Question for Shield Owners?

[bluesmoke9]

I have a CA version Shield with the LCI. I went to the range today and noticed two things I haven't noticed before. With no round in the chamber, the front portion of the LCI is sitting lower than the slide. Before today I thought the LCI sat flush with the top of the slide. Also, on several occasions, when I racked the slide it did not go completely into battery and the LCI did not go up. A little push on the back of the slide got it closed. Basically, I'm wondering if something broke under the LCI (nothing visable) that is causing the part that contacts the round to sit lower than normal and keeping the slide from going into battery. Thoughts?

[Fizz]

My LCI "up" stamp sits below the slide. Before the "up" is virtually flush with the slide.

One thing I've noticed with the shield, especially when new is that the recoil spring is damn stiff. In the slide locked position there's not a lot of rearward movement possible (this movement allow's for some 'take up' while you get the slide moving back... don't have a lot of distance to build up inertia before the slide won't move any further). The pistol itself is pretty light as well. As a result slingshotting the slide properly is a little harder than many guns. I can cause mine to not enter battery properly fairly easily if I guide the slide forward at all. The gun likes (requires?) to be set into battery under full power of spring.

Also, remember that the lock is not meant to be a 'release' - the M&P series requires slingshotting. Releasing via the lock 'works' but it it's difficult and unreliable.

[erik_26]

I have a CA version Shield with the LCI. I went to the range today and noticed two things I haven't noticed before. With no round in the chamber, the front portion of the LCI is sitting lower than the slide. Before today I thought the LCI sat flush with the top of the slide. Also, on several occasions, when I racked the slide it did not go completely into battery and the LCI did not go up. A little push on the back of the slide got it closed. Basically, I'm wondering if something broke under the LCI (nothing visable) that is causing the part that contacts the round to sit lower than normal and keeping the slide from going into battery. Thoughts?

My LCI "up" stamp sits below the slide. Before the "up" is virtually flush with the slide.

One thing I've noticed with the shield, especially when new is that the recoil spring is damn stiff. In the slide locked position there's not a lot of rearward movement possible (this movement allow's for some 'take up' while you get the slide moving back... don't have a lot of distance to build up inertia before the slide won't move any further). The pistol itself is pretty light as well. As a result slingshotting the slide properly is a little harder than many guns. I can cause mine to not enter battery properly fairly easily if I guide the slide forward at all. The gun likes (requires?) to be set into battery under full power of spring.

Also, remember that the lock is not meant to be a 'release' - the M&P series requires slingshotting. Releasing via the lock 'works' but it it's difficult and unreliable.

Do both of you have the .40 S&W?

I have tried multiple times to get my 9mm version to fire out of battery. It will not. I have just under 500 round through it and haven't had any issues. It goes into battery every time.

[JDW67]

Ditto to what erik said.

It took a few hundred rounds for my Shield to loosen up.

[bluesmoke9]

Do both of you have the .40 S&W?

I have tried multiple times to get my 9mm version to fire out of battery. It will not. I have just under 500 round through it and haven't had any issues. It goes into battery every time.

I have a 9mm. And the only time it has the out of battery issue is when racking that initial round into the chamber. While firing I've had no issues at all.

[bluesmoke9]

My LCI "up" stamp sits below the slide. Before the "up" is virtually flush with the slide.

One thing I've noticed with the shield, especially when new is that the recoil spring is damn stiff. In the slide locked position there's not a lot of rearward movement possible (this movement allow's for some 'take up' while you get the slide moving back... don't have a lot of distance to build up inertia before the slide won't move any further). The pistol itself is pretty light as well. As a result slingshotting the slide properly is a little harder than many guns. I can cause mine to not enter battery properly fairly easily if I guide the slide forward at all. The gun likes (requires?) to be set into battery under full power of spring.

Also, remember that the lock is not meant to be a 'release' - the M&P series requires slingshotting. Releasing via the lock 'works' but it it's difficult and unreliable.

Thanks for the take. I'll a little unclear about where your LCI sits though.

