M&P Shield 2.0 9mm...VERY Hard to Rack

[swsig]

...It's in the nature of the beast. ...

LVSteve is right on. I have a 1.0 Shield 9 with over 5,000 rounds on it, and it's still the hardest-racking semi-auto I own. It's even harder to rack when reassembling it after a field strip. But there is an effective solution not mentioned above, the Handi-Racker. I have one and it works great. Here's a link to their website: Safest way to rack your pistols Handi-Racker

 

[dirty & hairy]

To the OP - You may want to check out TacRack by Wright Shooting. They make a slide racker for the Shield that replaces the slide end cap.

I too find the slide difficult to rack on the shield, more so than other guns, but that’s the nature of the tiny firearm IMO. As mentioned above, I’ve adjusted my technique to “over the top” and push the frame with good results. I have considered the Recover Tactical Charging Handle (also mentioned above) so the Mrs could better enjoy the shield at the range, but looking at the TacRack… I just might prefer it. Thanks for the info.

 

[Saudade]

OP, just browse through the "similar threads" listed below.

I have a 1.0 Shield. Yes it's harder to rack than my other semi-autos. Likely due to the combination of stiff recoil spring and narrow slide. There is a "technique" to it. You'll find it in the similar threads.

With it, I don't need any "gadgets" but ymmv.

 

[sousana]

I added that gripper on the end of the slide, makes it oh so much easier.

 

[Pisgah]

jlh, I don't want to be mean but I just have to ask -- how do you end up buying a gun you cannot physically operate properly? Every subcompact
centerfire pistol I know of has a bugger of a recoil spring -- nature of the beast -- and is a bit of work to rack. And if it's hard to rack in the store, before you buy it, it is not going to get better once it's home.

There are gadgets and mods you can apply to your gun to help, and hopefully your physical condition is not so poor that you cannot improve your hand and grip strength. But your ultimate solution may be to find a larger, but easier to operate, pistol. A revolver is pretty handy for folks who are slide-impaired...

 

[cracker57]

Racking the slide and not riding the slide forward is key to any semi auto. The technique I use and teach is to use both arms, not just one arm or the other. The more muscles you use the less each of those muscles has to work. When someone can’t rack the slide in the usual manner of grabbing the slide with their non shooting hand (weak hand) and pulling it back people always say instead of pulling back with the weak hand grab the slide with the weak hand and hold it now push the pistol forward. While this might work for some you are just telling people to use a different set of muscles. Why not use both techniques rolled into one, Grab the slide as usual with the weak hand and pull back,while pulling the slide back with the weak hand push the gun forward using your strong arm. By using both you basically have twice the strength as you are using both hands/arms to accomplish this task. Now instead of letting go of the slide hoping it is all the way back just continue to hold on until you basically rip it right out of your weak hand. You will not be riding the slide or letting go before it is all the way back.

 

[dla]

jlh, I don't want to be mean but I just have to ask -- how do you end up buying a gun you cannot physically operate properly? Every subcompact
centerfire pistol I know of has a bugger of a recoil spring -- nature of the beast -- and is a bit of work to rack. And if it's hard to rack in the store, before you buy it, it is not going to get better once it's home.

There are gadgets and mods you can apply to your gun to help, and hopefully your physical condition is not so poor that you cannot improve your hand and grip strength. But your ultimate solution may be to find a larger, but easier to operate, pistol. A revolver is pretty handy for folks who are slide-impaired...

The OP has 5 posts in 15 years - I don't think they're going to respond.

But you bring up a very good point - how did the OP come into possession of a pistol that they can't operate?

 

[swsig]

The OP has 5 posts in 15 years - I don't think they're going to respond.

Which brings to mind a thread I started a few years ago. Maybe it's time to revisit it:

Rant: Vanishing Original Posters on the Forum

 

[CajunBass]

I've never had a problem racking a slide until I bought a 2.0 shield. As my wife says, I'm not getting old, I have arrived. Between arthritus, carpel tunnel, soft "old man hands" and bursitus, I just don't always have the hand strength to rack this thing easily. The push/pull technique helps, but even handier was one of those Recover Tactical Slide Rack Assists. Gives the gun a set of ears about like the EZ pistols have. No modification of the gun required, it's just clamps on with a nut and bolt. Well worth the twenty bucks on Amazon.

They make them for other guns too, but the Shield is definately one.

 

[jlh]

RE. M&P Shield 2.0 9mm...VERY Hard to Rack

Thanks to everyone for all the responses. Yes, I'm very much still "around," but don't post to forums very often, but do monitor them. The problem is the narrow slide, coupled with the stiff, recoil-spring, but I've found a technique that works for me. Again, thanks for the many responses.

