Magazine dropping out

bearman · August 5th, 2012, 10:04 AM

what change did they make on the other m&p`s to fix it? better material, part design?

Vindic8 · August 12th, 2012, 08:01 PM

I ended up with a mag dropper, mag releases on every round fired. Doesn't make a difference if there are 7 or 1 in the magazine. Sent her back to S&W to get it worked out.

Serial number DXV9XXX

R32500HP · August 13th, 2012, 08:48 AM

I have a Shield 9mm DXMxxxx without any problems. It may be a Shield 40 issue.

Bill340 · August 13th, 2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vindic8

I ended up with a mag dropper, mag releases on every round fired. Doesn't make a difference if there are 7 or 1 in the magazine. Sent her back to S&W to get it worked out.

Serial number DXV9XXX

Welcome to the club, your definitely not alone

Bill340 · August 13th, 2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R32500HP

I have a Shield 9mm DXMxxxx without any problems. It may be a Shield 40 issue.

I have yet to see anyone with the issue with the 9mm, it seems to be a .40 issue exclusively

Fabius · August 16th, 2012, 03:33 PM

Shipped my gun back to S&W on July 23 for repair. Received it back yesterday. The note with it said that they replaced the mags. I inspected the new mags and it appears that they used a punch to push out the top of the mag catch slot on the right side to give more engagement with the mag catch.

I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but the engagement of the mag catch when the mag is inserted is more positive sounding now and I have to push the mag release slightly further to release the mag. Mag still drops free when released.

I'll post a report after I get a chance to shoot with the new mags.

executioner · August 16th, 2012, 04:02 PM

Post a pic of the new mag

Vindic8 · August 16th, 2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabius

Shipped my gun back to S&W on July 23 for repair. Received it back yesterday. The note with it said that they replaced the mags. I inspected the new mags and it appears that they used a punch to push out the top of the mag catch slot on the right side to give more engagement with the mag catch.

I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but the engagement of the mag catch when the mag is inserted is more positive sounding now and I have to push the mag release slightly further to release the mag. Mag still drops free when released.

I'll post a report after I get a chance to shoot with the new mags.

Interesting, when I sent the Shield in for the same issue the guy told me sending the mags was optional.

Bill340 · August 17th, 2012, 12:42 PM

Got my shield .40 (mag dropper) back from S&W wednesday, and today took it out and put 100 rounds through it, without any issue, perhaps it is fixed.
According to the note left in the box, they repaired the magazine catch and replaced the 2 magazines. It was only 100 rounds, but, it looks like they solved the problem

konertjm · August 17th, 2012, 01:27 PM

Replaced the magazines huh! It has sounded more like a mag problem than a catch problem for a while.
I have a Shield .40 that has never dropped a mag. However. when I insert the 6 rnd, it is very loose, but does not drop.
When I insert the 7 rnd, it is as tight as a drum.

So if it is the Mags, did they have a bad run?
If it is the mag latch/design problem, why isn't it more common?

Fabius · August 18th, 2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by executioner

Post a pic of the new mag

First time I've tried this.

Old mag that came with gun.

New mag received from S&W:

konertjm · August 18th, 2012, 05:35 AM

So, it appears that they increased the contact surface between the mag release and the mag.

Does that mean there is a problem with the mag design? Or with the mag release?

So Fabius, if you buy a new mag, will you have the same problems unless you make the same modification to the mag?

Fabius · August 18th, 2012, 07:17 AM

The modification that they made is consistent with my impressions of the cause of the mag drop problem in the .40. Insufficient engagement of the mag catch in the mag catch slot of the magazine. The extra recoil of the .40 causes the frame to flex enough that the mag catch moves laterally, slips out of the mag slot and drops the mag.

The modification to the mag creates more engagement of the mag catch in the mag slot, hopefully keeping engagement when the frame flexes during recoil.

The solution would seem to be to increase the size of the mag catch, decrease the ID of the mag well or increase the OD of the mag. The "bump" that they punched into the mag slot effectively increases the OD of the mag and is the quickest, cheapest solution.

Long way to answer your question. I think that unless they change the OD of the new mags, there is a risk of mag drop. I don't know if S&w has changed the specs of new mags. All I know is that my new mags were visibly modified. I'll find out when I shoot them if the modification works. In the meantime i wouldn't spend money on new mags until S&W has engineered and deployed a permanent fix.

Fabius · August 18th, 2012, 02:26 PM

Went to the range and put 120 rounds through the gun using the "new" mags from S&W. Both were flawless. The "punch and hammer" fix seems to work.

Happy camper now. Love the gun. Nice trigger, recoil very manageable for .40 cal in such a small package and shoots to POA. Fits in my the front pocket of my jeans with a pocket holster.

executioner · August 18th, 2012, 03:31 PM

So Bill340 do the new mags that S&W sent you look like the new one Fabius has? Can you see any visible difference in the mag catch?

Soldiernurse · August 19th, 2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabius

Went to the range and put 120 rounds through the gun using the "new" mags from S&W. Both were flawless. The "punch and hammer" fix seems to work.

