Can't field strip new M&P 2.0 9mm

This is a brand new full-frame pistol, never fired yet. I'm trying to do it's first field strip and cleaning and am getting stuck. I've watched videos, and have read and re-read the instructions several times but nothing is working. I can't get the slide to go forward after pushing the sear deactivation pin down and switching the take-down lever down. The best I can get is about 1/4" of travel on the slide forward, and that's applying some decent force. I don't know how much force it requires to slide forward, but it seems like something is hanging preventing forward travel. I haven't tried slamming it, and am hesitant to just release it from the rearward stop position. From the videos I've seen, it certainly doesn't look like it takes much force. I'm not too familiar with this little sear deactivation lever though. It's got me wondering if I'm not pushing that down hard enough. Any ideas on why my slide isn't going forward to field strip this thing?

My 9c 1.0 has the same problem. I needed to remove the grip tool to use the small end. Lock open the slide and press down a little lever which rocks the sear block down allowing you to get the slide off.

Hit the slide release and let the slide go forward gently, then pull the trigger after making sure that it is unloaded of course. Did you remove the magazine first? Do this instead of messing with the little take down lever and see what happens.

Marshal tom said:

Hit the slide release and let the slide go forward gently, then pull the trigger after making sure that it is unloaded of course. Did you remove the magazine first? Do this instead of messing with the little take down lever and see what happens.

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Tried that trick but still gets stuck at the same spot. No magazine. The little sear pin is "deactivating" the firing pin when I pull the trigger, but does that itself mean it's doing enough to allow the slide to come off? I'm not too sure what else that little thing does in terms of allowing a field strip.

Gmc310 said:

My 9c 1.0 has the same problem. I needed to remove the grip tool to use the small end. Lock open the slide and press down a little lever which rocks the sear block down allowing you to get the slide off.

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Thanks, yeah I'm pushing the little lever down, but the slide is still not coming off.

It looks like you're doing the right things, so the next thing you should check is your slide stop. Is your slide stop fully down? It should snap down and out of the way when you pull back your slide. If for some reason, it's not doing that, try pushing down the slide stop lever after you've pulled back the slide. If doing that solves your problem, then you may have a faulty slide stop spring, which S&W will cheerily replace free of charge.

OP, seems on my 1.0 full size I need to draw the slide back slightly before taking it forward to remove. I assume thats to release tension up against the slide stop (guess only).
The SW manual for the 2.0 shows a similar process, apologies if I missed it but have you tried that slight rearward move on it?

Copied from the online manual:
• Grasp the slide from the top as shown and remove the slide from the frame by pulling it slightly rear-ward then forward while being careful to retain the recoil spring and guide rod assembly

swsig said:

It looks like you're doing the right things, so the next thing you should check is your slide stop. Is your slide stop fully down? It should snap down and out of the way when you pull back your slide. If for some reason, it's not doing that, try pushing down the slide stop lever after you've pulled back the slide. If doing that solves your problem, then you may have a faulty slide stop spring, which S&W will cheerily replace free of charge.

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Slide stop does snap down, and looks like it's staying out of the way.

Here are some photos. I tried to show the sear pin lever in the down position, take down lever is down, and the amount of forward travel I can get in the slide before it sticks. Whatever force I use to push it forward, causes the slide to get stuck and needs an equal amount of force in the rearward direction to unstick. Kinda frustrating, first S&W I've ever owned.

It sounds like a trip back to the factory might be in order. I have a new M&P 2.0 but pull the trigger (after ensuring all safety protocols are in place) b/c I’m not sure how much pressure to apply to the yellow deactivation lever. Sorry for your troubles but S&W will make it right.

Since you can retract the slide, you could carefully remove the slide cover by the rear sight and remove the striker. That should allow you to remove the slide and have a better look inside to see what hanging up.

Saudade said:

Since you can retract the slide, you could carefully remove the slide cover by the rear sight and remove the striker. That should allow you to remove the slide and have a better look inside to see what hanging up.

