Break-in issues with 9mm M&P Shield Compact

[gemini1]

Just as suggested above, load both your mags to full cap, lock the slide open and leave it alone for about a week. This was what I did when I first got my Shield. Never had any issues, even with my reloads at min charge.
What I find odd is how you cant load either mag to full cap? have you tried to disassemble the mags and check the spring, if its binding somewhere?
Im barely 115 lbs, but I can fully load both mags that came with the gun and the extra 8 rounder I bought months later. It is a little stiff at the 7th and 8th rounds, but keeping it fully loaded does help loosening it up.

[kegs]

Sounds like you're describing a "double feed," where two live rounds are trying to enter the chamber at the same time; one is actually in the chamber and the other has been grabbed from the top of the magazine, off the follower, and is being forced into the rear of unfired round in the chamber.

Is that what you're describing?

This can be caused by a couple of factors, but one of the more common causes is that, when a shooter is manually pulling back or racking the slide (slingshot), he or she does so too slowly and/or not far enough back. If this is the cause, then to avoid this problem in the future, one must learn to violently rack the slide all the way back (while your grip hand is pushing forward on the grip), and allowing the slide then to snap forward quickly, releasing the tension of the guide rod spring and seating the weapon (and one round) into full battery by means of the slide's own force and momentum.

Again, I would suggest a foundational handgun course from a professional instructor if you have not already explored that.

Thanks. I was releasing the slide safety, pulling fully back, and then letting it go.

When reassembling might I have installed the slide recoil spring not properly? It seemed to be a yes/no installation.

[crosseyedshooter]

How is it possible to get a double-feed of two unfired cartridges? The chambered round has to fire in order to push the slide back. If this is only happening when you manually cycle the slide on a loaded chamber and mag, then it's not a gun malfunction.

Maybe you could take some videos of what's happening so we can diagnose it more easily.

[neomedic]

Only can give feedback on one Shield 9mm. Feed winchester white box. First 150 rounds have been trouble free. No issues. Magazines seems ok. Able to load 7 rounds without any aid.

[carlkin]

I have tendonitis in both hands. The Shield is so difficult to load the magazine that I use a mag loader. Using the Maglula with a modified 1911 insert makes it easy. My mags have been loaded and used since October 2015, they have not gotten any easier. Also I do have issues with the slide going into battery occasionally when loading and stripping a round from a full magazine. The slide release, forget about using it.

[BPS]

We've got to 9mm shields between the wife & I. The wife has trouble loading mags so I bought her the maglula & it makes loading mags a breeze, I even use it if we're at the range & we're burning through the mags.

Between both of our shields we've got upwards of 2,000 rounds through ours without a hickup.

The slide release, forget about using it.

Its a slide LOCK not a release, its only a slide release in the movies.

Lee

[kegs]

Thanks all, will try some different ammo and disassemble the magazines to see what's up with the springs. I'm no World's Strongest Man contestant, but between myself and my friend who's quite large, we were amazed at how hard it was to load those stupid magazines.

[kegs]

Its a slide LOCK not a release, its only a slide release in the movies.

Lee

Good point!

[doctord23]

I installed the mag guts spring kit in both of my 7-round (now 8) magazines.
I only struggle getting #8 in since running a few full pulls through them at the range.

[micro911]

My shield's 7 and 8 round magazines are tight on the last round when loading, but have never had a problem feeding or shooting.

[ElvenSoul]

Try another ammo

Not uncommon for S&B to be problematic in semi autos

Google it

[kegs]

Try another ammo

Not uncommon for S&B to be problematic in semi autos

Google it

Thanks, wish I had known before I bought hundreds of rounds of the stuff!

[_Nick_]

My first day at the range with my Glock 19 I had multiple cases get caught by the slide during ejection. Someone told me you have to hold Glocks very tight. Fixed it for me.

I did have the same issue with some non crimped reloads from a local range supplier. Either the lack of crimp or the powder could have been the issue I suppose, they were quite strong IMO.

I load 4.6 grains with 115 FMJ rounds myself and have noticed less kick, as well as less stove piping. I Don't have to squeeze the grip as hard, and have more control and tighter grouping. HP38 powder if it matters.

[Jimi Jah]

After 500 rounds mine is easy to load, easy to pull, fun to shoot. This gun needs more break-in than most, give it time (and lots of ammo).

[Webologist]

Own two Shields (one in .40 and one in 9mm) and they've functioned flawlessly; the 40 is nearing 1,000 rounds and the 9 about 200. Have not ever heard of others having the issues you're describing...

Couple of questions I'd be asking, off the top of my head, to try and pinpoint the cause(s):

--happening on all mags, or just one in particular?

--happening with all ammo, or just this brand?

--is the gun failing to return fully to battery upon manual slingshot or upon firing, or both? (Are you limp-wristing your grip/shots?)

These guns are so gosh darn reliable right out of the box, usually, that I'm inclined to think it's (1) an ammo issue or, (2) hate to say suggest, operator error (i.e. possible limpwristing).

As far as the tight springs, that's normal out of the box. You could consider keeping the mags fully stuffed when not in use and, over the course of a month or so with the springs being fully compressed 24/7, they'll loosen up a bit.

Similar experience here. I know of five Shields, four 9mm and one .40 that are similarly flawless. That said, the main and magazine springs are absurdly strong when new and loosen up over time.

Also as stated, the slide lock lever is useful for locking the slide back manually, but unlike Glocks or HKs, cannot easily be used to release the slide on a Shield.