M&P Shield Slide Difficulty

[pappyjim]

After being away from shooting for about 40 years, I just bought my new M&P Shield 9mm on July 1st. Racking & locking the slide is very difficult. Whether it be chambering the first round (as I don't want to use the slide lock as a release) or field stripping and reassembly, the slide is very difficult to rack. My past experience (1960's & 1970's) was primarily rifles and revolvers. Hopefully, my Shield's slide will break in a little. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Pappy Jim

[armorer951]

Many posts here about this "problem". You can use the "search" function to find other posts.

If you have fired the gun, and it functions normally and you have ruled out a malfunction.....then it's due to the very heavy recoil spring assembly (actually two springs) in the gun. More use will mitigate the issue.

[bigwheelzip]

Welcome to the forum.
As previously mentioned, much written about the Shield being stiff and benefiting greatly from break-in.

Owning the Shield prompted me to investigate a slipperier slide lubricant. I tried several and found Mil-Comm 25B made the slide glide easier.

On a different topic, the Uplula Maglula magazine loader will give your fingers a break.

And SGAmmo has good prices for case lots of 9mm.
9mm Luger Ammo at SGAmmo

[pappyjim]

Thanks guys.... much appreciated.

[0849]

PappyJim,

A few years ago I purchased a device called Handi-Racker that can be very helpful with semi-autos that are a bit tough in cycling the slide, especially for older guys like me. Ever since I had a slide jam up on my PPS I keep it in my range bag. Just a suggestion that might be worth taking a look at. Not sure if it is okay to post links or I would have included it, should be able to easily find it with Google search.

[oldfac]

I found that with both my 40 and my wife's nine that both shooting and dry firing are helpful in making slide retraction easier.

[Horn]

Originally Posted by pappyjim

After being away from shooting for about 40 years, I just bought my new M&P Shield 9mm on July 1st. Racking & locking the slide is very difficult. Whether it be chambering the first round (as I don't want to use the slide lock as a release) or field stripping and reassembly, the slide is very difficult to rack. My past experience (1960's & 1970's) was primarily rifles and revolvers. Hopefully, my Shield's slide will break in a little. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Pappy Jim

They are difficult. Of all my pistols my two Shields are the most difficult. I read on this sight a few days ago a poster mentioned installing a stainless steel guide rod on line and racking the Shield
was much easier. After firing 600 rounds a few days ago through one of mine___no different. Still difficult to lock back. I've ordered one of the stainless ones and will try it out. From the looks of it__on Stainless Steel Guide Rods___they don't seem to have one spring "capturing" the other.
I'm not one to normally add stuff to a pistol__but the difficulty regarding racking a Shield___I'm going to try this.
You're not alone out there.
PoliViejo