Not used to the slide stop...

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cnardone

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So, recently purchased the 2.0. Haven't been the owner of a new gun in 30 years, so I am having to get used to some of the nuances of modern firearms. I've seen plenty of videos detailing the "slide stop" as compared to the slide release, which is what I was used to with my 30 yr. old .22. I understand that it seems like the stop does not really need to be used to release the slide to chamber a new round. Videos say to slingshot it. One of the videos explained that once you move the slide to the rear, the notch that holds the slide will drop and then you're good to slingshot it to chamber a round.

Mine doesn't drop. Another video explained the new mechanism on the 2nd gen M&P which is what I have is a little different than the gen 1 will keep that notch from dropping. Now, after having said all this, I've only put about 40 rounds through it. So, that stop is a little stiff. When I move the slide back, I have to use my thumb to maneuver the slide lock button down, so I can release the slide, which in most cases is probably what you're supposed to do. During shooting, I released it gently after inserting a new magazine and it didn't chamber the round. I can assume it's because I didn't slingshot it?

I love the gun so far, so this is not a deal breaker for me. But, will the slide lock loosen up after extended usage? I watch all these videos of people doing that slingshot method to chamber a round from a new magazine, but with mine, I have to nudge the slide lock button. And I realize I'll have to give it a hard slingshot.

Any comments or helpful hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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cnardone said:
... One of the videos explained that once you move the slide to the rear, the notch that holds the slide will drop and then you're good to slingshot it to chamber a round.

Mine doesn't drop. Another video explained the new mechanism on the 2nd gen M&P which is what I have is a little different than the gen 1 will keep that notch from dropping. ...
Click to expand...

I have an M&P 2.0 9mm full size and an M&P Shield EZ 9mm and I've not had the issue you are describing from either.

The slide stop lever is difficult to use as a slide release (but it can be done), but it always dropped without fail if I just pull the slide back (i.e. "slingshot" it).

IDK if yours is defective, but failing to drop is definitely not a "feature" of the M&P 2.0s.
 
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Ah, you've been victimized by the Nomenclature Nazis! What ever label you see on that widget, you can use it to release the slide*. Or, you can yank on the slide itself. No, it's not supposed to make a difference whether you slingshot or use the slide stop.

I've no experience with the Gen 2, but the explanation you credit to another video for the slide stop doesn't make sense. You should beware of utube "experts".

I'd give S&W customer service a call and send that puppy back for a check at the mother ship. There's something not right.

*We got pre-production samples of the Gen 1 for T&E. One came with a flat slide stop and one with an "extended" (little shelf on the lever for thumb contact) slide stop. The intention was to make & ship the flat version except for special law enforcement orders. (The Slingshot Nazis influence.) The feedback from the prospective law enforcement customers turned the flat slide stop into a collectors item because the "extended" slide stop became standard.

FWIW, sometime back someone put a link here to a digital version of the early Army manual for the 1911. Use of the slide stop to drop the slide was the method of slide release.
 
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If slide stop doesn't drop after you slingshot the slide... like WR Moore posted, start with S&W tech support.
YouTube experts are OK to watch, think and re-think. Better start with manufacturer. :)

Slide stop lever in M2.0 is stiff at the beginning and definitely needs few hundred rounds (and slide stop/release manipulations) to be working properly.

Before you call S&W, make two tests, so you know how to talk with them.

1. Once your slide is locked back - remove magazine and do slingshot. Does it work or not?
2. Again, once slide is locked back - insert fresh magazine WITH ammo and do slingshot. Does it work or not?

You can also post results here. Perhaps it's something easy to fix. We need more details.

And YES, you have to be hard with firearm. You cannot be gentle.
 
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re: Slide stop lever in M2.0 is stiff at the beginning and definitely needs few hundred rounds (and slide stop/release manipulations) to be working properly.

I've put 40 rounds through the gun so far. From what I can tell, the place I bought it from has a limited warranty on handgun purchases. I would probably keep them in mind, too.

Appreciate the responses. Thanks.
 
