S&W has issued a safety recall notice for some S&W M&P Shield EZ pistol models in both 9mm and .380 calibers. The affected models were manufactured between March 1st, 2020 and October 31st, 2020.
These identified models may have an issue with the hammer where fails to fully engage the sear, which could result in multiple discharges without depressing the trigger. This issue may occur in models with or without the optional safety, and even when the safety is engaged.
S&W has identified the discharges occurring in two potential scenarios:
- With a loaded magazine in the firearm and the grip safety depressed, releasing the slide (by pulling it back, or releasing the slide stop), may ignite the round as the slide closes, without engaging the trigger. The condition may occur, regardless of the manual thumb safety position if equipped. This may also result in multiple discharges.
- With a loaded magazine in the firearm, the grip safety depressed, manual safety in the fire position, slide closed, and a round in the chamber, pulling the trigger will cause the round to fire normally, however as the slide cycles, the next round may be ignited as it is chambered by the hammer failing to fully engage the sear, causing multiple discharges.
This issue potentially impacts any S&W M&P Shield EZ model, including the Performance Center models, manufactured between March 1, 2020 and October 31st, 2020.
S&W has set up a secondary website at MPShieldEZrecall.com that has more information and includes a serial number lookup check to see if a particular Shield EZ model is impacted by the recall.
For more information: https://www.smith-wesson.com/recall-notice-pistols