M&P 2.0 Field Stripping

[Kelbaugh]

Brand new to forum and first time gun owner. Just purchased gun and viewing manual to do the first initial cleaning to remove factory oil, etc.
1.) Why does manual want you to remove the palmswell backstrap insert?
-Sorry if that's a stupid question-just don't see the point, and watching many videos, not one person has removed it.....but S&W manual has it in there. Just curious if there's a technical reason.

 

[Saudade]

I've never removed the backstrap to field strip mine (albeit they're 1.0s).

The manual does say to use the frame tool (holds the backstrap in) to depress the sear deactivation lever down. I'm gonna guess they say to remove it so it doesn't fall off or otherwise deform/damage it while you're messing with the rest of it.

You can use just about anything else to do that and not bother removing the tool/backstrap. Since I'm about to clean it, I have all of my cleaning stuff out so I use one of the brass tips from my cleaning rod. You can also use a toothpick, or cotton swab or anything else that will reach.

While not "recommended" by S&W, you can also pull the trigger (MAKE SURE IT"S CLEARED), like a Glock.