Can't Field Strip Shield 9mm

[dwhite]

I bought a Shield 9mm a couple of months ago. It's been super reliable and problem free since I got it.

Last week I purchased and installed a stainless steel guide rod from SSGuideRods.com. This may be completely unrelated to that purchase and I'm not questioning the reliability or suitability of this product. I've emailed them to see if they have any thoughts; but I haven't heard back yet.

The guide rod installed easily and the Shield worked flawlessly with it. When I got home I started to field strip it to clean it and was unable to do so. I've field stripped this and other Shields many times; so I know I'm doing it correctly. Here's what happens:

1. I lock the slide back with the slide lock.
2. I twist the disassembly lever to the bottom position.
3. I try to pull the slide back to release the slide lock; but the slide will not budge no matter how hard I try.

I've tried pushing against the slide with a table and I've tried pushing down on the slide release as hard as possible; but the slide will not budge. I've also tried wiggling both the barrel and guide rods; but still jammed.

As soon as I return the disassembly lever to the normal position, the gun operates normally again.

I've visually compared this Shield to another one and don't' see anything different between them. But one I can disassemble and the other I can't.

Any ideas on what might be causing this and how to fix it?

 

[WR Moore]

I don't see anything about moving the sear release lever to the position that lowers the sear and allows the slide to move forward. Unless you're calling the sear release lever the "disassembly lever". But, this shouldn't interfere with the slide moving to the rear.

It kinda sounds like the combination of the guide rod and after market spring have created a condition where the slide/spring/guide rod/frame go into solid contact, prematurely limiting slide travel.

Obviously, you're able to release the slide stop/lock. Working from a full size pistol (May be slightly different for the Shield), try the following. Pull the magazine,clear the chamber, lock the slide back. Lower the sear release lever to the down position. Move the take down lever (left side of frame) to the straight down position AND HOLD IT THERE. Release the slide, it should move forward off the frame. If it does, perform the final step: throw the stainless steel guide rod & spring away.

 

[dwhite]

FYI It's not required to lower the sear release lever to field strip the M&Ps; but doing so will eliminate the need to pull the trigger to complete disassembly. I'm "old school" and don't mind pulling the trigger to field strip.

But just to be sure, I also tried lowering the sear release lever with the same result; jammed slide and unable to release the slide lock.

HOWEVER; I did finally figure a way to complete the disassembly.

1. Using a table for leverage; I pushed the slide back all the way without using the slide lock.
2. While holding the slide all the way back (without the slide lock engaged), I flipped the disassembly lever down,
3. Then I released pressure on the slide,
4. And finally I pulled the trigger, and completed the disassembly.

At this point I removed the aftermarket guide rod and put in the original guide rod. After doing that, assembly and disassembly proceeds normally.

 

[hyena]

Glad you got it straight. Just curious why you bought the aftermarket guide rod when the gun was working well.

 

[dwhite]

Glad you got it straight. Just curious why you bought the aftermarket guide rod when the gun was working well.

Good question. Due to some health issues, I'm starting to experience some weakness. I can still rack a slide; but it's difficult (but not impossible) on the little Shield to hold back the slide while engaging the slide lock. The aftermarket guide rod uses a single spring and is slightly easier to hold back.

I wasn't sure how big a difference there would be. And it turns out it's not a big enough difference to justify the field stripping challenges

 

[swsig]

Here's another recent thread from someone with the same problem with a Shield 9 and a one-piece stainless steel guide rod:

M&P 9 Shield California Compliant Guide Rod

The OP has not posted since his original post, so I don't know if my suggestion was of any help. One thing seems apparent. These aftermarket guide rods for the Shield 9 are either out of spec, or they are too easy to insert improperly and are jamming the takedown lever. If you decide to use it again, be extra careful to make sure that it is inserted straight and level.

 

[WR Moore]

Glad you got it apart.

