M&P Shield locked up!

V

vttrailboss

Inactive
Hi.. first post. I have a S&W M&P shield .40 . I've fired about 35 rounds through it, but have a big problem. After loading some cheap ammo, and taking 4 shots I had a FTF. I dropped the magazine, and racked the slide (a round remained in the chamber). I replaced the magazine, but nothing happened when firing the next round. Now I can't fire, or pull the slide back. I'm able to pull the slide back about 1/8", but it's like it's hitting something (safety on/off with or without a magazine). The round is still in the chamber (making it illegal to mail back to S&W). Any ideas what I can do with it? Thanks for any help.
 
When you say "a round stayed in the chamber"... Did you clear that round properly and check the barrel for obstruction before loading another?

It seems like you have a stuck round possibly. It's possible that it is a broken part causing the hangup.

First call S&W, and ask what they want you to do. If they want it sent in, then do so... If they need the live round removed first... Then there are ways to take apart the pistol, but they require some detail strip ability, and not a method for most people.

There is something you can do yourself, if you do not want to take the pistol to a gunsmith to remove the live round.


Find a sturdy table, and put the muzzle end of the slide against the edge, you want to ensure the barrel is clear of the table edge. So just the top part of the slide, above the barrel should be on the table.

Then hold the grip tight, and push down forcibly.

What you are doing is using the table to gain leverage and aid in racking the slide back.


It can work, but if a broken part is the problem, it may not.
 
Basically, it was a stove pipe. I cycled the slide.. the case popped free, and everything looked good. No click/fire though, and the slide was locked up. I called S&W, but they couldn't help (aside from giving me the names of a couple local gun smiths). It really feels like something internal. I can see the round from the magazine well (with the slide held back the little it moves) and through the ports on top.
 
You can ask S&W if they will repair if you manage to get the round out using the technique described... Or if a gunsmith is needed to keep from having warranty issues.
 
Thanks for the idea on getting the round out. I'll give it a try. Appears to be a paperweight the way it is. (never had this kind of problem with Glock or Ruger)
 
The recoil spring assembly in the Shield has been known to disassemble itself. Handle with extreme care. I have a Shield .40 and have seen this problem before on other forums and taken note. +1 on having a gunsmith take it apart.
 
Right or wrong (or lucky) I got the slide off. The barrel is still in the slide(with the round), though. Didn't pop right out like when field stripping. I'm not feeling that lucky with it, so back in the safe it goes. I'll carefully take it to someone who can handle this safely (or know what is best).

By the way, the recoil spring looks kind of weird.
 
After chatting with an Army small arms repairer friend of mine. I got everything apart. Sadly, a Tulammo round was struck, but didn't fire. It wedged in the barrel, and locked everything (via the ejector). Now I have the fun time of getting it out of the barrel.
 
So here's the culprit. The primer was struck, but it's 'stuck' in there good. I tried to gently remove it, but wouldn't budge.
 

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vttrailboss said:
So here's the culprit. The primer was struck, but it's 'stuck' in there good. I tried to gently remove it, but wouldn't budge.
Click to expand...


If it's stuck in there good it sounds like it may have fired and the case is stuck. Can you see the bullet in the barrel with a light?
 
I haven't tried looking yet (gotta find my inspection mirror). I'm thinking the round 'partially' fired. Swelling the case, and probably wedging/jamming with the bullet.
 
I haven't tried looking yet (gotta find my inspection mirror). I'm thinking the round 'partially' fired. Swelling the case, and probably wedging/jamming with the bullet.
Click to expand...

Ah hell, that's gonna suck to clear.
 
Are you sure there wasn't a squib in the barrel before that round?

That thing sure is jammed up.
 
Did you inspect the barrel for an external bulge?
Have you checked for a bullet still somewhere in the barrel?
A thin dowel dropped in from the front of the barrel will show if the case is empty or if a bullet is present.
If all is well and it's just a stuck case, it shouldn't be all that hard to remove, using a very straight (preferably) steel rod and some force.
I use one fitted with shrink tubing to protect the rifling and a wooden hammer, or the handle end of a regular one.
Although in an emergency, like at the range, a suitably size phillips screwdriver and a good wack of the head on the bench has worked well, too.
If it's stubborn, (if it's a steel case, it might very well be), first pour some oil down the barrel and let it sit for awhile.
 
Ooo... I was thinking a stuck round, but was hopeful from the ability to move the slide a bit...

Yup, need a dowel to knock it out.
 
P.S.
For future reference,
The method Marine describes - pushing the slide against a table top, works pretty good, as long as there's no strange issues and the extractor is still on the case rim.
It's always fun to do it for someone else's gun and make the owners' eyes get really big. :)
 
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