Brand new never been fired. Slide lock will not budge. I have to use an empty mag to lock the slide back. Ideas?

It only locks when the slide is in full open position.

Do you have it fully opened in the locked position? If so you need to slide it back a little to disengage.

Since you are not replying........ Good Luck!

The return spring assembly (RSA) in the Shield is pretty stiff making the slide hard to lock back. If you are trying to lock it back using your thumb to push up on the slide lock button while racking the slide with the opposite hand it can be extremely hard to near impossible to do. In this case using an empty mag is easier. After you've put a couple hundred rounds downrange it should get a lot easier to lock back.

Thhanks for the replys. I did pull the slide all the way back. The lever just will not budge. I haven't taken it down yet either Will try again after initial clean and lube.

I believe the manual writes that you have to let it forward a bit. My 9 Shield was tough to lock back. A little trick is to start pressing the slide lock up as you rack the slide to the rear. Disassembly and relube might help.

If the slide locks with magazine, then it will lock without it... just have to pull the slide hard with one hand while pushing with the other hand on the grip with the thumb to push up on the slide lock.

Trust me. It gets easier with use. I almost return the shield when I could not rack the slide with index/thumb of the left hand.

What you are saying does not make sense.

If an empty mag pushes up on the slide lock and locks the slide back, the slide lock budges--it works as designed.

With the slide closed and no mag in, when you retract the slide all the way to the rear (stopped), then you push the slide lock up manually. If it works with a mag, it will work manually.

Are you thinking the slide lock will automatically move up against its spring pressure (which holds it down) when the slide is retracted, without you pushing it up? The S/L must have that downward spring pressure so it will release (downward) when the locked slide is pulled back.

So, is what we have here a failure to communicate, or am I just making up a different problem than what you are experiencing?

Does the safety being on or off have anything to do with the slide locking back?
I've tried everything to lock it back, mag in, mag out, safety on and off, cocked, uncocked! WTH!
This is about the third time I have shot and cleaned my Shield 40 cal. Got it to lock back before but not now!
I'm not new to M & P's I have four of them. No problems with any of my regular MP's, ever!
I love the Shied but I hate dirty guns!!! If I can't clean it they can have it back!

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Texas CHL Holder

Safety position has no bearing on it. They are just extremely tough when.It's just symptomatic of that particular pistol.It WILL get easier as previously stated.
Rack the slide back as hard as you can while pushing forward on the frame pushing up on the slide lock.Shoot t a LOT.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

As I recall, the Shield safety only blocks the trigger components in the frame. It does not interact with the slide, so I don't think that is your problem.

Is the rear tab of the slide lock lever (SLL) that engages the notch in the slide still there, or did it break off? That's the simple solution. If this is the case, just hold the slide to the rear while someone else rotates the disassembly lever down, then remove the slide as normal. Replace the SLL (under warranty?).

Possibly your ejector that protrudes from the face of the slide to kick the empty shell out is broken, with a piece jamming something (unlikely). Manually retract and hold back the slide and see if the ejector is protruding through the face of the slide.

Or if the SLL tab is there, your slide may not be retracting far enough for the SLL to engage the cutout in the slide.

This might be caused by a broken or improperly installed Recoil Spring Assembly (RSA).

It might also be something to do with the takedown lever (unlikely).

Same procedure to get the slide off and check the parts. If you can't do these operations, a gunsmith can.

If it was working, it will work again when this problem is identified and fixed. Parts break, perhaps more so on a small .40 than other guns.

Thanks guys. I am still recovering from herniated neck surgery from two weeks ago. Still wearing the neck brace. Makes me very irritable!!
Problem solved. I just forcibly jacked the slide back and forth and it caught on its' own. Stiffest gun I have ever owned!
Now my neck is so sore I'll have to finish cleaning it later.

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NRA & TSRA
Texas CHL Holder

I feel your pain, been there. Go take an oxy and lay down. haha.

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Regards from THE Old Fart

Not to worry - it gets easier with use! Initially I had the same issue, but as I used the gun more it loosened up.

Ed

My 40 was very hard to rack at first but now I can do it with the thumb and index finger of my support hand. It all gets better. Take it easy on that neck. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5