Add me to the list of Shield 40 owners. Went to a LGS today to get some powder and small pistol primers (yes they had both) saw a shield 40 calling my name and could not turn it down. Looking forward to putting some of my Nosler 135 gr JHP backed up by Longshot Reloads through it tomorrow.
That said , my question, the slide release is very stiff to release, even after cleaning and oiling the gun, does the slide release loosen up over time?
Technically it's not a slide release but rather a slide lock. If it's too stiff to release your slide just grab your slide & pull it back a little & unless you're actually chambering a round guide it forward with your hand. If you're chambering a round then take your hand off of it & let it snap back. The little lever should go back by itself. When your slide is locked back there's lots of pressure on the lever. If it starts going easier that means you've worn some metal off of it. S&W claims that you can use the lever to return your slide but then again some have called them about that & they said not to. Depends on who you talk to I guess.
Thanks for the info. The slide lock is just much stiffer the I ever remember my 59 or 669 being (total different guns I know). It will probably loosen up with use.
Archg8r
They do loosen up with use (or judicious use of a stone). Regardless of what is said, I still use it as a slide release. My 9c was a two finger affair until I touched it up, My FS and my CORE were smooth right out of the box. Still a mystery to me that S&W says it's not a slide release but they put the button on both sides.
I received a Shield .40 as a Father's Day gift (thank you again, Honey) and am experiencing the same issue. At first it was so stiff I was unable to move the slide back far enough to engage the lock. I almost contacted S&W to demand a replacement, but finally got it after a few trips to the gym. I have taken it to the range twice so far and it seems to be a little better already. Before I got the new one, I checked out a rental Shield .40 at the range and it was fine so I am confident it will improve over time.
I have the same issue with my shield 9mm. The first few weeks I had it, I had a hard time even doing the power stroke/sling shot method to bring the slide forward. I had to pull the slide back with my weak hand and pull the slide stop lever down with my strong hand thumb. Needless to say it was impossible to release the slide by just pulling the slide stop lever down with a thumb. I applied a generous amount of slide glide and put about 350 or so rounds through it and was able to release the slide using the power stroke method. I can also pull the slide stop lever down but with a lot of effort to release the slide. I assume eventually it will be a lot easier as I put more rounds thru the gun.
Shield 40 slide release
). Regardless of what is said, I still use it as a slide release. My 9c was a two finger affair until I touched it up, My FS and my CORE were smooth right out of the box. Still a mystery to me that S&W says it's not a slide release but they put the button on both sides. 
Linear Mode