Do this, as I mentioned. Perhaps it's easy fix...

1. Once your slide is locked back - remove magazine and do slingshot. Does it work or not?
2. Again, once slide is locked back - insert fresh magazine WITH ammo and do slingshot. Does it work or not?


Be sure you do the test with snapcap / dummies or at the Range with live ammo.
 
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So, I did the one test as you suggested. I locked the slide back and dropped the magazine. Did the slingshot and it did work properly. Now, as far as doing it with a loaded magazine, I probably won't be going to the range again until the end of the month. To be continued...

Thanks again...
 
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cnardone said:
So, I did the one test as you suggested. I locked the slide back and dropped the magazine. Did the slingshot and it did work properly. Now, as far as doing it with a loaded magazine, I probably won't be going to the range again until the end of the month. To be continued...

Thanks again...
Click to expand...




Edit: I could have phrased that better. An empty magazine will automatically engage the slide stop. With no magazine or with rounds in the magazine the slide stop has to be engaged manually.
 
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The manual slide stop lever on the side works without a mag or with ammo in the mag.

An empty mag inserted will lock back the slide, either after the last round is fired or if you manually rack the slide with the empty mag inserted.

With an empty mag inserted and the slide locked back by the empty mag, the manual slide lock lever will work as a slide release, but requires greater force.

Once locked back with an empty mag, sling-shotting will not release the slide as long as the empty mag is inserted.
 
cnardone said:
So, I did the one test as you suggested. I locked the slide back and dropped the magazine. Did the slingshot and it did work properly.
Click to expand...

nothing wrong with the slide stop mechanism then :)


cnardone said:
Now, as far as doing it with a loaded magazine, I probably won't be going to the range again until the end of the month. To be continued...
Click to expand...


You can do the second test with snapcap. If you don't have one, let's wait until you visit the range !
 
And all this could be user error, too. So used to just tripping the slide release, I probably was trying to slingshot it with an empty magazine inserted. Could have sworn though when at the range, I tried it with rounds in the magazine and it didn't work. As I said, will have to try it again the next time I go shooting.

Slingshotting is new to me. Slowly learning the nuances. Thanks again.
 
I'm a bit late to the game, but I dug my 2.0 Compact out and tried all the possibilities to drop the slide.

I did:

Magazine out, slide locked back: Yes, sling shotting works.

Empty magazine in: No, sling shotting doesn't work. The magazine follower holds the slide lock lever up, the way it should.

Loaded magazine in: Yes, sling shotting works. The snap caps hold the follower down and out of the way allowing the slide lock lever to drop.
 
Just a thought on your comment...when I shot my 2.0 for the first time, I am not in the habit of completely loading all 17 rounds in the magazine. I loaded around 10 at a time. Should the slingshot method work with a magazine NOT at capacity? In my previous message, I stated I remember trying to slingshot it with a "loaded" magazine, but it was short of capacity. Thanks...

Loaded magazine in: Yes, sling shotting works. The snap caps hold the follower down and out of the way allowing the slide lock lever to drop.[/QUOTE]
 
cnardone said:
So, I did the one test as you suggested. I locked the slide back and dropped the magazine. Did the slingshot and it did work properly. Now, as far as doing it with a loaded magazine, I probably won't be going to the range again until the end of the month. To be continued...

Thanks again...
Click to expand...

Doesn't need to be a full magazine. One round will do. This can be done safely at home.
 
Just doing a follow up after my trip to the range. The slingshotting worked fine, so it must have been user error the first time. Also, tripping the slide stop/release works easier with a magazine inserted, so I will mainly just use that to close the slide, since it's what I'm used to.

Thanks.
 
I haven't read this whole thread, but see if it pops up and down easily with the slide off.
 
SchemaEnigma said:
Once locked back with an empty mag, sling-shotting will not release the slide as long as the empty mag is inserted.
Click to expand...

As stated, if an empty magazine is in the gun, the slide lock will not release when you pull the slide back. The follower in the magazine is lifting the slide lock. It's functioning as it should.
 
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