Picked up my new shield 9mm yesterday for $361 otd

My question is, why can I not engage the slide release with a single hand? It's really stiff and requires me to pull the slide back a little before I can release the slide.



"Sent Via Time Traveling Blue Police Box"

Technically it is a slide stop lever, not a slide release. Slide release is performed as you are doing it, by pulling slide back then releasing slide, without the need to touch the slide stop lever.

The slide stop does loosen up after a while, requiring much less effort if you do wish to occasionally use that to release slide.

Refer to the answer I posted on GT. it's a slide lock, not a slide release.

BTW you got a great price on your Shield, Congrats on that!

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

As said earlier, the slide release (or whatever you want to call it) will loosen up. On my Kahr PM9, Kahr recommends AGAINST pulling the slide back to release it, and recommend ONLY pulling down on the slide release. And surprisingly (to me), they're right, at least with the PM9. Pulling back and releasing the slide will oftentimes not chamber correctly, while pulling down on the release will always chamber correctly. In the PM9, at least.

Which is opposite of S&W's directions in their manual to rack the slide and not use the slide lock. Wander if either company has any technical reasons for their methods.

Well, Kahr certainly does, as feeding is not reliable when racking the slide rather than using the slide lock. Doesn't make sense to me, but there it is.

From the Kahr PM9 manual:

[If the slide is not back] "Pull the slide fully to the rear and lock it back using the Slide Stop. Next push down on the Slide Stop to chamber the next round into the barrel. Do not chamber a round by pulling back on the slide and letting go of the slide. This may cause the slide to not go fully into battery."

I figure that when you pull back on the slide, and let go, you aren't letting /completely/ and /instantly/ letting go. The friction of your fingers while letting go slows the slide and causes the problem. I can only say that that is what happens: pulling back the slide and releasing causes mis-feeds, while using the Slide Stop never does. Of course, this only applies to the Kahr. Interestingly, Kahr makes pushing the Slide Stop down very hard when the magazine is empty, but easier when it is.

Well, I definitely won't consider a Kahr for my collection if it's that unreliable .

Really, any semi-auto can have a problem if you don't rack with enough force. I think their instructions are for the inexperienced shooter and to reduce complaints by presenting a full proof chambering method.

I would agree with that, but not that the Kahr is unreliable. Despite its small barrel, I shoot it more accurately than my M&P9C, and it has NEVER had a hiccup of any kind (except, as noted, if I pull back on the slide to release it instead of using the slide stop). I LOVE the little gun, smaller than a Shield, surprisingly easy to shoot and conceal, absolutely my daily carry gun. And it's easier to release the slide with my thumb than use my other hand anyhow.

Put the first 100 rounds through my shield yesterday, Federal FMJ, and I had two stovepipes which concerned me a bit (never had that issue with my XD9). Other than that mine works wonderfully.

I've never read about any stovepipe complaints from a shield. Are you supporting your wrists properly?

Did you clean and lube your new pistola before your first range trip?

Cleaned it, and by "cleaned it" I mean I wiped up most of the oil that was soaking the slide.

Don't think I had wrist issues. Never had a problem on any other pistol I've shot.

Just picked my Shield 9mm up two weeks ago and had the same issue. However after putting 200 rounds through the gun the slide lock is now loose enough to work with one hand. Don't know about you but I am loving the gun. Have had one FTE occur when I let someone else shoot the gun (pretty sure she was limp wristing it) other than that no other issues so far. Taking my CC class this weekend and looking forward to putting another 50 rounds down range.

Fantastic price!! Do they have any more?

He correct about what the manual says, however after about 300 rounds you can rack the gun like any others. I am left handed so racking the slide is a must. If you do not rack it firmly and quickly it will not chamber the round correctly. That being said that is true with Glocks, the Shield and all other semi-autos. I love my Kahr it is small but extremely accurate for its size. It is another must have.