Hello everyone. First time on the forum. I have recently bought a new SD40 VE at a gun show. Very happy with the pistol, good accuracy, easy to break down and very nice feel to it. After shooting and cleaning earlier today, I accidentally forgot to put the recoil spring back under the barrel while putting it back together (smart, I know), and now the barrel is stuck inside the front "section" of the slide. I can move the slide back and fourth on the frame, as well as the barrel inside the slide, but the slide is stuck "open" as if it were out of ammo and I cannot remove it not matter what I've tried so far. Is anyone familiar with this? Or have an idea on how to remove the slide/barrel? I will post pictures in a minute...

Here you can see it behind the slide release bar
photo 2.jpg

Heres a closer view
photo 3.jpg

If I pull the release bar down, I can slide the barrel over the bar, but its then caught under that larger metal "bar" above the trigger spring. Heres a view of that
photo 4.jpg

this one i am not familiar with. i assume at this point you have tried the takedown lever and its not releasing. try to flip down the tabs. slide back to a "normal position and then try pulling the trigger. assuming the gun will go into battery it may release the slide then

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Fugitive Recovery Agent

You were exactly right, did this myself not too long after I posted this and it worked. I had tried that before but stopped because the trigger wouldn't give and I was afraid I would break something. Thanks for the reply though!

no problem thats what we are here for, helping our fellow SD lovers when bad things happen and they need advise. one of the reason i love this forum so much. never shortage of knowledgeable people willing give insight and help out

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Fugitive Recovery Agent

Nevermind.

??? nevermind what???

I asked a question then I read the post closer and found the answer.

I found this thread looking for a solution to an ALMOST identical problem with my new SD40VE.
My slide was stuck in between RELEASE and NORMAL assembly. The guide rod protruded about 3/4 inch with the barrel protruding about /2inch. The slide would not release, would return to battery, and the trigger would operate normally.

My problem was caused by the recoil spring not properly seated on the barrel lug. After couple frustrating hours, I managed to release the slide, fully seat the recoil spring, and return my SD40VE to NORMAL!!!
If this might help someone else down the road, following is what seemed to work for me.
1. Pull the slide rearward like a normal field strip (about 1/4") and move the takedown catch down as much as possible.
2. Next, pull the slide fully rearward and depress the trigger.
3. While keeping the trigger depressed, rack the slide CONTINUOSLY until you hear an easily audible click.
4. Release the slide and PROPERLY seat the recoil spring!
You should be able to assemble the SD40 to it's normal closed position.
Hope this helps someone.

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Glock 17, Glock 23, Shield 9mm

Just wanted to say thank you for all of you posted previously on here about the stuck barrel. The fix worked for me too.