Light Strike/ Misfire Problem

alistair · September 22, 2017, 08:47 AM

So I have a Light Strike/ Misfire Problem with my M&P Shield what do I do?

The last few times I've taken my Shield to the range I've noticed that there has been quite a few misfires or nonfiring bullets. I thought that it might have been due to a bad lot of primers so I ran a new lot of reloads and went back to the range.
The picture shows two cases from bullets that fired and two bullets that did not fire. The firing pin obviously is hitting the bullets low.
Is this a overall gun problem and it should be sent back to factory, or is it just a firing pin problem and the pin should be replaced?

straightshooterjake · September 22, 2017, 09:17 AM

Those off center firing pin strikes are not likely to be caused by anything that is easily fixable at home. Something is not right about the position of the lock up between the barrel and the slide. Replacing the striker would have no effect on this issue, since the slide and barrel determine where the striker impacts the primer.

Let Smith & Wesson factory service fix this one. They will take good care of you, and it won't cost you anything. Contact them, and they will send you a pre-paid shipping label. I know problems like this are frustrating, but they will get if fixed pretty quickly. Good luck.

lee n. field · September 22, 2017, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alistair

So I have a Light Strike/ Misfire Problem with my M&P Shield what do I do?

The last few times I've taken my Shield to the range I've noticed that there has been quite a few misfires or nonfiring bullets. I thought that it might have been due to a bad lot of primers so I ran a new lot of reloads and went back to the range.
The picture shows two cases from bullets that fired and two bullets that did not fire. The firing pin obviously is hitting the bullets low.
Is this a overall gun problem and it should be sent back to factory, or is it just a firing pin problem and the pin should be replaced?

Off center strikes points to the gun not going into battery fully. Not good. And not a striker problem.

How new is this gun? How many rounds through it to date?

I had this issue with one of my XDS-s. I resolved it through a lot of hand cycling and dry firing, and some careful polishing. You should probably call S&W if cleaning and lubing don't resolve it.

Jim Watson · September 22, 2017, 10:19 AM

Mixed brass, same color primer. Reloads?
If so, shoot some factory loads and look at the indents.

There are a couple of ammo related factors that would be a lot more likely in reloads than factory.

But it is probably the gun, be prepared to return it.

Big Shrek · September 22, 2017, 05:16 PM

it's what Warranty's are for!!

OK, SPECIAL NOTE!!

INCLUDE A NOTE SPECIFYING YOUR PROBLEM WITH YOUR GUN.
Yes, you told it all to the CSM, if you are lucky, they did write
it all down, just as you said, in their repair notes...IF YOU ARE LUCKY.
And if the computer links with the repair guy's, GREAT!
Chances are, the CSM was in India and your repair is being done
in Bolivia...or worse, Newport, NH, because they're all idiots.

So include a TYPED/Wordperfect-printed note, and a couple casings.
This shows the REPAIR GUY Exactly what the issues are.
This will also get your gun worked on Faster, instead of being
put aside because he has no frakkin clue what the CSM wrote

Can you tell I worked in Repair?? I knew you could

9miller · September 22, 2017, 05:28 PM

Couple things come to my mind in your case.

I agree with the poster above you should try some factory ammo to see if it recreates your problem or not.

If your sizing die is not set up correctly, you may not be sizing the case down enough which may cause an issue with lockup of the pistol. With the brass being sized in the die, there should be contact between the shell holder and FL size die, I'd check that first. I had mine set for a few years in a turret only to find out it was not making contact anymore for some reason unknown. I discovered so when I had a fail to go to battery at the range. Stuff happens.

**JohnKSa** · September 22, 2017, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Off center strikes points to the gun not going into battery fully. Not good.

Correct.

It's not a problem with the firing mechanism, something is preventing the slide from closing fully.

Another vote for doing some testing with factory ammo. If that fixes the problem, then your reloads are out of spec and are preventing the gun from going all the way into battery.

DaleA · September 23, 2017, 12:47 AM

If you do have to send it in I think Big Shrek provided some good advice in post #5. I'm making a note of it myself just in case I need to send something in.

September 22, 2017, 09:17 AM	#2
straightshooterjake Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2016 Posts: 122	Those off center firing pin strikes are not likely to be caused by anything that is easily fixable at home. Something is not right about the position of the lock up between the barrel and the slide. Replacing the striker would have no effect on this issue, since the slide and barrel determine where the striker impacts the primer. Let Smith & Wesson factory service fix this one. They will take good care of you, and it won't cost you anything. Contact them, and they will send you a pre-paid shipping label. I know problems like this are frustrating, but they will get if fixed pretty quickly. Good luck. __________________ My blog: http://straightshooterjake.blogspot.com/

September 22, 2017, 10:19 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	Mixed brass, same color primer. Reloads? If so, shoot some factory loads and look at the indents. There are a couple of ammo related factors that would be a lot more likely in reloads than factory. But it is probably the gun, be prepared to return it.

September 22, 2017, 05:16 PM	#5
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	it's what Warranty's are for!! OK, SPECIAL NOTE!! INCLUDE A NOTE SPECIFYING YOUR PROBLEM WITH YOUR GUN. Yes, you told it all to the CSM, if you are lucky, they did write it all down, just as you said, in their repair notes...IF YOU ARE LUCKY. And if the computer links with the repair guy's, GREAT! Chances are, the CSM was in India and your repair is being done in Bolivia...or worse, Newport, NH, because they're all idiots. So include a TYPED/Wordperfect-printed note, and a couple casings. This shows the REPAIR GUY Exactly what the issues are. This will also get your gun worked on Faster, instead of being put aside because he has no frakkin clue what the CSM wrote Can you tell I worked in Repair?? I knew you could __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

September 22, 2017, 05:28 PM	#6
9miller Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 169	Couple things come to my mind in your case. I agree with the poster above you should try some factory ammo to see if it recreates your problem or not. If your sizing die is not set up correctly, you may not be sizing the case down enough which may cause an issue with lockup of the pistol. With the brass being sized in the die, there should be contact between the shell holder and FL size die, I'd check that first. I had mine set for a few years in a turret only to find out it was not making contact anymore for some reason unknown. I discovered so when I had a fail to go to battery at the range. Stuff happens.

September 23, 2017, 12:47 AM	#8
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	If you do have to send it in I think Big Shrek provided some good advice in post #5. I'm making a note of it myself just in case I need to send something in.