[Fizz]

Do both of you have the .40 S&W?

I have tried multiple times to get my 9mm version to fire out of battery. It will not. I have just under 500 round through it and haven't had any issues. It goes into battery every time.

I've never had an out of battery fire experience on any firearm nor is that my understanding of the OPs issue. To be clear, I've only had an issue with my 9mm shield entering battery due to being unfamiliar with the gun, poor technique and stiff new spring.

[Fizz]

Thanks for the take. I'll a little unclear about where your LCI sits though.

The ramp on the LCI isn't completely flat. There's a drop about where the "up" in "loaded when up" stamp.

Might be different if you've a 40 though.

[tacos3]

Mine does seem to sit below the top of the back of the barrel. I have about 500 rounds through my CA 9mm shield and it's still pretty stiff. when I do a press check, the slide tension does not fully put it back into battery. I have to push it forward to get it to seat.

[MrSam]

That's how my friend's CA Shield is (200 shots through it)

[Fizz]

I have a 9mm. And the only time it has the out of battery issue is when racking that initial round into the chamber. While firing I've had no issues at all.

This behavior coincides with not being slingshotted right. There's just as much energy in the slide from a slingshot as one that's cycling due to a cartridge unless you guide it forward.

[erik_26]

Mine does seem to sit below the top of the back of the barrel. I have about 500 rounds through my CA 9mm shield and it's still pretty stiff. when I do a press check, the slide tension does not fully put it back into battery. I have to push it forward to get it to seat.

I just tried to create what I think you are talking about and have failed.

I think that you are suggesting that your CAM&P 9 Shield will not go into full battery when releasing the slide from the slide release, correct?

I cleared my weapon, inserted a mag, release the slide (only using the slide release), the weapon loaded, confirmed weapon was in full battery ready to fire. I tried pushing on the slide to look for additional forward movement and there was none.

This behavior coincides with not being slingshotted right. There's just as much energy in the slide from a slingshot as one that's cycling due to a cartridge unless you guide it forward.

I am assuming that 'slingshotted' means you pull the slide all the way back off the slide release then let it go to allow it to travel forward to load, correct?

By all means I do not mean this in any disrespect or in an condescending tone, is it possible that you are limp wristing the firearm and not allowing the full energy of the return spring to be used by the slide?

I've never had an out of battery fire experience on any firearm nor is that my understanding of the OPs issue. To be clear, I've only had an issue with my 9mm shield entering battery due to being unfamiliar with the gun, poor technique and stiff new spring.

I am not sure how being unfamiliar with the firearm or a stiff spring would cause the problem you are experiencing?

While the you may not have had experience with that particular firearm, the M&P shield functions just like dozens of other semi-auto handguns.

A stiff spring I suppose could make it hard to pull the slide all the way back. However, if you're able to catch the slide lock then a stiff spring if anything would slam the heck out of the slide back into battery.

If you have time and the capability, can you post a video of the issue you are experiencing?

[gemini1]

Mine does seem to sit below the top of the back of the barrel. I have about 500 rounds through my CA 9mm shield and it's still pretty stiff. when I do a press check, the slide tension does not fully put it back into battery. I have to push it forward to get it to seat.

Why do you need to press check your Shield, when you have the LCI telling you if your gun is loaded or not?

[twotacocombo]

Why do you need to press check your Shield, when you have the LCI telling you if your gun is loaded or not?

The LCI isn't failproof. I can think of several ways the flag could stick in the up position on an empty chamber...

[erik_26]

Mine does seem to sit below the top of the back of the barrel. I have about 500 rounds through my CA 9mm shield and it's still pretty stiff. when I do a press check, the slide tension does not fully put it back into battery. I have to push it forward to get it to seat.

Ok, I was able to create what I think you are talking about now.

When I load the firearm then pull the slide back ~1/4" to confirm a round is in the chamber then release the slide from that position, it does not go back into full battery.

Mine does this too.

Now, as others stated, I am not sure why you would do this when you have the LCI?