I have a fairly new M&P 9 Shield and have put about 100 rounds through it. I was trying to clean it this morning and it was all I could do to rack the slide back far enough to check and see if there was a round in it. I cleaned the gun and lubed it up with some Ballistol. Again, it was a fight to get it reassembled. BTW, I am not a small guy at 5'10" and 210 pounds with not a lot of fat on me so I am just wondering if anyone else is having this problem and if so, what was the fix. Thanks all..

It has a real thin slide and a very stout Recoil Spring Assembly (RSA) which makes it harder to rack the slide. The thin slide is what caused me problems racking it at first, but now that I've gotten used to it I can rack it easily.

Some will say the spring will break-in/loosen up with use and become easier to rack. I used to think that too, until I put a brand new RSA in mine and I could still rack the slide as easily as I could with the old RSA.

Again, I think it's just a matter of getting used to racking the small gun.

ymmv

My 65 years old SO can rack hers although she had some minor difficulty at first. I think the “fix” is to practice.


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Yup... A hard to rack slide is something that's been posted about at least Monthly since it came out in 2012, so you're not alone. Thousands have had the same difficulty.

The 'fix'? Some have sworn by the Stainless Steel guide rod (do a forum search about it), while others (like me) feel it's a waste of money, when (as others mentioned) practice will make it easier.

Some say that as with other pistols that have strong RSAs (Recoil Spring Assembly), letting it sit overnight with the slide retracted may help the RSA 'settle in'.

Of course, shooting a few hundred rounds at each range outing (exercising the RSA) will accomplish the same thing.

I have seven semi-autos, and my Shield 9 is by far the hardest to rack, especially when re-assembling it. The recoil spring assembly in my Shield 9 has 3,000 rounds on it, and it has not loosened up very much at all. I hold my Shield close to my body, get a firm grasp on the slide, and rack it by pushing the grip as violently as I can while retaining control. But that can be painful and exasperating. Therefore, I have found two effective solutions to this problem:

1. The Handi-Racker. It's great invention for Shield 9 owners because it allows you to rack your Shield instantly and easily. It's a block of plastic with a cut-out for your slide. Insert the slide, and push the block against any hard surface, engage the slide lock, and presto, your slide is racked.

2. The Shield 45. Not only is it much easier to rack than the Shield 9, it is more accurate. It has replaced my Shield 9 as my back-up every day carry.

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What, me worry?

My shield loosened up around 2500/3000 rounds and has gotten better with more use (now up to 9000 +/-). Use the heck out of it. It's like the energizer bunny.

Try a different technique. Instead of pushing the gun away w/ one hand and and pulling the slide toward you w/ the other hand..hold the gun as close to your chest as possible, (right hand shooter) push the gun to the left w/ your right hand, while pushing the slide to the right w/ your left hand. Be aware where the muzzle is pointing. Often it's a good idea, at a typical range for instance, (again right hand shooter) to rotate your body 90 degrees to the right so the gun is pointing toward the target and not at the person in the lane to your left.

The way I lock mine back is this. Grab the gun as if you're going to shoot it with your right hand. With your left, grab the rear serrations. With your right hand thumb, apply pressure to the slide stop. Push to the left with your right hand while pushing the slide with your left hand to the right. When the slide is back enough the pressure from your thumb will lock the slide open.

Hold gun parallel to your chest so it's like you're trying to shoot at a left target from your chest.

They are more difficult to rack than most other brands, but should be pretty easy for a big guy with some strength. Could be the technique you're using. Take a look at this guy's video.

I'm 5'10" 190lbs and I have a lot of fat. So, if I can do it, you can do it. Here's a shorter video on racking the Shield:

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Freedom isn't free.

I can rack mine, but I'm 70 with arthritis. I know a day will come...

I will order a Handi-Rack, which should ensure the future.
In a SHTF situation, I'm sure I'll rack it if I need to.
Of course, after 9 rounds expended, I could be in trouble.


My Shield 9 is M01, and I have resisted upgrading to M02.
If Smith borrows from the 380 Shield EZ for M03, I'll definitely buy it.

