Returning my Smith and Wesson M&P Shield

First and only take posted here. Just sharing my experience of having to return this gun to S&W after only 1 month of having the gun. There appears to be some inconsistent groves/markings around the crown of the barrel. Smith and Wesson has asked me to return the gun to them so they can make it right. Let me know if you have had a similar experience with your M&P Shield.

[@bobmohr4952]

Add some mag extenders. Maybe you adjusted the sights? Good thing Smith & Wesson one of only a couple gun manufacturers with lifetime warranty’s for original purchaser. Paid shipment both ways.

[@marquezindaflesh2877]

I just bought mine and its perfectly round I shot it at range yet cant wait

[@marquezindaflesh2877]

Haven't shot at range yet correction

[@J.R.F.23]

My Shield is accurate, and my crown does not look that different than yours. Have you gone to the range with someone that also owns a Shield, to shoot both comparing them back and forth. In the long run, S&W "WILL" make it right (great company)

[@ezrabrooks12]

Theirs something wrong with the crown on that barrel.I learned the hard way when I bought a Ruger 10/22 from wall-mart 5-6 years ago.It had a small DING on the CROWN(IDIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT/IT DIDN'T LOOK BAD),It was the last one they had and THEY didn't know when they would get any more in,so i bought it.I had to take the BARREL OFF AND HAVE A GUNSMITH RE-CROWN IT/THE DAMN THING WAS SHOOTING ALL OVER THE PLACE.WAL-MART WAS NO HELP,THE DUMB BASTARDS SAID I MUST HAVE DROPPED IT.I DON'T AS A RULE BUY ANY GUNS/AMMO FROM WAL-MART,I WON'T BE BUYING ANY MORE GUNS AGAIN,UNLESS THEY ARE PERFECT.

[@caribesd]

I had the same issue with the markings on the barrel after only 150 Rounds. I returned mine a week later and lost $160.00.That crap is not normal. We got what we paid for.

[@chaplainrev4533]

Thanks, I'll be contacting S&W in the morning as my crown has similar flat spots but in different areas. My shield is inaccurate and has been frustrating since purchasing it. Hope you get your gun back fixed and in a timely manner.

[@chaplainrev4533]

S&W with no problem sent me the free insured shipping label and was at their facility in two days. Since looking further into this I checked my S&W .38 bodyguard revolver and low and behold the crown and barrel is even worse than the M&P. I'm going to wait and see what their conclusion is before sending the Bodyguard to them. ZeroNine if you could post what S&W decided to do with your M&P would be appreciated.

[@Zer0Nine]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqeYZGqchd6Xd80

[@michaelsabella5924]

I bought my sw 9mm S&P about 1 month ago and I checked my barrel and it is perfectly round. The groves inside the barrel stop at the end and dont continue thru to the crown.

[@billm4262]

Mine has the same markings and also extremely inaccurate.

[@Zer0Nine]

S&W received the gun 2 weeks ago. I contacted them today and they had no update for me. I was quoted another 2.5 weeks before I could expect any update on the status of the repair.

[@chaplainrev4533]

+ZeroNine Thanks. I'm waiting to see their explanation regarding the shield before sending in the bodyguard. I'll keep an eye out for your update.

[@chaplainrev4533]

+ZeroNine My Shield arrived at S&W on 2/24/16 and received word today that I'm getting it back this Friday 3/4/16. After contacting them by phone and asking what their diagnosis was for the flat spots on the barrel, I was told they REPLACED the barrel. Now to send the Bodyguard and hope I get the same service as the Shield. Hope your gun is repaired. Please share your experience with us.

[@Zer0Nine]

Chaplain Rev That's good news for you. I'm surprised that I haven't had any update from them since sending it in. It's been with them since Feb. 17th. Called last week and was told there was no update and to expect an update after 4-6 weeks. I don't get the reason for the delay. If someone sees the barrel and its not right, how long does it take to replace the barrel and send it back? If the barrel is normal per their standards, then tell me so and send the gun back. I guess as long as the issue is resolved I don't mind waiting a bit but 4-6 weeks waiting for an update on something like this seems excessive in my opinion.

[@chaplainrev4533]

+ZeroNine sorry for the delay as I'm with you about replacing the barrel and sending it back to you in a reasonable amount of time. Thank you for making us all aware of this issue by your video and I'm telling everyone I know that owns one. Once I get the Shield back I'm sending in the Bodyguard. I'll keep you updated.

[@doubletap3524]

Thats what was going on with one that i had.. i traded it in REAL QUICK.... it was shots all over at 15 feet... I knew it wasnt ke cuz i shoot all kinds of guns.. but im thinking of giving this gun another chance

[@mercyNside]

hmm.. Very interesting. You should have no problem hitting paper at 5-7 yards! I've never seen a flat spot like that. Hope it all works out. Keep us posted!

