Shield Slide lock lever problems!

[Retired Smokeybear]

All of a sudden, my slide lock lever on my Shield is almost impossible to push up to lock the slide back. Never had this issue before as it was always easy to push up! I field stripped and cleaned it and oiled it really good, but still hard to push the slide lock lever up!! My Shield has never given me any problems and has over 2000 rounds thru it!
Any suggestions??? Anyone else having this issue?? Thanks to all those who answer!!

 

[NCW Ray]

With the slide off can you push it up easily?

 

[Retired Smokeybear]

Yes, it pushes up easy....

 

[NCW Ray]

Hmm, how does the recoil spring assembly look? Almost sounds like it is binding up now or maybe about to fail? For comparison, my RSA measures about 2.3 inches long.

You're experienced at racking the slide so I don't know why it would all of a sudden start to be hard to lock back, other than the reasons I mentioned...and those were just guess's on my part.

You might call S&W and see if they'll send you a new RSA.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Does it lock back on an empty magazine . . . ?

 

[msudawgs55]

Also did you make sure the yellow slide release lever inside the chamber is fully up? The slide lock will not function if this lever is not fully up.

 

[Dub]

The only time I have had an issue with the slide lock not engaging is when I do my best 90# weakling imitation after cleaning and don't get a good grip on the slide to fully pull it back. Hoppes coated fingers don't help in the least.

 

[NCW Ray]

Also did you make sure the yellow slide release lever inside the chamber is fully up? The slide lock will not function if this lever is not fully up.

It won't? If you're referring the the"yellow sear deactivation lever", I had never heard that before so I checked mine. My "slide stop" works whether the "yellow sear deactivation lever" is up or lowered.

 

[Saudade]

Also did you make sure the yellow slide release lever inside the chamber is fully up? The slide lock will not function if this lever is not fully up.

The sear deactivation lever has nothing to do with the slide lock.