To keep it open use an empty mag and then rack it. It will automatically lock open. The push rather than the pull described above certainly helps. It will loosen up over time

^^^^^suggestion, practice this procedure. you can also lock the slide back w/ this procedure.

another suggestion. PT.com. on this http:, videos, skill set.

Nearly impossible at first, lock it back with an empty mag. Leave it sit that way for a few days. It will help.

I know that if I couldn't rack the slide easily it would worry me some but, how often do you need to do it? When I go to the range the answer is once, right at the start. From then on, it locks back on an empty mag, I load a full mag, and slingshot the slide closed. I could also use the slide release lever.

There is a device that can be added to the shield to assist racking for those with weak hands or due to age and arthritis. It's called TacRack. Was originally only available for Glocks but there is one now available for Shields. I'm 73 with arthritis in both hands. I have a new Shield 2.0 which thus far I can manage to rack but there are days when gripping anything is impossible. I will probably get one of these devices. Video on you tube shows installation. Does not look to be difficult.

Mine is stiff as well...but my challenge is the slide release on both the 9 and .45.

With the slide all the way back it takes a lot of effort, and two hands to trip it on the 9, which has been shot with maybe 500 rounds; on the new .45 (less than 100 rounds) it's impossible. To release the slide I have to drop the mag and rack it.

Now on both guns if there are rounds in the mag, it's not a problem, I always rack by hand and hardly ever, on any of my guns, use the slide release. But still...shouldn't it be easier?

Get your wife to rack the slide for you.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

the hardest one I've found is the kahr PM9. The shield comes in 2nd place. You need strong fingers!

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

They are all hard to rack and no loading them and letting rest a few days won't help.
Try this. Rack it sharply and then at the last mini-fraction of a moment__give it one hard jerk back. I've found this helps.
Now, I instruct the ladies (until the 380 EZ came out) when racking the slide, Instead of only pushing back with the left hand___ push forward with the right hand. You can push a lot harder than you can pull.
Also, a Handi-Racker (when at the work bench) help a lot.
Safest way to rack your pistols Handi-Racker
It's a piece of (Hard Plastic) 2"X3.5" (1/2" thick)
G'luck and stay safe.
Poli Viejo

About three years ago I bought one of those stainless steel slides.
It did rack easier. Then, whether the notice was placed on the web site after I bought it or I missed it when ordering__ there was a caution not to be used if using +P ammo.
I don't have it anymore so must have tossed it. That notice caused concern for me.
Stay safe.
Poli Viejo

It's my understanding it's not intended to be a slide release. I know Hollywood shows this all the time. I know a few guys that
will use them for a slide release.
Some release reasonably easy but the Shield isn't one of these.
I've never tried it on my Sigs or my one Lock__G43 so I don't
know about these.
I don't mind any one who releases their slide in this manner but
it's a slide lock.
Stay safe
Poli Viejo

Count me as among those who believe the Shield does NOT loosen up or "take a set" if you keep the slide locked back for a time. This is a small, lightweight but reasonably powerful little gun. This requires springs that will allow it to function reliably in less than well trained hands.

While the 9mm is not a round that produces uncontrollable bucking in a full sized gun, a small, plastic shorty will jump and cause the same effect as "limp wristing". The fast, powerful springs are engineered to be quick enough to eject and re-charge the weapon while operating in timed action.

IMO, if you try going with a lighter spring so you can more easily rack the slide, you risk slowing the slide in relation to the equally tough magazine spring. It's possible this could produce timing /feeding issues.

I have nearly 4000 rnds through my Shield-9 Ver.1 and it's as tough as ever. I've simply learned to leverage it more naturally and have gotten used to it. I love it.

My newer 2.0 Compact is somewhat easier to manipulate, possibly because it is a heavier gun and may have commensurately lighter springs. I love it, too.

Grip tape on both sides of the slide will make a big difference.

Totally agree. I’m 71 and had much difficulty racking the slide. So much so that I finally stopped carrying my Shield. Finally decided to apply grip tape. Now no issues with the slide and the Shield is now my EDC.

This why you should get in habit and practice tactical reload before your pistol is empty. Think of your pistol and a spare magazine as a functional pair.

This is a fact of life with the Shield. Doesn't disqualify the pistol - but is an issue for some.

