9mm Shield issues

[Jrr5283]

To start off, this is my first handgun, I am a girl, and I am not up to all the correct terminology but I'll do the best I can.

I have a smith and wesson M&P shield 9mm

First issue I am having: I load my magazine; extended mag or the regular one, while the slide is locked back. I know your suppose to pull the slide back to release and set the bullet into place and not use the slide stop as a slide release but I can't seem to get it to release without using the slide stop. Once in a while my boyfriend can get it to release just by pulling it back but on rare occasions. Noted, this is a fairly new gun and may be stiff but I wouldn't think it would be that stiff. Maybe there is a trick to it? I don't know, any advice is appreciated.

Ok, second issue. This could definitely be user error but may as well throw it up here. When firing my mag tends to drop out. I don't think I am hitting the mag release button but could be possible, does any one else have this issue? The only thing I can think of is my palm of my non dominant hand hitting it and knocking it out.

 

[hollombj]

Welcome!

Welcome to the shooting sports.It's great to see more females getting involved.Don't be afraid to ask questions,that's how we all learn.

As to the magazine dropping out try shooting the gun with one hand.If the mag stays put one handed then you are probably hitting the button with your support hand.Have someone else shoot it one handed if your not comfortable,these guns need a stiff wrist in order to cycle.

As to the slide release has the gun been thoroughly cleaned of any factory grease/heavy oil? If not do so and relube according to the manual. These guns can be stiff when brand new.

If problems continue just send it to Smith,they will take care of it. Good Shooting!

 

[Jrr5283]

Welcome to the shooting sports.It's great to see more females getting involved.Don't be afraid to ask questions,that's how we all learn.

As to the magazine dropping out try shooting the gun with one hand.If the mag stays put one handed then you are probably hitting the button with your support hand.Have someone else shoot it one handed if your not comfortable,these guns need a stiff wrist in order to cycle.

As to the slide release has the gun been thoroughly cleaned of any factory grease/heavy oil? If not do so and relube according to the manual. These guns can be stiff when brand new.

If problems continue just send it to smith,they will take care of it. Good Shooting!

Thank you, I've actually been around guns all my life, I am an avid hunter, so I am knowledgeable, with rifle, bows and what not, but new to pistols so its a learning curve...

I cleaned it, probably not as thorough as I should I have, I will definitely give it a try as well as shooting with one hand, hopefully it will help with both problems!

Thanks again

 

[mesinge2]

I agree with the above poster. Its odd to be that stiff, as my 9mm Shield does/did not have this issue. However, I did have a Springer 1911 that was a beast to slingshot the slide until I shot about 500 rounds through it; so it could be that particular one needs to be shot some more. With my Springer, I had to almost exclusively use the slidestop until I got it broken in.

If the problem persists definitely contact S&W, they'll take care of you.

.

 

[Der Biermeister]

Jrr

Regarding the mag-drop problem. It is highly likely that it is the gun itself and not anything you are doing. Do a search on this issue as you should find dozens of threads. Check to find the manufacture date of your Shield. I keep hearing from posters here that recently (maybe it was just since the beginning of the year?) S&W resolved the mag-dropping issue by putting a dimple in the mag. I believe my mags have this so-called "dimple". I wouldn't refer to it as a dimple -- to me it is more like a pushed-in notch at the top of the mag on the bullet side. Kind of rectangular in shape.

 

[mesinge2]

Jrr

Regarding the mag-drop problem. It is highly likely that it is the gun itself and not anything you are doing. Do a search on this issue as you should find dozens of threads. Check to find the manufacture date of your Shield. I keep hearing from posters here that recently (maybe it was just since the beginning of the year?) S&W resolved the mag-dropping issue by putting a dimple in the mag. I believe my mags have this so-called "dimple". I wouldn't refer to it as a dimple -- to me it is more like a pushed-in notch at the top of the mag on the bullet side. Kind of rectangular in shape.

Wasn't that the primary problem associated with the .40 S&W Shield pistols, not the 9mm?

 

[zeddic]

To start off, this is my first handgun, I am a girl, and I am not up to all the correct terminology but I'll do the best I can.

I have a smith and wesson M&P shield 9mm

First issue I am having: I load my magazine; extended mag or the regular one, while the slide is locked back. I know your suppose to pull the slide back to release and set the bullet into place and not use the slide stop as a slide release but I can't seem to get it to release without using the slide stop. Once in a while my boyfriend can get it to release just by pulling it back but on rare occasions. Noted, this is a fairly new gun and may be stiff but I wouldn't think it would be that stiff. Maybe there is a trick to it? I don't know, any advice is appreciated.

Ok, second issue. This could definitely be user error but may as well throw it up here. When firing my mag tends to drop out. I don't think I am hitting the mag release button but could be possible, does any one else have this issue? The only thing I can think of is my palm of my non dominant hand hitting it and knocking it out.

I have a brand new shield that had the same exact issue with the slide stop not disengaging after pulling back the slide. It was also impossible to pull down the slide stop with my thumb. I have since done 2 things and it seems to have resolved the issue:

1) I shot about 100+ rounds through it. While I was going thru this process, I had to pull back the slide and press down on the slide stop at the same time.

2) I thoroughly cleaned and lubed the gun. I applied slide glide to the grooves on the slide as well as the rails on the frame.

After cleaning I was able to slingshot the slide but it still felt a little stiffer than I am used to. I then shot another 50 rounds and that seems to have resolved the stiffness completely. I am also now able to pull the slide stop down but it still takes quite a bit of effort, more so than any of my other guns.

I'm glad that I'm not the only person who's had this issue with their shield and I hope my experience can help you out. I have no issues with my mag falling out tho, one thing I did notice was how hard it is to get the magazine in if the gun is still loaded, you really have to bang on the bottom of the mag to get it seated properly. You can try just loading one cartridge in the mag and load the mag on an empty gun and see if your magazine still falls out after firing. If it does, then I think you have a real issue and should call S&W.

