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


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Old 05-22-2017, 07:05 PM
ron37388 ron37388 is offline
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I got my MP 40 Shield a week ago. First S&W hand gun I've ever owned. Like all the other post, I could not rack the slide due to the stiffness of the new recoil spring. After 200 hand rackings using my table as a pusher, I was able to rack the slide but it was still very hard. I purchased a replacement stainless steel recoil assembly from Stainless Steel Guide Rods, Inc. Cost $39.95 plus $4.52 shipping. This is available on Amazon. Amazing difference! It was smooth and easy to rack the slide. Next was a trip to the range. I put 200 rounds down range with the factory Recoil rod & spring. No hang ups at all. But it was still very hard to rack the slide by hand. I installed the new recoil assembly and put another 200 rounds down range. No problems at all. Very satisfied with the new recoil rod assembly. This will be my daily carry weapon and I have complete confidence in it. If you're tired of busting your knuckles trying to rack the slide I would highly recommend the stainless steel replacement assembly. I don't have any +p ammo so I don't know if it will function good with the high power ammo. Personally, I don't use +p ammo. Next will be an Apex trigger and carry kit. Have to admit, the factory trigger and pull leaves a lot to be desired. Very long pull, bad reset and very scratchy. You would think S&W would have this problem fixed by now.

Last edited by ron37388; 05-22-2017 at 07:08 PM.
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Old 05-22-2017, 08:41 PM
Burnet1187 Burnet1187 is offline
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Default +P for the stainless steel guide rod ***'y

Their website advises AGAINST using +P
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Old 05-22-2017, 09:28 PM
ron37388 ron37388 is offline
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I don't use or have any +p for any of my guns. I've seen a couple post on here that say the stiff recoil springs are used so that you could use +p, but I know S&W does not recommend it. They also say the spring will relax some after 200-400 rounds. With what I shot today and my hand racking I had the equivalent of 400 rounds and still had only a maginal change in effort to rack the slide. I'm no strong muscle guy and I had to find a better way. I didn't want to go with the TracRack rear plate. That had to many bad reviews. The stainless steel single spring unit worked fine under rapid fire and makes the process to rack the slide much easier. At least it works for me.
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Old 05-22-2017, 10:02 PM
Shield9mm Shield9mm is offline
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Default First day at range MP40 Shield

Don't fully load the mags and it will be easier to rack the slide, or insert a mag with the slide open and then just release the slide to chamber a round until the RSA breaks in. My shield 45 was like yours very stiff but after 100 rounds I noticed the difference, my shield 9 is already broke in, it racks very easily.

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Last edited by Shield9mm; 05-22-2017 at 10:05 PM.
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Old 05-23-2017, 08:48 AM
wingriderz wingriderz is offline
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Is it just the sheild models that do this ? ( for those in the know ) My M & P 40 C really didn't have a stiff slide issue when new.
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Old 05-23-2017, 09:59 AM
Ballistic147 Ballistic147 is offline
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The Shield's are known for a rather stiff slide. They will get slightly better after a few hundred rounds but will still be noticeably harder to rack than the compacts or full size. Once you get adjusted to gun it's really no big deal providing you don't have arthritis or some other medical condition that can cause pain or problems with grip. My wife struggled with the Shield at first but now has no problem racking the slide. By the way, she works for an accountant and does very little manual labor so if she can do it most any healthy person can.

The trigger will also get better over time. On all of mine I lightly sanded and polished the hump on the trigger bar that engages the striker block. That area of the trigger bar has a very square edge and is slight rough. Sanding and polishing made the trigger much smoother.

The Shield will easily handle an occasional mag of +P ammo (9mm and 45ACP only) but I wouldn't make a habit of it. For the 40S&W there is no such thing as +P so stay away from any ammo that is marketed as such.
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Old 05-23-2017, 02:26 PM
ron37388 ron37388 is offline
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I'll try polishing the trigger bar before I invest in an Apex kit. I do have arthritis in both thumbs. That's why I had to get the after market recoil/guide rod. With that I can now rack the slide with no problems. There were no faults with the new guide rod after putting 200 rounds through it. The trigger is still gritty, so I'lol try you solution.
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Old 05-23-2017, 03:03 PM
Ballistic147 Ballistic147 is offline
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I can see where arthritic thumbs would cause problems with this little gun. Have you tried racking it using the heel of your palm and your fingers? Start with the gun in your strong hand pointed slightly down and away from you. Then place your weak hand over the top rear of the slide and grip using your fingers and palm. Then you pull with weak hand and push with the strong hand. This is typically how I rack the slide even though I don't have any arthritis.
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