I put two patches of "stair tape" (Lowe's or Home Depot) on the side (back) of the slide, which helped.

You can also find "slide rackers" like the one made by TacRack for the Shield -- which replace the OEM slide end plate with one has extensions on it. Picture below.

Overall, this is why my "small" pistol is now a Springfield XD-E -- which is very easy to rack.

Attached Images

TacRack.jpg (30.7 KB, 42 views)

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S&W Rover

I bought one, based on this input I think. It was easy to install, and worked exactly as advertised.

However; I don't think the inventer ever carried concealed. After the first day, I had a big bruise on my side from the inside wing digging it. I had to remove it. It would work for a range or nightstand weapon though.

What if you put it on the right side and come over the top of the slide top rack it instead with your index finger, assuming you rack with your left hand? Grind off left side and touch up with paint.

I too have trouble racking the slide on my PC ported Shield 9. I use an empty mag and close to the chest push pull. The ultimate fix though is the Shield 380EZ. Soooo much easier to rack. Half the effort. Mag loading too, 1/3 the effort as a Shield 9. Try it, you’ll like it.

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Jhawk412
Tulsa, Ok.

See S&W Rover's input a few back. His picture shows the TacRaq has wings on both sides. It's the inside wing that dug into my side.

Carry is far less painful without it.

TacRack for my S&W M&P 9 and 40 work great. I need help on racking and loading mags. The TacRack and the "whatever name" mag loader keep life easy and simple at 83.

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TOMBECK

just ordered [haven't received yet] Handi-Racker 2. i've got a Sig P290rs that is a bearcat to disassemble [for my 80 yr old damaged hands]. it looks like the perfect solution for keeping in the shop or taking to the range. i have grip tape on the slide also, which really helps.

I see an older post has been revived, and I posted here about my Shield.

Here's the update: The harder-to-rack slide and stiff slide stop got fixed when I sold the Shields (both .45 and 9mm) and bought a CS9 and 4513TSW. Then I picked up a 3914 LS and a Sig 245 just for variety.

No more hard to rack slides, no more stiff slide lock, and I've got four guns I am comfortable carrying, work flawlessly, and give me enough firepower for where I live and what I do.

While I liked the Shields (especially the .45) I like these guns a lot more.

Just picked up my 2.0 yesterday. I will say, it's a good deal easier to rack than my Kahr CW9.

This worked for me.

OMG...If you can't rack the slide, sell your Shield and buy another pistol.

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Loving retirement!

Instead of holding the gun at the normal 12-o'clock position (as in shooting it), rotate the gun left to about the 10-o'clock position. It makes it easier to pull the slide back with your left hand.

I was taught that people with issues with racking, hold the gun pointing at 9 o clock across your chest and push with both hands. Keeping it close to your body aids in racking.

I carry the Shield 45 and have owned the 9 and 40 also. I can verify the 45 is easier to rack than either of those. I wanted the wife to see if she liked the 9mm Shield, she couldn't rack it at all. Doesn't seem to have a problem opening the cylinder on her Sp101 though!

my handi-racker arrived and i was impressed enough to order the "small" H-R also. i've made my living as a farmer/rancher for about 60 years and physical labor has been the daily regimen. there comes a time when the strength just isn't there and a little assistance is needed.

This video was extremely helpful. I have been having difficultty locking the slide and now after watching it is so much easier. The trick for me was pushing up on the slide lock as I push the slide back. Before I would push the slide back and then push up on the slide lock. Thank you so much for your help. LD

My wife has arthritis and cannot... as in CANNOT... rack the slide on my full size M&P 2.0 9mm. We have tried several techniques.... can't be done.

I wanted a smaller gun for EDC, so I bought the Shield EZ 9. Problem solved. The EZ line is a great gun for a certain segment of the market. Kudos to S&W.

The EZ is a great option for people with limited hand strength. Glad you were able to find her an option.

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USMC 83'-87', NRA Member.

I like the shield, but what I really wanted was a 3rd gen 9mm. Picked up this 915 w/2 15 round mags. Shoots a little left for me, but all metal and a great range gun .

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

The TacRack, ArachniGRIP tape, and the push-pull procedure are about all that I have found to make racking the slide easier. In spite of being hard to rack, I still really like the Shield.