Smith is calling it a “safety alert and inspection procedure,” but if your gun fails the inspection you’re supposed to send it in for repair at Smith’s expense. So… recall.
The recall applies to all Shields manufactured before Monday of this week, so… yours. Although Smith believes the problem is limited to a very short production period, the inspection is relatively easy and they’ve rightly decided to ask all Shield owners to check their guns rather than risk a problem falling through the cracks.
On some Shields, the trigger bar pin can damage the gun in such a way as to compromise the drop safety of the gun. Smith has done a great job by putting together a video for anyone who may be affected:
Recalls are often cause for scorn and derision in our industry but having been involved in a major recall during my Beretta days I can tell you this is a big deal and a big expense for Smith & Wesson. That they’ve gone from identifying the problem to setting up a solution and providing detailed information to the public in such a short time is something to be applauded. The inspection procedure will take Shield owners less than 60 seconds. But if yours is affected by the problem, you’re far better off sending the gun to Smith for free repair than having it discharge if it’s accidentally dropped.
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
(H/T to butler coach on pistol-forum.com for breaking the news)
Generally if there’s an identified issue like this the faulty part is replaced for everyone, regardless of whether there is trouble yet or not. Am I supposed to run this check every morning now? I’d like some more explanation as to why I should be confident going forward if my gun passes the test. They seem to be implying that if there is going to be an issue it will be evident from day 1, which to me means it’s a manufacturing issue and not a parts issue? And if that isn’t the case and it’s a parts issue, they seem to be taking a risk by implying that if you’re good today the part will be good tomorrow?
I also don’t get how the split trigger relates to the drop safety to begin with?
I haven’t watched the video yet but checked mine last night and it seems fine.
However, here’s my question for anyone that might know. My gun has been modified in the following manner; Apex parts swap, frame stippled, Night Sight installation. Will the Apex parts swap and the frame stippling cause S&W to balk at inspecting & repairing my gun if a problem develops?
warranty terms are vague… were your mods “authorized” and performed by whatever they consider to be a “qualified gunsmith?”
Smith & Wesson will not be responsible for:
• Defects or malfunctions resulting from careless handling, unauthorized adjustments or modifications made or attempted by anyone other than a qualified gunsmith following Smith & Wesson authorized procedures, or failure to follow the disassembly instructions in the Smith & Wesson manual.
“Recalls are often cause for scorn and derision in our industry”
That’s sadly true of most industries. Truth is, people make mistakes whether it’s guns, cars, bridges, or space shuttles. Better that a company is willing to come clean about issues and work towards fixing them instead of covering them up. Tepco and Fukushima, anyone?
I’d encourage owners to take this seriously. I’m not familiar with the way the shield’s drop safety works, but a broken DS on a P7 caused an AD when I dropped the slide to load the gun. Fortunately I was at a shooting range, but it’s an operation I perform several times a week.
The more I think about this, the less I think the hinged trigger has anything to do with the operation of the actual drop safety. I suspect this issue has zero impact on the actual overall safety of the pistol. If this issue did somehow make the thing less safe, I don’t think S&W would have ever just issued a warning. A true safety issue without a strong recall and solution would open them up to more liability than just keeping quiet would have. Similar to posting a beware of dog sign.
I would have to pro-offer a slow clap for S&W. They’re facing the potential problem and are taking steps to ensure its corrected to the best of their abilities.
It is notably different then Glock’s response to problems “back in the day”-which was to swap the broken guns on an individual basis , pay off lawsuits when needed, and hope no one investigated things.Based on Paul Barret’s research for the book “Glock”, its clear the Gen 4 guns aren’t the first Glocks to have initial problems. It just so happens in the internet age ol’ Gaston can’t bury the truth like in the 90s.
Nathan, the purpose of the drop safety is to prevent the rearward travel of the trigger if it is dropped muzzle up. The firing pin block safety works the opposite way and prevents the inertial movement of the firing pin if dropped muzzle down. The FPBS is disengaged by the rearward movement of the trigger. The drop safety (part in red circle) prevents the inertial movement caused when dropped. In other words, the falling mass of the trigger alone has enough strength to over come the FPBS and discharge.
I got bored earlier and started doing some math on this, polished off those college physics skills…. I understand that in theory this is possible, but it’s not plausible that this could happen given the actual potential circumstances. The mass of the trigger assembly is just too small. It would take a force far greater than actually experienced in life to overcome the trigger pull weight with an object of such small mass. Kahr (and others) must have figured this out instead of just following conventional wisdom. their aluminum triggers are likely heavier than the plastic M&P triggers and they seem content building a gun without a funky trigger. I suspect some manufacturers still include them because of the prevailing conventional wisdom and the desire to cut down on perceived liability, not because engineering requires it.
Would still love to hear some more explanation from S&W about how the problem came to their attention, what’s causing it, how many times they’ve actually seen it, etc.
Fight Club Sound Clip – New Car Recall
Jon D,
“I’d encourage owners to take this seriously. I’m not familiar with the way the shield’s drop safety works, but a broken DS on a P7 caused an AD when I dropped the slide to load the gun.”
Seen that happen with a P7, too (and to somebody named John, to boot! What are the odds?) but that’s a firing pin safety; a completely different part.
If anyone wants to see the purpose of the two-piece trigger, it’s best demonstrated by trying to dry-fire the gun using a pencil…
I commend S&W for this recall, especially considering how popular the Shield has become. That is going to be an undertaking and may leave some folks unhappy about their otherwise outstanding customer service and warranty repair. I had to send my M&P 45 in a couple of times and they always had it back to me in a week. Today, there just isn’t any one perfect pistol on the market, if there ever really was one to begin with.
Checked mine a few days ago, no issues at all….keeping it till the lands and grooves are worn smooth!
Great Weapon!
just checked mind – no problem, but will continue to check it when inspecting or cleaning – love this little pistol and commend S & W for their honesty in getting the problem solved!!