 

[Jrr5283]

mesinge2: I was going to comment on the same thing, I've read a lot of problems with the mag dropping in the .40 but have read nothing about the 9mm which again leads me to the conclusion, I'm doing something wrong. Next time I am at the range I plan on shooting it one handed to see if I indeed am the problem. Great advice though and I thank everyone for not bashing, since I've since a number of posts commenting on the wrong terminology on things.

Thanks again!

 

[Lost Lake]

First issue I am having: I load my magazine; extended mag or the regular one, while the slide is locked back. I know your suppose to pull the slide back to release and set the bullet into place and not use the slide stop as a slide release but I can't seem to get it to release without using the slide stop.

One thing at a time.

Are you putting a loaded magazine into the gun with the slide open? That's what I think you are saying.

At that point, with the magazine locked into place (pull on the mag to be sure it is locked in) the slide lock will be disengaged. The only thing keeping the slide lock in place is friction between the slide lock and the slide. Pulling the slide back will release the slide lock and it will fall down and out of the way of the slide.

If this is not happening, you may have something wrong with your magazine where the follower is not pushing on the slide lock to release it.

Ok, second issue. This could definitely be user error but may as well throw it up here. When firing my mag tends to drop out. I don't think I am hitting the mag release button but could be possible,

Here's another big clue that you may not be getting your magazine locked in place correctly.

Put the magazine in firmly, smack it on the bottom to insure it is locked in the grip, and pull it down like you are trying to pull it out of the gun, to insure it is locked in place.

Let me know if this fixes the problem.

.

 

[GKC]

Another suggestion: with any new pistol, after I clean it, I leave it with the slide locked open for a while, like a week or so. I also load the magazines to capacity and leave them sit loaded for the same period of time.

It may not really be doing anything, but it seems to help, and it can't hurt, so that's what I do.

 

[Jrr5283]

Lostlake:

Yes that what I was trying to say... Could I also try this with an unloaded mag.? Can't get to the range today, and I already tried this technique with an unloaded mag.

I had the slide locked. Inserted my empty mag and made sure it was secured by pulling on it. At that point I tried to sling shot it, but still no luck. It may have to have a loaded mag? Maybe I'm not doing it fast or hard enough, could that be a cause since like you said, it all has to do with the friction created?

 

[Jrr5283]

Another suggestion: with any new pistol, after I clean it, I leave it with the slide locked open for a while, like a week or so. I also load the magazines to capacity and leave them sit loaded for the same period of time.

It may not really be doing anything, but it seems to help, and it can't hurt, so that's what I do.

Thanks, I'm definitely going to try this, right about now!

 

[Roadranger]

5283, the follower in the empty magazine is what activates the slide lock. With an empty mag in place the slide is not going to close unless you depress the slide lock. Take the empty mag out and then pull the slide all the way to the rear, it should race home and close. Bob1

 

[KKECK5]

I'm a big guy, and I noticed that I had to give the mag an extra push before I heard a click and felt it go up further. Whole gun will loosen up in time. Practice your grip and gun control. It's a 40 and can get away from you. Sure the 9mm is similar.

 

[MSG Glenn]

I have a feeling that your slide stop is too stiff & with use & some lubrication it'll loosen up enough to drop when you pull the slide all the way back. I think it could be both a stiff slide stop or a stiff slide or both. Put some lube right in the slide rails & keep jacking it. Then wipe off the excess & jack it some more to "wear it in". Then go & shoot it. Only time will tell. There seem to be two different S&Ws - those that come with excess grease & those that come dry. Both can be a problem without cleaning & lubing.

As for your magazine problem I'd give S&W a call especially if your weak hand isn't riding the mag release inadvertently pushing it. It's possible that they're having the same problem they had with the Shield 40. They may not even know that there may be a problem developing until people start calling & telling them. I've heard that S&W doesn't manufacture their mags & there could be some quality control problems developing.

 

[gnystrom]

As an RSO I have seen a couple of Shield issues arise. Mag drops ARE an issue on some 9mm pistols. S&W does not make this public but they have retrofitted a stronger mag release spring on a couple of my customers guns. Contact S&W and they will send you the labels and go over your gun for any issues.

 

[Jrr5283]

5283, the follower in the empty magazine is what activates the slide lock. With an empty mag in place the slide is not going to close unless you depress the slide lock. Take the empty mag out and then pull the slide all the way to the rear, it should race home and close. Bob1

I've tried that as well still no luck unfortunately.

I have it sitting now with the slide open, which was suggested by another user, hopefully that will help loosen it up. As well as cleaning it up and lubing it up and messing around with it for a while, safely of course.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Welcome to the Forum.

Dropping the magazines seems to be an issue, but more often reported with the .40 S&W caliber Shield.

As to the inability to get the slide to go forward, pulling the slide back should release the slide stop allowing the slide to go forward. As to this issue, with the top half off the pistol, as described in the Owner's Manual for cleaning, push up on the slide stop and let it go. It should snap very smartly down under spring pressure. If it does not, there is a spring issue. If it does snap smartly down, then there is another issue.

Either way, I would call S&W for a shipping label. Put a letter of instructions in with your pistol to describe both of the issues you are having. Be sure to give your daytime phone number in case they need to call you. Also, be sure you give them an actual street address for return purposes. Don't forget to include both magazines so they can repair or replace them if it is a magazine issue.

Good luck.

 

[ric_in_or]

How do you rack the slide?

Try this way -
Different ways to rack the slide - YouTube

Starting at 50 seconds.

I also recommend keeping the off hand stationary and pushing with strong hand. The video shows moving the off hand.