 

[jschmidt]

It was always surprising to me how people could have difficulty racking the slide of a pistol. I was blessed with size XXL strong hands. They come in handy, except when buying gloves. But the past month or so has been an eye opener. I've got a problem with my left hand. Can't pinch grip anything with my thumb. Seeing the doctor soon. I've overdone it recently cutting down dead ash trees on my property, so hopefully it's just temporary inflammation. It's given my a whole new sympathetic view towards people who struggle racking a slide. Luckily I carry either a 642 or a BG380, which I can still rack.

To the OP - I'd do what others have suggested and try to compare yours with other Shields. I'd think if yours came with an overly stout recoil spring it would have affected gun function.

One other thought. Do you have other pistols, and are you able to rack them OK? Just to eliminate the problem being your grip, as opposed to the gun.

Good luck,

and putting in little springs

 

[.38SuperMan]

I love my Shield 2.0 but have arthritis in my hands and wrists. Now that I’m also in my 70’s I no longer have the strength to grip even on a good day. My solution was the Recover Tactical Charging Handle and I can now operate the slide without issue.

The recoil spring is heavy, no question, so don’t get discouraged because the Shield is a great pistol.

 

[haywood]

I put the gripper thing on mine also. Works good

 

[jlh]

38Superman...I too am in my '70s, and don't have the hand-strength that I once had...I put some stair-grip-tape over the shallow scallops on the slide, and that solved my issue.

 

[JAREDSHS]

I have set here and read and re read this whole thread and you knowI can relate to every single post. Here’s the real issue I believe, the prospective gun loving customer goes to the
Gun store and lovingly fondles the purty new Shields and Kahrs and virtually All of the
Popular micro size semis and their mind will just NOT accept the REALITY that the slide is hard to operate. HE WANTS THAT NEW GUN !! The truth is ……..sometimes they get easier…sometimes you just adapt to it,….sometimes you just accept it for what it is and sometimes
When you are 85 like me and have a pretty good dose of old man Arther, you just give up and start carrying a revolver….like I do. But I still fondly remember my Shield9 and my Kahr CM9….��

 

[armorer951]

Another possible solution. I have installed this ArachniGrip pre-cut material to my Shield slide. (and Glock model 36) The add-ons are cut for the specific gun model and fit perfectly, without any permanent alterations to the slide.

I also suffer from similar strength and arthritis issues as most 70+ year olds.

Makes manipulation of the slide a breeze.

Home - ArachniGRIP | Parker, CO | Premium Pistol Accessories

 

[haywood]

I have set here and read and re read this whole thread and you knowI can relate to every single post. Here’s the real issue I believe, the prospective gun loving customer goes to the
Gun store and lovingly fondles the purty new Shields and Kahrs and virtually All of the
Popular micro size semis and their mind will just NOT accept the REALITY that the slide is hard to operate. HE WANTS THAT NEW GUN !! The truth is ……..sometimes they get easier…sometimes you just adapt to it,….sometimes you just accept it for what it is and sometimes
When you are 85 like me and have a pretty good dose of old man Arther, you just give up and start carrying a revolver….like I do. But I still fondly remember my Shield9 and my Kahr CM9….��

I’ve been carrying nothing but J-Frames for years. I recently inherited the Shield 9. After shooting it I couldn’t get over how nice it shot. I decided to carry it along with my pocket J-Frame. I probably don’t need the wing all the time but, I didn’t want to take a chance on having the weak hurting hand on a day I may be loading or unloading. I don’t need extra holes anywhere.

 

[.38SuperMan]

38Superman...I too am in my '70s, and don't have the hand-strength that I once had...I put some stair-grip-tape over the shallow scallops on the slide, and that solved my issue.

I thought about doing that too. Thanks!

 

[CMikeB]

This has to be the most difficult slide to rack that I've ever seen...'Had S&W send me a new recoil spring assembly, but still very difficult to rack...There's no binding of any type....'just hard to pull...I've put "sand-paper" style grip-tape over rear slide serrations, and that makes manipulation much easier...'but...I shouldn't have to do that....Slide moves freely along frame rails with barrel & RSA removed...Don't know if there's a problem, or not, but that grip-tape over the rear slide serrations, shouldn't be needed....Thanks in advance.

After searching around on the web, I found solutions to 'lack of pinch pressure' for my wrecked hands. There are a few vendors who can help.I don't carry, so that's a consideration for these handles being in the way. The SW Mag Release 'paddle' extension certainly helped too.

 

[Shield 9 WV]

I've never had a problem racking a slide until I bought a 2.0 shield. ...but even handier was one of those Recover Tactical Slide Rack Assists. Gives the gun a set of ears about like the EZ pistols have. No modification of the gun required, it's just clamps on with a nut and bolt. Well worth the twenty bucks on Amazon.

.

I have the original Shield9 and the newer Shield9 Plus. The original was really hard to rack especially when new. The Plus is better but not by much.

At the age of 66 I thought I was on my way to an EZ but someone recommended the Recover Slide assist. It absolutely works and I highly recommend it.