FYI It's not required to lower the sear release lever to field strip the M&Ps; but doing so will eliminate the need to pull the trigger to complete disassembly. I'm "old school" and don't mind pulling the trigger to field strip.

When S&W did focus groups on what features were desirable on a new service pistol, there was unanimous agreement that the phrase "pull the trigger" did not belong in the field stripping process. It's your pistol and your free choice, but bypassing safety procedures isn't wise in the long run. The best firearms/tactics instructor I've ever been privileged to experience goes so far as to verbalize each step of the clearing/unloading process.

 

[pmanton]

FYI It's not required to lower the sear release lever to field strip the M&Ps; but doing so will eliminate the need to pull the trigger to complete disassembly.

Would someone explain this to me?
You leave the sear release lever alone and pull the trigger?
Exactly when do you pull the trigger during disassembly?
What happens if you proceed with the field strip without lowering the sear release and don't pull the trigger?

I'm kinda dumb I think.

 

[dwhite]

Doing it without the sear release lever is pretty similar to how most other striker fired guns are field stripped:

1. Confirm the gun is unloaded, magazine removed, and no ammo in the area
2. Lock the slide back with the slide lock
3. Rotate the disassembly lever down
4. Release the slide and gently let it go forward. It will stop in roughly it's normal position
5. Being VERY careful about where your barrel is pointed, now pull the trigger
6. Now you can easily slide the slide off the rails

I find this method easier than looking around for a flashlight and small pointer to find and move that tiny sear release lever. I believe this method works for the entire M&P line of striker fired pistols.

 

[WR Moore]

I believe this method works for the entire M&P line of striker fired pistols.

Not if you've got a magazine safety. And, doing it your way puts a load beyond design parameters on the striker/sear. Neither was intended to resist the recoil spring. But, hey it's yours, break it anyway you want.

If you don't use the sear release lever and don't do the trigger thing-if possible, the slide won't come off the frame.

 

[OKFC05]

it's difficult (but not impossible) on the little Shield to hold back the slide while engaging the slide lock. :

Are you aware you can accomplish the same by locking the slide back on an empty magazine and then removing the empty magazine? Easier.

 

[jurek]

Would someone explain this to me?
You leave the sear release lever alone and pull the trigger?
Exactly when do you pull the trigger during disassembly?
What happens if you proceed with the field strip without lowering the sear release and don't pull the trigger?
I'm kinda dumb I think.

Very simple explanation - when slide moves during firing cycle it cocks the striker and it keeps ready to be moved forward with trigger press/pull.

If you try to disassemble the slide, the striker locks on the sear and you want be able to move the slide forward unless you lower the sear somehow (yellow lever or trigger).

Imagine the disassembly process as firing cycle when the slide moves forward. Sear is UP, slide doesn't move forward further than "barrel lock position".

 

[dwhite]

Are you aware you can accomplish the same by locking the slide back on an empty magazine and then removing the empty magazine? Easier.

Yes I am. But if both mags are already loaded this is not quite so handy a solution. The real solution might be for me to buy more mags!!!

 

[Buford57]

Yes I am. But if both mags are already loaded this is not quite so handy a solution. The real solution might be for me to buy more mags!!!

Buy more mags is the solution to many problems.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Glad you got it straight. Just curious why you bought the aftermarket guide rod when the gun was working well.

Duh. Me too. Another case of aftermarket(out of tolerance) parts screwing up a new gun.

 

[wormraper]

*sigh, you're not going to damage the striker by pulling the trigger to field strip it vs. pulling the lever down. The safety procedure is to pull the lever so as to mitigate "glock leg" take downs. But pulling the trigger doesn't damage the gun either. I've talked DIRECTLY with Smith and Wesson on this one, and their response was just that. The yellow sear take down procedure is for SAFETY, but that pulling the trigger to allow the slide off is a perfectly viable field method, just not recommended from the lawyers.

any gun that NEEDS a tool to field strip is a liability.