M&P pistol question about sear deactivation lever

[FullEffect1911]

Hello,

I realize this question is mostly academic, however it is something that has me curious.

In the manual for M&P pistols it says to always have the sear deactivation lever in the lowered/disconnected position upon reassembly. However when reassembling my M&P it doesn't seem to matter one bit as to what position this lever is in, the pistol will still assemble fine without anything being forced. Why is this in the instructions if it doesn't matter? Does it in fact matter? Can damage be done with having the lever in the up position?

I realize that the lever's shape was changed so that the tip is straight instead of looking like a shepherds hook. Is this the reason that this reassembly procedure no longer matters? The lever in my M&P is the straightened version.

Regards,
Fulleffect1911

 

[S&W1006]

I don't know it doesn't seem to matter on mine either. Maybe there is a possibility of damaging it but I havn't so far.

 

[WR Moore]

We've had officers lock their pistols up trying to install the slide assembly with the sear release lever up/partially up. The cure is to move the lever down, remove, then reinstall the slide assembly. Our pistols are equipped with the magazine disconnector, which may make a difference as the trigger bar is disengaged with no magazine in the weapon.

Smith will probably fix your weapon free if you screw it up by not following the directions. Why take the chance?

 

[Spotteddog]

What!
And remove all the possible adventure WR?
You know, like possibly having it not be able to fire when the SHTF!

 

[MCVenner]

My wife and I have several M&Ps, all with magazine disconnects, and they cannot be reassembled unless the sear deactivation lever has been lowered.

 

[FullEffect1911]

Perhaps that is the difference, mine does not have the magazine disconnect. It makes sense that there would only be one set of instructions in the manual to apply to all M&P pistols.