This is nuthin new but Shield owners should fix this problem before it causes malfunctions and prevents you from removing your slide...
All Shield 9mm & 40 frames have this same problem where the slide lock spring can work its way out of its retaining groove in the left side of the locking block just above the disassembly lever.
When the spring does pop out (usually after firing 50-300 rounds), you won't be able to remove the slide when you try to field strip or clean your Shield because the end of the spring will catch on the inside of the slide. Worse, when this spring pops out while you're shooting, it will cause enough friction or drag on the slide so that your Shield will stovepipe and mis-feed because it can't fully cycle to eject properly and it will also fail to return to full battery (close all the way on a loaded round) because of this spring being jammed inside the slide.
When you try to field strip the gun, the spring stops you dead because it's caught on the underside of the slide preventing it from moving forward off the frame. So, what do you do?
Here's the fix:
1) If your slide is already stuck because the spring has popped out of it's groove, don't force the slide! Instead, move the slide back about an eighth of an inch so you can see the spring out of it's groove and insert a small bladed screwdriver and pry the spring DOWNWARD so the slide can come forward off the frame.
2) After you get the slide off, if the spring is not bent out of shape then you can use a small bladed screwdriver and a punch to force the spring back into the groove. You'll need three hands here so be prepared!
3) Once the spring is back into its groove, use a 1/16" punch and a small hammer to tap it fully into its groove so it's COMPLETELY recessed along its entire length.
Go shoot your Shield some more and keep an eye on the spring. If it begins to walk out of the groove again, send the gun back to the factory for a permanent repair. Otherwise, you'll be ok.
Important: Even if your Shield has never had this problem, you should definitely perform Step 3) on it as a preventative measure. I bought 13 Shields and have done Step 3) on all of them. Every 9mm & 40 Shield I have needed to have the slide lock spring tapped fully into the groove, even those that were never fired yet! The springs in the Shields that were fired more than 100 rounds had already worked far enough out of the groove to show wear spots from rubbing on the slide.
The 45's have a much DEEPER groove. When the spring was tapped with the punch, it recedes considerably deeper into the groove than any of the 9mm & 40's do. But, when the spring is fully seated on the 9mm & 40's, it is at least flush with the side of the locking block and not sticking out of the groove anywhere along its length. Obviously, the factory is not fully seating these springs during production or this wouldn't be necessary.
Remember, use a 1/16" pin punch and a very light hammer to tap the spring back into its groove BEFORE it pops out, which many eventually will.
I'll try to figure out how to post a picture later...
Thanks to member BigWheelZip whose picture I just stole...
All Shield 9mm & 40 frames have this same problem where the slide lock spring can work its way out of its retaining groove in the left side of the locking block just above the disassembly lever.
When the spring does pop out (usually after firing 50-300 rounds), you won't be able to remove the slide when you try to field strip or clean your Shield because the end of the spring will catch on the inside of the slide. Worse, when this spring pops out while you're shooting, it will cause enough friction or drag on the slide so that your Shield will stovepipe and mis-feed because it can't fully cycle to eject properly and it will also fail to return to full battery (close all the way on a loaded round) because of this spring being jammed inside the slide.
When you try to field strip the gun, the spring stops you dead because it's caught on the underside of the slide preventing it from moving forward off the frame. So, what do you do?
Here's the fix:
1) If your slide is already stuck because the spring has popped out of it's groove, don't force the slide! Instead, move the slide back about an eighth of an inch so you can see the spring out of it's groove and insert a small bladed screwdriver and pry the spring DOWNWARD so the slide can come forward off the frame.
2) After you get the slide off, if the spring is not bent out of shape then you can use a small bladed screwdriver and a punch to force the spring back into the groove. You'll need three hands here so be prepared!
3) Once the spring is back into its groove, use a 1/16" punch and a small hammer to tap it fully into its groove so it's COMPLETELY recessed along its entire length.
Go shoot your Shield some more and keep an eye on the spring. If it begins to walk out of the groove again, send the gun back to the factory for a permanent repair. Otherwise, you'll be ok.
Important: Even if your Shield has never had this problem, you should definitely perform Step 3) on it as a preventative measure. I bought 13 Shields and have done Step 3) on all of them. Every 9mm & 40 Shield I have needed to have the slide lock spring tapped fully into the groove, even those that were never fired yet! The springs in the Shields that were fired more than 100 rounds had already worked far enough out of the groove to show wear spots from rubbing on the slide.
The 45's have a much DEEPER groove. When the spring was tapped with the punch, it recedes considerably deeper into the groove than any of the 9mm & 40's do. But, when the spring is fully seated on the 9mm & 40's, it is at least flush with the side of the locking block and not sticking out of the groove anywhere along its length. Obviously, the factory is not fully seating these springs during production or this wouldn't be necessary.
Remember, use a 1/16" pin punch and a very light hammer to tap the spring back into its groove BEFORE it pops out, which many eventually will.
I'll try to figure out how to post a picture later...
Thanks to member BigWheelZip whose picture I just stole...
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