Cannot lock the slide on new M&P Shield

[datx]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum, and was hoping to get some help on my new M&P Shield 40. I just got it from my FFL dealer earlier today. Was just about to give it a quick cleaning before I try and take it to the range tomorrow, but I noticed I can't lock the slide back.

This is what I have tried, first I release the mag, then I rack the slide back and try to lock it in place. I just noticed when I do this, I can see the little "piece" that goes up and should hold the slide from going all the way back forward, but the slide doesnt go back far enough.

Also, I was expecting that the slide will lock in place with an empty mag in it, but unfortunately does not. Im pretty sure it should and just want to double check with anyone else that has the Shield. Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[ken158]

Sounds like slide was removed and not replaced correctly. Give it another try...

 

[datx]

ken158 - Yea, trust me. I have tried and tried. Im charging the battery to my digi cam so that I can post up photos soon. I bought the Shield online and unfortunately can't simply exchange/return it, or I would.

 

[robotoid]

I had the same trouble on my first takedown/reassemble. Recoil spring was not seated properly when I put the slide back on. Use the sear disconnect and push the takedown lever down while simultaenously sliding off the slide. Reseat the recoil spring against the barrel.

 

[datx]

Ok, I finally got it. Once I rack the slide all the way back (or at least I think its all the way back), I gave it a harder pull at that point, and got it to lock. Sorry guys, I really thought there was an issue with my new Shield. It just didnt seem right. I have not had to rack the slide that far back or hard before on any of my firearms, so I got a bit nervous that my Shield had issues. Again, sorry for the false alarm.

 

[MichiganScott]

This is what I have tried, first I release the mag, then I rack the slide back and try to lock it in place. I just noticed when I do this, I can see the little "piece" that goes up and should hold the slide from going all the way back forward, but the slide doesnt go back far enough.

They will only lock back with an empty mag in place or if you push up manually on the slide lock.

 

[fuzzymcnab]

Scott,
Could you please confirm. The Shield does not lock open on the last shot?
Thanks,fuzzy

 

[Smitty357]

Scott,
Could you please confirm. The Shield does not lock open on the last shot?
Thanks,fuzzy

Mine locks open after the last shot. Has every single time.

 

[Houdini1953]

Scott,
Could you please confirm. The Shield does not lock open on the last shot?
Thanks,fuzzy

If this is happening try using both magazines unloaded and rack the slide fully to the rear if it does this with one magazine and not the other then it is the magazine and probably a weak spring in the magazine not pushing the follower up against the slide lock and thereby keeping the slide locked back after the last round.

 

[patbelly]

Scott,
Could you please confirm. The Shield does not lock open on the last shot?
Thanks,fuzzy

The Shield does lock open on the last shot of a magazine.

 

[pistol]

My Shield 9mm is brand new and I had a terrible time locking the slide back also on take down and reassembly. I just don't have the strength to push the lock up and get the slide back far enough. I am use to Bodyguard 380 which is easy. My husband can do it fine but it is so very stiff for me. My wrists are killing me. I hope it gets better when it is broken in. Otherwise I love it!

 

[dullh]

Mine locks open, too...on empty mags, on hand cycling, etc...but I have noticed after reassembly if you don't get the back of the guide rod situated perfectly the slide will not travel all the way to the rear, and will not lock. The slide stop in the Shield is set up to where it only engages a few thousands short of the end of slide travel.

 

[Donmc01]

Mine locks back fine after last shot as well without an empty mag in place. I could not be more pleased with my Shield for it's intended purpose, CC. I am confident mine will go "Bang" if necessary.

Don

 

[gdauth]

My Shield 9mm is brand new and I had a terrible time locking the slide back also on take down and reassembly. I just don't have the strength to push the lock up and get the slide back far enough. I am use to Bodyguard 380 which is easy. My husband can do it fine but it is so very stiff for me. My wrists are killing me. I hope it gets better when it is broken in. Otherwise I love it!

How are you grasping the slide when you try to rack it?

 

[OhioLefty]

It's new and will loosen up. I had to replace the Recoil Spring Assembly on my .40 Shield and the RSA Smith & Wesson was really stiff. I could lock back my old RSA really easy but the new one was so stiff I could not get it to lock back. After I finally got it locked back, I left it that way over night and now it's fine.

Good luck...

 

[Willie B]

My Shield 9mm is brand new and I had a terrible time locking the slide back also on take down and reassembly. I just don't have the strength to push the lock up and get the slide back far enough. I am use to Bodyguard 380 which is easy. My husband can do it fine but it is so very stiff for me. My wrists are killing me. I hope it gets better when it is broken in. Otherwise I love it!

Try pulling the slide rearward while pushing the frame/grip forward at the same time. This seems to work for folks who don't have lots of wrist strength.

Racking a Slide Like a Lady - YouTube

 

[Cokeman]

Next time it does that, take the slide off and spin the spring and guide rod and try again. Once you can pull the slide back easily and lock it back, you are ready to go shooting.

 

[glocksocks]

Is that normal for the RSA to have to be rotated to get it to work properly??? I'm having this same issue. I had to install my RSA about 10 times before I could rack it all the way back. Here's a picture of the top of my RSA... I swear it doesn't look right...

 

[Cokeman]

I think the spring should be wound tighter against the guide rod so it can't move side to side. Maybe the guide rod could be thicker?

 

[Robotech]

Is that normal for the RSA to have to be rotated to get it to work properly??? I'm having this same issue. I had to install my RSA about 10 times before I could rack it all the way back. Here's a picture of the top of my RSA... I swear it doesn't look right...

Both of mine, the original and the replacement S&W sent, sit flatter against the forward stop than your picture shows, but I don't think that end is as much of a problem. See if you can reposition that end of the spring on the forward stop, and get it to sit flatter.

On mine, the other end of the spring was bent away from the rest of the spring when they were cut. This forces the body of the spring to bow sharply away from the rod "almost" opposite where the cut end rests on the stop. This results in a "wave pattern" along the rest of the spring.

The trick has been to insert the recoil spring so the wavy spring doesn't interfere when it is compressed as the slide moves back.