I'm needing help with the best way to approach this problem. The gun is currently locked-up with a live 9mm round. It did not go into full battery. Approximately an 1/8" of the barrel extends beyond the front of the slide. I can not get the slide to move. Yes there is a very small amount of movement, but I cannot get it to eject or seat with hand pressure.

I see two options, tap the back of the slide in an attempt to get the round to fully seat or use a wood dowel from the barrel end and attempt to push the round back out. What are the hazards of each? Right off I don't see any from trying to seat the round. If I can I should at least be able to open the slide and then rack it out or do the wood dowel and push out the round. If that doesn't work then option two. Use the wood dowel to push the round back out. Here is my concern, and hoping others know. Even with the mag. removed and tapping the round backwards is there any potential of pushing the round into the firing pin? We all know what happens then. Or is it safe, safe meaning the firing pin is not extended and pushing back would be a combination of just the round pushing up against the slide and unseating the round?

Any thoughts, anyone had this problem and solved it? Safely.

I've had this happen to me as well. A precarious situation at best. Sounds like the bullet has creeped out of the case and engaged the rifling before the action has locked up. I used the edge of the wood shooting bench to clear the round buy placing the top front of the slide at the muzzle against the front edge of the bench (muzzle pointing down range) and using my body weight pushing on the grip frame forward to open the slide. Just be careful.......

also, two hands are stronger than one.

point in safe direction
hook both thumbs around beavertail
wrap both sets of fingers around the top of the slide
squeeze, your hands in an attempt to retract the slide

its worked a couple of times for me but several times needed to go to the wood method.

good luck

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if you're gonna be a bear...

Don't try to push it in further, because you don't know if it is a fat case that is stuck or the bullet is out..

As an SO and instructor, I've had to clear several, and you must keep the muzzle in a safe direction and not fire the pistol.

I have managed to pull the slide back on some, tapped a couple out with a dowel slipped up the barrel and holding the gun while driving the dowel against a wool post.
I have also picked the extractor to remove the barrel.

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Science plus Art

Which ever method you choose, make sure you are wearing safety glasses!!!!

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Curious if you got the round out?

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if you're gonna be a bear...

Ditto. Lets hear the other shoe drop.

The OP edited the post 9/13. It worked, pushing on the muzzle.

Yeah, you have to look at the teeny tiny edit remark below the post. With a magnifying glass.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

That's not a good way to edit. He should have edited by beginning "I solved this and let me thank you for the suggestions. This one worked...."

It's happened to me numerous times with different guns. One way or another, I have always been able to get the slide back and the round removed. It sometimes takes patience.