Difficult to rack slide.

[Horn]

Hard To Rack/ Requires One More Jerk

I have a fairly new M&P 9 Shield and have put about 100 rounds through it. I was trying to clean it this morning and it was all I could do to rack the slide back far enough to check and see if there was a round in it. I cleaned the gun and lubed it up with some Ballistol. Again, it was a fight to get it reassembled. BTW, I am not a small guy at 5'10" and 210 pounds with not a lot of fat on me so I am just wondering if anyone else is having this problem and if so, what was the fix. Thanks all..

They are all hard to rack and no loading them and letting rest a few days won't help.
Try this. Rack it sharply and then at the last mini-fraction of a moment__give it one hard jerk back. I've found this helps.
Now, I instruct the ladies (until the 380 EZ came out) when racking the slide, Instead of only pushing back with the left hand___ push forward with the right hand. You can push a lot harder than you can pull.
Also, a Handi-Racker (when at the work bench) help a lot.
Safest way to rack your pistols Handi-Racker
It's a piece of (Hard Plastic) 2"X3.5" (1/2" thick)
G'luck and stay safe.
Poli Viejo

 

[Horn]

Yup... A hard to rack slide is something that's been posted about at least Monthly since it came out in 2012, so you're not alone. Thousands have had the same difficulty.

The 'fix'? Some have sworn by the Stainless Steel guide rod (do a forum search about it), while others (like me) feel it's a waste of money, when (as others mentioned) practice will make it easier.

Some say that as with other pistols that have strong RSAs (Recoil Spring Assembly), letting it sit overnight with the slide retracted may help the RSA 'settle in'.

Of course, shooting a few hundred rounds at each range outing (exercising the RSA) will accomplish the same thing.

About three years ago I bought one of those stainless steel slides.
It did rack easier. Then, whether the notice was placed on the web site after I bought it or I missed it when ordering__ there was a caution not to be used if using +P ammo.
I don't have it anymore so must have tossed it. That notice caused concern for me.
Stay safe.
Poli Viejo

 

[Horn]

Not Intended To Be A Release

Mine is stiff as well...but my challenge is the slide release on both the 9 and .45.

With the slide all the way back it takes a lot of effort, and two hands to trip it on the 9, which has been shot with maybe 500 rounds; on the new .45 (less than 100 rounds) it's impossible. To release the slide I have to drop the mag and rack it.

Now on both guns if there are rounds in the mag, it's not a problem, I always rack by hand and hardly ever, on any of my guns, use the slide release. But still...shouldn't it be easier?

It's my understanding it's not intended to be a slide release. I know Hollywood shows this all the time. I know a few guys that
will use them for a slide release.
Some release reasonably easy but the Shield isn't one of these.
I've never tried it on my Sigs or my one Lock__G43 so I don't
know about these.
I don't mind any one who releases their slide in this manner but
it's a slide lock.
Stay safe
Poli Viejo

 

[Flintlock1]

Count me as among those who believe the Shield does NOT loosen up or "take a set" if you keep the slide locked back for a time. This is a small, lightweight but reasonably powerful little gun. This requires springs that will allow it to function reliably in less than well trained hands.

While the 9mm is not a round that produces uncontrollable bucking in a full sized gun, a small, plastic shorty will jump and cause the same effect as "limp wristing". The fast, powerful springs are engineered to be quick enough to eject and re-charge the weapon while operating in timed action.

IMO, if you try going with a lighter spring so you can more easily rack the slide, you risk slowing the slide in relation to the equally tough magazine spring. It's possible this could produce timing /feeding issues.

I have nearly 4000 rnds through my Shield-9 Ver.1 and it's as tough as ever. I've simply learned to leverage it more naturally and have gotten used to it. I love it.

My newer 2.0 Compact is somewhat easier to manipulate, possibly because it is a heavier gun and may have commensurately lighter springs. I love it, too.

 

[Raisin]

Grip tape on both sides of the slide will make a big difference.

 

[tnfan]

Grip tape on both sides of the slide will make a big difference.

Totally agree. I'm 71 and had much difficulty racking the slide. So much so that I finally stopped carrying my Shield. Finally decided to apply grip tape. Now no issues with the slide and the Shield is now my EDC.

 

[Mountain Walker]

I can rack mine, but I'm 70 with arthritis. I know a day will come...

