I just bought my M&P 9mm last weekend and so far, I love it. Today I broke it down so I could clean it and I have a question. I followed the instructions in the manual but couldn't get the slide to come off until I pulled the trigger. The instructions say that the slide will pull straight off after you let the slide go forward but mine stopped in the usual position until I pulled the trigger. After that, it slid right off. Is this just something the instructions neglected to mention? This is the 9mm that comes in the range kit and, according to the enclosed test round, was just manufactured in March 2012.

Although it is possible to use the trigger to get the slide off it is actually I think on page 21 (see figure 18a and 18b) to lower the sear deactivation lever.

I don't bother with the little tool an ink pin or toothpick even a paper clip will do the job!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

yeah, use the sear disconnect. It's kinda hard to see, but it's right under the ejector.

mmmm...I put the sear disconnect down. Maybe it wasn't all the way down? Is there a click or something to let you know its down all the way?

No, no click. In my older, full size model, the lever is kind of floppy though, so I see how it could return after being pushed down.

Sear disconnect lever is usually at 45 degree angle, for slide to come off. Also make sure your take down lever is staying down. If not, there is another thread here for this minor issue.

Or you could just keep doing it that way that you did.

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NRA Certified Instructor

i have issues with my 40c . i lower the disconnect and sometimes, not all the time it wont disconnect haha so i try pulling the trigger, and it still wont come apart. so i just start at square one and repeat untill she breaks down. does it bother me? nope . i usually spend an hour cleaning it anyway, whats another 2 minutes haha

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6906,6904,g23,g21,RIA1911,40c

The main reason that Smith & Wesson has the sear disconnect lever in the weapon of all M&P's is to keep from getting sued by a court somewhere when they give an illustrated manual showing how to field strip your weapon.

On page 21 they show the sear deactivation lever and give two illustrations 18a and 18b of this lever even though if your eyesight for reading is poor it is difficult to see the actual lever in the magazine well or grip. Smith & Wesson also provides the little tool included in the grip which really helps to hold the back strap in place to move the sear deactivation lever down in order to remove the slide.

Then on page 22 they go further in the field strip to show how to properly take the weapon apart by using the take down lever (TDL) and turning it to the down ward position then using the slide stop you hold the slide with one hand while the bottom of the weapon is in the other hand and pushing the slide forward and off the weapon. They go into great detail for a good reason and that is protection against lawsuits.

The current Administration would like nothing better than new gun laws and also fewer gun manufacturers, so Smith & Wesson is taking every precaution to keep from being put out of business by a federal government which is anti gun and I do not think most of us on this forum want that to happen, especially since I can not get a 40 Shield yet...just kidding!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

Google you tube vids on this. Really easy to follow the video when the instructions are confusing.

whats REALLY cool is if your really familiar with glocks :-D you already know how to remove the firing pin :-p same exact method haha

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6906,6904,g23,g21,RIA1911,40c

A little word of caution for the trigger technique: a .40 cal bullet will put a really big hole through your femur and femoral artery (the second largest artery in your body) which is frequently fatal. If you use the trigger method, practice safe firearm handling to avoid this.

And if you are careless and foolish and shoot your own leg off, and live, don't sue anybody please.

Even the trigger-press method is inherently safer than with that Austrian brand of handgun, as with the M&P the slide must be locked to the rear for the takedown lever to be rotated in any instance. Send slide forward, press trigger, open sesame.