[@abc456f]

I somehow managed to scratch the outside of the barrel.of my m and p sport 2 on the bench at my range. I contacted s and w, they sent my a prepaid mailing label and in less than 2 weeks I had my rifle back with the barrel refinished, no questions asked. I recently purchased a shield which I haven't gotten to the range yet but am going to take a look at it after seeing this. I have and m and p bodyguard .380 which has run flawlessly. Couldn't be happier with their customer service. Before I bought the shield I got a kahr cm9 which has given me nothing but problems. I need to try different ammo and if I still have issues I'll be sending it back to Kahr then sell it on gunbroker.com. I wanted a pocket 9mm and the shield fits just fine in the same desantis nemesis holster I bought for the kahr. I added the magguts +2 kit to the shield 7 round mag making it now 9+1 and it gives me a full three finger grip. Hoping it performs well once I get to shoot it.

[@markseven6046]

I noticed on your gun the barrel doesn't necessarily look centered. Mine is centered but pushed up towards the top. Yours looks off to the right with it pointed at you. Up and to the right.

[@33fastcar]

Im lucky! My shield had a 1.5" POA at 7 yards. Perfect barrel. My question is on the white markings on your pistol. Did it come that way or did you do that? I kind of like it. Thought I would ask.

[@Edwardwjq]

I bought mine couple weeks ago, and had the same "chips" and the tip of the barrel. I was going to call S&W and send it back. But I talked with a gunsmith at the store I bought it before calling. He recommended cleaning the barrel with some gun barrel cleaner to see if it is real chip or just lead coating caused by the ammo. I cleaned it, and the "chips" are gone. No loosing paint at all. Not sure if this was your case as well.

[@jeffreyehlers1605]

Wish I could send you a pic of mine

[@saidgrc]

wow i bought an M&P9 about a month ago and it has the same problem, i was kind of mad because my glock 17 has perfectly round barrel and my favorite gun the M&P doesnt! yea imma look into sending mines to S&W

[@brucejames7089]

mine looks the same keep us updated on this. i was wondering about the crown on mine to thanks

[@Zer0Nine]

+Bruce James Will do. So far its been a week since I mailed it out. I've received an email from them confirming they have my gun but no estimate on when they will update me on the repair or when I can expect to get it back. Stay tuned.

[@marshalljones4315]

I'm currently looking at my shield 9mm and my barrell does not have those grooves along the barrell nor any flat spots my barrell is perfectly consistent all around it 0_o

[@Zer0Nine]

+Marshall Jones-Paragon Fury Yeah. Like I mentioned, some of the Shields I've seen are just like you've described. Perfectly round. Others, for some reason, are grooved out like what I've shown in the video.

[@marshalljones4315]

+ZeroNine oh that'd odd, are some shields manafactured in different places?

[@Zer0Nine]

Just to update everyone: I contacted S&W again today and was told that they were replacing my barrel and are set to ship my gun back to me. Once I get the gun back I'll post an update video and take it out to the range for some testing.

[@FarrisTX]

any update on the gun. I have a 9c and I am running through the same issue. I shoot my glock 19 and 43 with no issues, but the 9c I can't shoot it at all.

[@Redant23]

ZeroNine good luck I just returned my brand new 15-22 rifle due to failure to eject issues. I really hope the fix it and fix it right.

[@RP-pi9yp]

wow, my shield barrel crown is grooved like the one in this vid . I assumed it was normal , guess not .

[@CWB1863]

I have the same issue.I didn't notice it(had mine for almost three years) until i saw your video.I contacted S&W about it and also sent them a picture.After a few days they got back to me.The Technician and Rep that looked at the pic didn't see any issues.Are you kidding me?I even sent them a link to your video for a reference. I took it to my gunsmith today and he clearly noticed it.To be honest, i really didn't notice any accuracy issues prior.I'm gonna take it to the range and pay closer attention in a couple weeks. They did say, if i had issues in the future with grouping, target etc... they would take a look at the firearm.We'll see...

[@chaplainrev4533]

+CWB1863 What did your gunsmith say that might have caused the flat spots?

[@CWB1863]

Initial look at it, he thinks it may have been the machinery at the factory.He said he could buff it out without a problem.Then later i decided to get another opinion from another S&W rep who was extremely helpful.I sent him the pic as well and he got back to me a couple hours later.He also agreed that despite cosmetically it may look bad, but i shouldn't have any issues.He also stated they wouldn't replace the barrel, just test it out if i decided to send it to them.Again, i'll just take it to the range and be even more mindful on my groupings.

[@chaplainrev4533]

+CWB1863 not sure if you saw the reply to ZeroNine the original video, but S&W have claimed to have replaced the barrel on my gun and I'm waiting for today's delivery of it. I'll post an update once it's returned.

[@CWB1863]

Two reps said they wouldn't replace it.And again, both looked at the pic and said i shouldn't have an issue.Non of my other handguns have that issue.Look forward to your update!

[@chaplainrev4533]

+CWB1863 Were the two Reps from S&W? What was their explanation for not replacing the barrel? My gun has been returned and the barrel has been replaced and tested at their range. No Charge.