My new shield 9 and 40 have impossible to release the slide without hulk strength. Is there a fix?

Do you mean it is difficult to pull the slide back and release it, or do you mean when using the slide stop to release the slide. If the latter, switch to the former. Don't use the slide stop to release the slide, just sling shot it. That's the only fix for it.

I'm assuming you're trying to release the slide on an empty mag? This is very hard to do with new M&P's. The more you shoot the pistol, the easier it will get. With a fully loaded mag, it'll be a little easier, but you really should use the sling shot method to release the slide. It's called a slide stop and not a slide release for a reason.

This has been said in several other threads here (and in the manual that came with the pistols) There is no slide RELEASE on the Shield pistols, it is a SLIDE STOP. The correct way to release the slide is to pull it back and let it slingshot.

While I agree with BigDog48, the manual does state it is a slide stop rather than a slide release both my Shield and 40c function reliably as a slide release providing you don't have an empty mag inserted. Either no mag or a full mag it will function as a slide release. Both of them were hit and miss at first but after a few hundred rounds they loosened up and work perfectly as a release. I can still release it on an empty mag but it normally takes two hands.

My 40c has an added bonus as it will auto forward (chamber a round and slide goes into battery) when a full mag is rapidly inserted with a little force. Some folks don't like this but I find it very helpful when doing a quick mag change.

It is both a slide stop, the internal sear that engages the slide cut, and a slide release, the serrated button on the outside. The button is there for a reason, to release the slide. The only semi-automatic handgun I can think of that has a slide stop with no slide release is a Walther PP/PPK/PPKS. One must pull back the slide to release it. The degree of difficulty to release a slide depends on recoil spring tension, slide stop included angle, and mag spring tension if empty. One could work on those slide stop/release surfaces if you really wanted ease of release, but clumsy alteration might result in too precarious slide hold back or failure to stop the slide. The small control button surfaces on all these small pistols make for stout exertion.

Good post gibson.

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MSP - Retired

It can be used to release the slide but was not designed for that purpose...my opinion based on the user manual and... it likely would have a larger button and be easier to disengage if that was the case. It has the serrated button on the outside to facilitate locking the slide back manually for inspection or field stripping. That is how I view it but admit I use mine at times to release the slide simply because of habit but trying to train with the slingshot method.

just wondering... if or when it fails to auto forward does that throw you off or cause hesitation having to then manually release the slide?

Just wondering... do you experience more failures of the slide to lock open after the last round now that you have put excessive wear on the slide stop by using it as a slide release?

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Life Member B.A.S.S., NAFC

You don't NEED a fix. You NEED to read the directions.

Yes, there is a fix, posted just a few days ago if you can use the "Search" feature. The same question has been asked and answered numerous times in the almost two years I have been on this forum.

Simply adjust the slide lever to release the way you want it.

Shield...Hard to release Slide!! Last post by CB3

The belief that this lever must be hard to operate and is only a stop, no matter what terminology the manual uses, is false. It is both a stop and a release when properly adjusted. It can be adjusted to reliably "auto-release" if desired, with a second or backup release method also trained.

This ain't rocket science folks; it's just adjustable friction. I have set up over a dozen pistols from four different manufacturers to auto-release with no negative consequences, increased wear, or decrease in reliability for loading a round. Activating the lever with a finger still works. Slingshoting still works. There is no downside. It is faster and easier than slingshoting.

Try it. If you don't like it, simply add friction back into the lever/slide interface and you can be back where you started.

I have had no failures to lock back besides the few when my Shield was new and my thumb was hitting the lever.... adjusted my grip and never a problem since. No excessive wear on my slide stop. not sure if you were asking me or Ballistic147.

I've never had it fail during practice drills but I do slap the mag pretty hard. What does throw me off a little is when the mag pinches the palm of my strong hand when I seat the mag. Still working on making the not happen cause it hurts!

Can't tell if your joking here or not, but I hope so. The Shield is close to the 2k round mark and the slide has never failed to lock back. The 40c is at 600 rounds and has never failed to lock the slide back.

You do realize the Melonite coating is typically no more than .00010" thick, right? Any wear at all would be noticeable as you would see bare metal. Neither of mine show any signs of wear at all.