M&P Shield 9mm - Can't remove slide

J

jnichols2

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2016
Messages
404
Reaction score
491
I have a M&P Shield 9 that I can't get the slide off.

I bought it in February, and have had it field stripped three times successfully. Yesterday, the slide would only go 1/8" forward before hitting something that stopped it.

I tried about ten times with the same result. I also tried three times to pull the trigger instead of moving the Sear Deactivation Lever down. I have another Shield 9, and it breaks down with no problem at all.

I found a thread with the same name from November 2015: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...emove-slide.html?highlight=can't+remove+slide . The OP describes my issue exactly. He said it had to do with a defective Takedown Lever Retaining Wire/Spring.

I tried moving the spring around with a small screwdriver, and it jammed with the slide open. Now it won't close.

I guess it's going to take a trip to S&W, unless someone has a trick I didn't find in my search.

The good news - Now I know why I had a "spare" Shield.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Sorry you are going through this.

If you tweaked the spring even more, it's likely jammed between the locking block and the inside of the slide. You might try using more force to move the slide but you risk damaging the finish inside. In any case, the spring itself may be trashed. You may be able to tweak it back if you get it apart.
 
Try a small flat head screw driver or maybe tweezers and see if you can move it into position enough to release the slide. S&W can send you the part. It may not be broken just a re-seat.
 
The spring is $3.95 plus shipping at Midway. I have been reading about S&W wanting the customer to pay shipping ($50).

I might order a spring and give it a try. If I get the slide off, the rest should be as simple as removing the locking block ??
 
I had this happen with a SCCY 9mm. The recoil spring had slipped off the barrel lug preventing the slide moving forward and off the frame.
What you need to do is find a way to pull the recoil spring rod out and move the tip down to raise the rear of the pin to re-engage the pin with the lug on the barrel. The slide should come off now......
 
Nam62 said:
I had this happen with a SCCY 9mm. The recoil spring had slipped off the barrel lug preventing the slide moving forward and off the frame.
What you need to do is find a way to pull the recoil spring rod out and move the tip down to raise the rear of the pin to re-engage the pin with the lug on the barrel. The slide should come off now......
Click to expand...

"Find a way..." Uhh. Pretty general advice. With slide on, spring and rod are pretty much inaccessible.
 
Last edited:
Success

I called S&W CS today about the Takedown Lever Retaining Wire, the news was not the best. I was told to expect a 5 to 6 week turnaround plus shipping time. Natalie suggested I first check with a gunsmith. My gunsmith quoted an even longer turnaround.

You know what they say about necessity being the Mother of Invention.

1. I couldn't use a hand to hold the slide back to expose the spring, I needed that hand to work. I used a plastic clamp to lock on the recoil guide rod. Then I got my head strap flashlight.

2. I used two small screwdrivers and some leverage to straighten the spring somewhat. It wouldn't quite go into the track, but I was able to finish by tapping on a small punch. THE SLIDE CAME OFF !!

3. The only damage was to the spring itself, but it's $3.95 plus shipping at Midway. The total will probably be $10. It may be possible to just stay with the slightly mangled spring, but why trust your life to it just to save $10 ??

It lookes like my Shield will be back in business when the spring comes in. I'll make sure to do the repair BEFORE my third cup of coffee.

Closing Comments: I encourage everyone to read Nonuthin's thread. He linked it here in thread #6. It only takes a second to do the inspection he describes while cleaning the gun. If the spring needs to be tapped back into place, it's real easy WITH THE SLIDE OFF.

Trying to manipulate that spring with the slide on, because it jammed and popped out, is a nightmare.

Thanks again to Nonuthin. :D :D
 
Last edited:
I'd say you did good!! Can't tell you how many times I have managed to figure out the little quirks of our chosen hobby after calling and finding out what it will cost and the time it will be gone. Good job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

X-Raycer
M&P Slide Won't Fully Go On
Replies
5
Views
92
Saudade
Saudade
Quicksteel57
M&P shield EZ
Replies
3
Views
678
agksimon
agksimon
J
Shield perfomance plus model stuck slide
Replies
1
Views
443
Aegis
A
kiki
m&p 1.0 9mm
Replies
0
Views
335
kiki
kiki
Dogmann
Old 2.0 M&P Core long slide
Replies
2
Views
311
Dogmann
Dogmann

Latest posts

Back
Top