S&W Shield: Help needed: Range report added

[critter]

I took delivery of my S&W Shield yesterday. Have not shot it yet, but like it's feel and features so far. EXCEPT ONE. The magazines are just barely short of impossible to load! The springs in them could double for overload springs on my GMC pickup!

Any advise other than leaving them loaded in hopes of them easing up in time and/or using some sort of magazine loader?

 

[drband]

You've listed the solutions.
An uplula mag loader will let you load to full capacity. Loading it up and leaving it full for a few days will help the springs take a set.

Other than those points, take it out and shoot it!

 

[Havok7416]

I would highly recommend a mag loader, specifically the Uplula mentioned by drband. The way you posted (admittedly without verbal context) almost makes it seem like a mag loader is a last resort. I don't know where I'd be without my mag loader. It certainly helps load any of my mags with minimal effort.

http://www.maglula.com/product/uplula-9mm-to-45acp/

 

[jdc1244]

I didn’t notice a similar issue with my Shield.

And after you confirm its reliability and become familiar with the platform, you won’t be loading it much anyway.

 

[MRH]

Yep. Had the same problem. Very tough springs. As noted above, I got an Uplula and that solved the problem (I also use it on most of my other magazines)

 

[bobinoregon]

A friend and I have .45 Shields and they both had really hard to load magazines. They have gotten better over time but still take a serious effort to load them. Great gun but really tough springs in mags.

 

[Devonai]

I recently picked up a used/excellent Shield in .40 S&W. The mags that came with it were stiff, but I could load them. The spare mag I bought new at the same time was much more difficult. As others have mentioned, leaving them loaded for awhile will help. I'd say it took about three weeks for the new mag to get to the point where it wasn't a Herculean effort to load.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Uplula is your friend.

 

[critter]

Took it to the range. After some shooting, the mags eased up A BIT. Gun is completely reliable, quite accurate and shoots ALMOST exactly to POA. Recoil of the .45 is certainly pronounced but not obnoxious and is control-able. I like the grip texture-keeps it firmly in your hand without ripping up your skin. To me, ergonomics are quite good. Mine is the thumb safety model which I liked as an option. Three dot sights are quite visible. Likely NOT a pocket rocket but in a belt holster, hardly noticable. If you are in a bind and do your job, the Shield will do what is needed to extricate you from your difficulties!

 

[TimboKhan]

Uplula is one of the better accessories available. My shield is a little tough, but I always assume that aids in reliable feeding, so I don't complain to much about it.

 

[Ibmikey]

I have not fired a .45 but my 9mm is one smooth shooting pistol, it is slim and disappears under clothing. My 9 mm mags were difficult at first but like others have found they ease upl quickly. The Shield is a real keeper.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Ditto, get the uplula. It makes loading mags extremely easy.

 

[jradisch]

Uplula worked for me too. Now, after a few years with the Shield, I don't even have to use the Uplula but still do. I use it for my full size M&P 9 as well as my .45 1911.

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

I love my Shield, has become my constant companion 95% of the time. But the you are correct OP, the magazines are a pain to load. But, they seem to have eased a little after keeping them loaded constantly and shooting it often. But then again, I may be acquiring some Popeye thumbs from the exercise.

 

[JO JO]

Uplula is your friend.

use mine every range trip

 

[gunnerh]

I love my .45 Shield but my 70 year old hands made the uplula a must.