would not protrude without the “plunger” from being depressed.

Both new pistols have performed well, the issue has not showed up on them, and of course they are more accurate than I am.

I was really curious if others thought the initial problem was in fact a problem, and if anyone had any info.

Thanks for reply.

 

[WestTexShooter]

They could be defective from the factory, but my money is on your incorrectly preparing the guns for firing, and failing to check function on subassemblies before reassembling the pistol.

Well, the only thing we did was break them down for cleaning - no disassembly as it were.

I am not saying S&W has a problem, because I am not qualified to do so.

But I have had, and still do have, Glocks / SIGS / CZ / Ruger / S&W striker fired pistols and just thought this was unusual.

Thx for reply and info.

 

[Bartojc]

I am not sure your average Shield purchaser would know enough to to check such a thing. Your observation is interesting for sure.

Jeff