Happy camper now. Love the gun. Nice trigger, recoil very manageable for .40 cal in such a small package and shoots to POA. Fits in my the front pocket of my jeans with a pocket holster.

Call me a rock but I'm not understanding the "punch & hammer" mag modification. I've been to the firing range only once w/my Shield .40 & it did have the [drop mag] malfxn, moreso w/extended mag but still happened w/flush mag.

Please explain the mag fix (pics of mag difference don't really help me).

TIA!

Fabius · August 19th, 2012, 07:29 PM

Look at the rectangular slot in each mag (center of each photo). In the top picture, the top lip of that slot is flat. In the bottom picture it bulges out slightly.

The rectangular slot is the slot that the magazine catch in the gun slides into when the mag is inserted into the gun. It holds the mag in place and is the only thing holding the mag in the gun. When you depress the mag release button, it pushes the mag catch out of that slot and releases the mag.

S&W pushed out the top lip of the slot in the mag in the bottom picture. That creates more engagement with the mag catch, making it harder for the mag catch to slip out and release the mag. Speculation is that they inserted a center punch and tapped it with a hammer to push the lip out. The punch could be inserted through an identical slot on the opposite side of the magazine, positioned against the inside of the lip and tapped with a hammer to push the lip out.

Soldiernurse · August 20th, 2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabius

Look at the rectangular slot in each mag (center of each photo). In the top picture, the top lip of that slot is flat. In the bottom picture it bulges out slightly.

The rectangular slot is the slot that the magazine catch in the gun slides into when the mag is inserted into the gun. It holds the mag in place and is the only thing holding the mag in the gun. When you depress the mag release button, it pushes the mag catch out of that slot and releases the mag.

S&W pushed out the top lip of the slot in the mag in the bottom picture. That creates more engagement with the mag catch, making it harder for the mag catch to slip out and release the mag. Speculation is that they inserted a center punch and tapped it with a hammer to push the lip out. The punch could be inserted through an identical slot on the opposite side of the magazine, positioned against the inside of the lip and tapped with a hammer to push the lip out.

Went back looked at the pics & now can see the slight protruding bulge. I'd think possibly the newest mags will look different than the original production?

Windviking · August 21st, 2012, 04:17 PM

New Member here!
Sent my .40 shield back as both mags were dropping. Bad. Got it back. Said replaced mag and release. Noticed the "bump" on the mag where the catch engages. Shot 100 rounds through with no problems. Kind of a boring story looking at it now.

What bothers me is how this problem started in July based on what I have read. Shield .40's made earlier seem to have not had this issue. Do they have "bumps" on the mag on earlier serial number shield .40's? Why did they not have this problem. Is the "fix" they made for us (later shield owners) a patch? What happens if I buy additional mags? Will I have the same issue because they did not fix the root cause of the problem by just punching a "bump" on my mag? OK I am new and probably not making a good first impression and sounding like some parinoid B****er, but honestly, I don't like this...............

luke2-2008 · August 21st, 2012, 05:27 PM

The extra mag availability for the shield has been minimal at best. They have been hard to find. That Bering said I'm sure they are making all the new mags with said "bumps". And if you happend to get one without they would switch it out for you.

August 5th, 2012, 10:04 AM	#41
bearman Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: pa. Posts: 20	what change did they make on the other m&p`s to fix it? better material, part design? Last edited by bearman; August 5th, 2012 at 10:09 AM.

August 13th, 2012, 08:48 AM	#43
R32500HP Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 13	I have a Shield 9mm DXMxxxx without any problems. It may be a Shield 40 issue. Last edited by R32500HP; August 13th, 2012 at 10:06 AM.

August 19th, 2012, 07:29 PM	#57
Fabius Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 69	Look at the rectangular slot in each mag (center of each photo). In the top picture, the top lip of that slot is flat. In the bottom picture it bulges out slightly. The rectangular slot is the slot that the magazine catch in the gun slides into when the mag is inserted into the gun. It holds the mag in place and is the only thing holding the mag in the gun. When you depress the mag release button, it pushes the mag catch out of that slot and releases the mag. S&W pushed out the top lip of the slot in the mag in the bottom picture. That creates more engagement with the mag catch, making it harder for the mag catch to slip out and release the mag. Speculation is that they inserted a center punch and tapped it with a hammer to push the lip out. The punch could be inserted through an identical slot on the opposite side of the magazine, positioned against the inside of the lip and tapped with a hammer to push the lip out. Last edited by Fabius; August 19th, 2012 at 07:32 PM.

