Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-12-2017, 11:07 PM
Survivor87's Avatar
Survivor87 Survivor87 is offline
Member
M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 14
Liked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Question M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action

Just curious, and not that big of a deal, but is there a particular reason that the slide action on the shield 9mm is so tough? It takes some serious effort to pull back and lock the slide open, or check to see if the chamber is empty of any rounds.

On my SD9VE, it's much smoother and not near as stiff as it is in on the shield.

Again, certainly not a deal breaker for me and my new Shield, just wondering.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-13-2017, 01:30 AM
Raisin's Avatar
Raisin Raisin is offline
Member
M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Central Washington state
Posts: 327
Likes: 182
Liked 161 Times in 93 Posts
Default

That is common on the Shield. S&W customer service told me to Lock my slide open when not in use. I did for over a year but it's still very hard to lock open. I put rubber grip tape on both sides of the slide and that makes it much easier to lock open. Such a short slide and light weight gun needs a stiff spring.

Last edited by Raisin; 03-20-2017 at 04:00 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-13-2017, 09:02 AM
Valistar's Avatar
Valistar Valistar is offline
US Veteran
M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 51
Likes: 19
Liked 71 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Go shoot it....a lot! It'll loosen up after a few 100 rounds.

Valistar
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-13-2017, 09:05 AM
Survivor87's Avatar
Survivor87 Survivor87 is offline
Member
M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 14
Liked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Default

Thanks for the insight. I was wondering if it would loosen up over time or not.

Always appreciate the knowledge of everyone here!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-13-2017, 01:39 PM
Smitty57 Smitty57 is offline
Member
M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St.Charles Mo.
Posts: 1
Likes: 4
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Afternoon, I`m a new member and I too am having trouble with the stiff slide .but I do have arthritis real bad in my wrists . So I called S&W customer service. Their rep. said his was the same . Said run a lot of ammo in it , he also said to try some 147 gr , then move down to 124 gr.then 115 gr. it has been working for mine . run 200-400 rds through it.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 03-13-2017, 01:44 PM
Shooting Padre's Avatar
Shooting Padre Shooting Padre is offline
US Veteran
M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern Minnesota
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 569
Liked 1,235 Times in 475 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Survivor87 View Post
Thanks for the insight. I was wondering if it would loosen up over time or not.

Always appreciate the knowledge of everyone here!
I sure have!!
__________________
Endeavor to persevere. <><
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 03-13-2017, 01:55 PM
swsig's Avatar
swsig swsig is offline
Member
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 8,110
Liked 10,478 Times in 2,966 Posts
Default

As they always tell you down at new car dealers' service departments, "They all do that!"
__________________
What, me worry?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-13-2017, 03:18 PM
ChiefStealth's Avatar
ChiefStealth ChiefStealth is offline
US Veteran
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Graham, Wa.
Posts: 447
Likes: 8
Liked 246 Times in 134 Posts
Default

I got my Shield in Nov 2014. A little over 1500 rounds through it. It hasn't really loosened up much. Still quite stiff. The grip tape on the slide sounds like a good idea. Think I'll give that a try.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 03-19-2017, 04:45 PM
debbi26's Avatar
debbi26 debbi26 is offline
Member
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: No. CA
Posts: 4
Likes: 19
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I bought my 9mm Shield in 2015, put almost 1,000 rounds through it, and I still cannot lock the slide back without an empty mag. I've tried the 'locking it open for weeks at a time', that hasn't worked. I cannot field strip as the take down lever doesn't move. I feel like trading it in, but I don't want to. I was told as a last resort to send to S&W and get it checked out. I'm not strong enough is probably the issue.
__________________
M&P Shield 9mm
S&W 642 .38
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-19-2017, 06:22 PM
swsig's Avatar
swsig swsig is offline
Member
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 8,110
Liked 10,478 Times in 2,966 Posts
Default

The very stiff recoil spring assembly on my Shield 9 has been in use for 2000 rounds, and has not softened up hardly at all. In comparison, my Shield .45 with 1000 rounds through it has been fairly easy to rack. If ease of racking is a concern, and round capacity isn't, I'd go for the .45.
__________________
What, me worry?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-19-2017, 08:24 PM
armallard armallard is offline
Member
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: North east Arkansas
Posts: 205
Likes: 21
Liked 38 Times in 28 Posts
Default

I have only one good hand to rack the slide due to my stroke so I have learned different ways of operating this little gun etc: pulling slide back,dis/reassembly. Sometimes I have to put a empty magazine to lock the slide back then drop it. The things I have to do to shoot doesn't look pretty sometimes but it works. Bottom line this gun is a great little gun.
__________________
MP SHIELD 9
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-19-2017, 11:42 PM
Mountain Walker Mountain Walker is offline
Member
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 178
Liked 49 Times in 35 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Smitty57 View Post
Afternoon, I`m a new member and I too am having trouble with the stiff slide .but I do have arthritis real bad in my wrists . So I called S&W customer service. Their rep. said his was the same . Said run a lot of ammo in it , he also said to try some 147 gr , then move down to 124 gr.then 115 gr. it has been working for mine . run 200-400 rds through it.
Smitty, it will break in with use. It is real soft shooting which may be good for your wrists. If it is too difficult, the Ruger LC9s may be a better choice for you.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-20-2017, 12:03 AM
greeenteeee greeenteeee is offline
Member
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 101
Liked 48 Times in 44 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Valistar View Post
Go shoot it....a lot! It'll loosen up after a few 100 rounds.

Valistar
I haven't tried locking the slide back when not in use, and in a few hundred rounds it has gotten easier/smoother. The other posts in here saying 1500 hasn't changed, make it seem it won't get much better.

My P320 is really easy to rack, even their SC model.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-20-2017, 12:19 AM
Raisin's Avatar
Raisin Raisin is offline
Member
M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action M&amp;P Shield 9mm - very stiff slide action  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Central Washington state
Posts: 327
Likes: 182
Liked 161 Times in 93 Posts
Default

Try this.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/138601871-post125.html
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
M&P 9 STIFF SLIDE ojeda1a S&W-Smithing 0 02-21-2016 01:26 AM
M&p 40 shield magazine and action springs too stiff Djz28 Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 17 09-13-2015 08:28 PM
Stiff double action on 617 jlo1510 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 11 08-30-2015 11:31 PM
stiff slide on a 22A sweeede Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 7 12-15-2013 03:16 PM
Shield slide release is stiff............. Rebshield Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 6 08-21-2013 03:54 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:02 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)