I will order a Handi-Rack, which should ensure the future.
In a SHTF situation, I'm sure I'll rack it if I need to.
Of course, after 9 rounds expended, I could be in trouble.

This why you should get in habit and practice tactical reload before your pistol is empty. Think of your pistol and a spare magazine as a functional pair.

 

[S&W Rover]

This is a fact of life with the Shield. Doesn't disqualify the pistol - but is an issue for some.

I put two patches of "stair tape" (Lowe's or Home Depot) on the side (back) of the slide, which helped.

You can also find "slide rackers" like the one made by TacRack for the Shield -- which replace the OEM slide end plate with one has extensions on it. Picture below.

Overall, this is why my "small" pistol is now a Springfield XD-E -- which is very easy to rack.

 

[jnichols2]

There is a device that can be added to the shield to assist racking for those with weak hands or due to age and arthritis. It's called TacRack. Was originally only available for Glocks but there is one now available for Shields. I'm 73 with arthritis in both hands. I have a new Shield 2.0 which thus far I can manage to rack but there are days when gripping anything is impossible. I will probably get one of these devices. Video on you tube shows installation. Does not look to be difficult.

I bought one, based on this input I think. It was easy to install, and worked exactly as advertised.

However; I don't think the inventer ever carried concealed. After the first day, I had a big bruise on my side from the inside wing digging it. I had to remove it. It would work for a range or nightstand weapon though.

 

[NewToGuns17]

I bought one, based on this input I think. It was easy to install, and worked exactly as advertised.



However; I don't think the inventer ever carried concealed. After the first day, I had a big bruise on my side from the inside wing digging it. I had to remove it. It would work for a range or nightstand weapon though.

What if you put it on the right side and come over the top of the slide top rack it instead with your index finger, assuming you rack with your left hand? Grind off left side and touch up with paint.

 

[Jhawk412]

I too have trouble racking the slide on my PC ported Shield 9. I use an empty mag and close to the chest push pull. The ultimate fix though is the Shield 380EZ. Soooo much easier to rack. Half the effort. Mag loading too, 1/3 the effort as a Shield 9. Try it, you'll like it.

 

[jnichols2]

What if you put it on the right side and come over the top of the slide top rack it instead with your index finger, assuming you rack with your left hand? Grind off left side and touch up with paint.

See S&W Rover's input a few back. His picture shows the TacRaq has wings on both sides. It's the inside wing that dug into my side.

Carry is far less painful without it.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

TacRack for my S&W M&P 9 and 40 work great. I need help on racking and loading mags. The TacRack and the "whatever name" mag loader keep life easy and simple at 83.

 

[oldiegoldie]

just ordered [haven't received yet] Handi-Racker 2. i've got a Sig P290rs that is a bearcat to disassemble [for my 80 yr old damaged hands]. it looks like the perfect solution for keeping in the shop or taking to the range. i have grip tape on the slide also, which really helps.

 

[Redcoat3340]

I see an older post has been revived, and I posted here about my Shield.

Here's the update: The harder-to-rack slide and stiff slide stop got fixed when I sold the Shields (both .45 and 9mm) and bought a CS9 and 4513TSW. Then I picked up a 3914 LS and a Sig 245 just for variety.

No more hard to rack slides, no more stiff slide lock, and I've got four guns I am comfortable carrying, work flawlessly, and give me enough firepower for where I live and what I do.

While I liked the Shields (especially the .45) I like these guns a lot more.

 

[Parrot-Head]

Just picked up my 2.0 yesterday. I will say, it's a good deal easier to rack than my Kahr CW9.

 

[staylor]

Grip tape on both sides of the slide will make a big difference.

This worked for me.

 

[BigDog48]

OMG...If you can't rack the slide, sell your Shield and buy another pistol.

 

[Deckard427]

Instead of holding the gun at the normal 12-o'clock position (as in shooting it), rotate the gun left to about the 10-o'clock position. It makes it easier to pull the slide back with your left hand.

 

[NewToGuns17]

Instead of holding the gun at the normal 12-o'clock position (as in shooting it), rotate the gun left to about the 10-o'clock position. It makes it easier to pull the slide back with your left hand.

I was taught that people with issues with racking, hold the gun pointing at 9 o clock across your chest and push with both hands. Keeping it close to your body aids in racking.