August 21st, 2012, 04:17 PM	#59
Windviking Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5	New Member here! Sent my .40 shield back as both mags were dropping. Bad. Got it back. Said replaced mag and release. Noticed the "bump" on the mag where the catch engages. Shot 100 rounds through with no problems. Kind of a boring story looking at it now. What bothers me is how this problem started in July based on what I have read. Shield .40's made earlier seem to have not had this issue. Do they have "bumps" on the mag on earlier serial number shield .40's? Why did they not have this problem. Is the "fix" they made for us (later shield owners) a patch? What happens if I buy additional mags? Will I have the same issue because they did not fix the root cause of the problem by just punching a "bump" on my mag? OK I am new and probably not making a good first impression and sounding like some parinoid B***er, but honestly, I don't like this............... Last edited by Windviking; August 21st, 2012 at 04:55 PM.*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Magazine dropping out

bump sticks

can't load a fully loaded magazine into m&p shield

is the drop problem fixed with the m&p 40 shield

m&p 40 dropping mag

m&p 40c magazine drops out

m&p magazine falling out

m@p 40 magazine

magazine dropping out of m&p 9c

s&w m&p 40 magazine drop fix

s&w shield 40 magazines for sale

smith and wesson m&p 40 shield magazine loading

smith wesson shield 40 magazine issue

August 12th, 2012, 08:01 PM	#42
Vindic8 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northwest Posts: 47	I ended up with a mag dropper, mag releases on every round fired. Doesn't make a difference if there are 7 or 1 in the magazine. Sent her back to S&W to get it worked out. Serial number DXV9XXX

August 16th, 2012, 03:33 PM	#46
Fabius Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 69	Shipped my gun back to S&W on July 23 for repair. Received it back yesterday. The note with it said that they replaced the mags. I inspected the new mags and it appears that they used a punch to push out the top of the mag catch slot on the right side to give more engagement with the mag catch. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but the engagement of the mag catch when the mag is inserted is more positive sounding now and I have to push the mag release slightly further to release the mag. Mag still drops free when released. I'll post a report after I get a chance to shoot with the new mags.

August 16th, 2012, 04:02 PM	#47
executioner Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 36	Post a pic of the new mag

August 17th, 2012, 12:42 PM	#49
Bill340 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pa Posts: 16	Got my shield .40 (mag dropper) back from S&W wednesday, and today took it out and put 100 rounds through it, without any issue, perhaps it is fixed. According to the note left in the box, they repaired the magazine catch and replaced the 2 magazines. It was only 100 rounds, but, it looks like they solved the problem

August 17th, 2012, 01:27 PM	#50
konertjm Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: St. Louis MO. Posts: 80	Replaced the magazines huh! It has sounded more like a mag problem than a catch problem for a while. I have a Shield .40 that has never dropped a mag. However. when I insert the 6 rnd, it is very loose, but does not drop. When I insert the 7 rnd, it is as tight as a drum. So if it is the Mags, did they have a bad run? If it is the mag latch/design problem, why isn't it more common?

August 18th, 2012, 05:35 AM	#52
konertjm Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: St. Louis MO. Posts: 80	So, it appears that they increased the contact surface between the mag release and the mag. Does that mean there is a problem with the mag design? Or with the mag release? So Fabius, if you buy a new mag, will you have the same problems unless you make the same modification to the mag?

August 18th, 2012, 07:17 AM	#53
Fabius Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 69	The modification that they made is consistent with my impressions of the cause of the mag drop problem in the .40. Insufficient engagement of the mag catch in the mag catch slot of the magazine. The extra recoil of the .40 causes the frame to flex enough that the mag catch moves laterally, slips out of the mag slot and drops the mag. The modification to the mag creates more engagement of the mag catch in the mag slot, hopefully keeping engagement when the frame flexes during recoil. The solution would seem to be to increase the size of the mag catch, decrease the ID of the mag well or increase the OD of the mag. The "bump" that they punched into the mag slot effectively increases the OD of the mag and is the quickest, cheapest solution. Long way to answer your question. I think that unless they change the OD of the new mags, there is a risk of mag drop. I don't know if S&w has changed the specs of new mags. All I know is that my new mags were visibly modified. I'll find out when I shoot them if the modification works. In the meantime i wouldn't spend money on new mags until S&W has engineered and deployed a permanent fix.

August 18th, 2012, 02:26 PM	#54
Fabius Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 69	Went to the range and put 120 rounds through the gun using the "new" mags from S&W. Both were flawless. The "punch and hammer" fix seems to work. Happy camper now. Love the gun. Nice trigger, recoil very manageable for .40 cal in such a small package and shoots to POA. Fits in my the front pocket of my jeans with a pocket holster.

August 18th, 2012, 03:31 PM	#55
executioner Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 36	So Bill340 do the new mags that S&W sent you look like the new one Fabius has? Can you see any visible difference in the mag catch?

August 21st, 2012, 05:27 PM	#60
luke2-2008 Site Staff Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somerset, Ky Posts: 2,605	The extra mag availability for the shield has been minimal at best. They have been hard to find. That Bering said I'm sure they are making all the new mags with said "bumps". And if you happend to get one without they would switch it out for you.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mags dropping out of my M&P .40	CJD	MP Pistol Tech Help	1	April 13th, 2009 06:07 PM
M&P 40 dropping mag	jon_7687	MP Pistol Tech Help	11	March 8th, 2009 10:56 AM
Mag Dropping 40c	Sigman	MP Compact Pistols	9	June 15th, 2007 08:59 PM
Mag realease not dropping the mag??? HELP	rtashiro	MP Pistol Tech Help	2	February 2nd, 2007 12:30 PM