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Thanks, any good guide on doing that for someone who's never attempted it before? - Here's where I embarrass myself, haha

maxforwardspeed said:

Thanks, any good guide on doing that for someone who's never attempted it before? - Here's where I embarrass myself, haha

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No worries. Just go slow. This is a bit harder when the slide is still on the frame.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9AvOIzJt_Q[/ame]

Mine is a 5" M&P and the slide sometimes get stuck too. I find that if you push the takedown level all the way and hold it while pulling the slide back a bit before going forward it releases the slide.

Old cop said:

It sounds like a trip back to the factory might be in order. I have a new M&P 2.0 but pull the trigger (after ensuring all safety protocols are in place) b/c I’m not sure how much pressure to apply to the yellow deactivation lever. Sorry for your troubles but S&W will make it right.

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If you decide to try the lever, you’ll find it moves down very easily until it hits a stop. I use a pencil, gently.

If it can move that far forward, it can't be catching the striker tang.

I have this trouble sometimes with my M&P45. What I believe is happening is the slide is getting caught on the recoil spring assembly (RSA) or....well, I don't really know. I can't see where it's getting caught.

For me the fix is to just move the slide with some force. Maybe more force than you think is necessary. You're not going to hurt the gun as long as you don't use any tools.

I will spend some time with it today and see if I can come up with the actual reason for the blockage. Once I do, I'll let you know.

On some of the M&P's the takedown lever will rotate back up, just a few degrees as the slide moves forward and the top corner of the takedown lever will then wedge against the bottom of the slide.

You may have already tried this.
With the takedown lever rotated downward 90 degrees, keep pressure against the lever then release the slide and see if that will allow the slide be removed off the frame.

Also, try gently pulling up on the slide as you ease it forward. I think the head of the guide rod may be binding up or catching on the flattened portion of the takedown lever.

Take the mag out of the weapon. Cycle the slide a few times to make sure the weapon is empty. Now, slide the slide to the rear and lock it open with the slide release. Double check the chamber and make sure there isn't a bullet in the chamber. Now, flip the slide release into the down position. Gently (while holding the grip in your firing hand), gently with your other hand on the slide, push it farther rearward past the slide stop (it will click) until you hear another click past the slide lock click. Now let the slide move forward with the same hand (making sure the slide release is still in the down position). It will stop, squeeze the trigger releasing it, push the slide slightly rearward, then let the slide, slide forward removing it from the lower.

Replacing it. Push the slide to the slide stop and lock it open, move the slide release to its locked position. Push the slide past the slide lock and let it cycle forward. Now cycle it back and forth a couple times, squeeze the trigger and make sure it will dry fire. You should be good to go.

Always best to follow the manual and use that little safety spring inside just under the lower where the mag activates it when inserted and the small tool in the bottom of the handgrip (that's a PAIN getting out). Easier to use a pencil to push it down. It was designed as a safety feature to keep people from having accidental discharges like the Glocks were during disassembly not properly disassembling their weapon and checking the chamber was empty.

Saudade said:

No worries. Just go slow. This is a bit harder when the slide is still on the frame.

YouTube

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Thanks, I might give it a try later tonight.

Rastoff said:

If it can move that far forward, it can't be catching the striker tang.

I have this trouble sometimes with my M&P45. What I believe is happening is the slide is getting caught on the recoil spring assembly (RSA) or....well, I don't really know. I can't see where it's getting caught.

For me the fix is to just move the slide with some force. Maybe more force that you think is necessary. You're not going to hurt the gun as long as you don't use any tools.

I will spend some time with it today and see if I can come up with the actual reason for the blockage. Once I do, I'll let you know.

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Great thanks, I'll give it some extra help without tools and see what happens. I can hear it catching up somewhere near the muzzle end so this would make a lot of sense. I'll give it a try.