M&P shield 9 mm slide release help

[1coolcat]

Got a new M&P shield 9mm.. it is impossible for me to pull the slide back and use the slide release to let the slide loose, with out first pulling back on the slide to relieve some of the tension..is this normal..does the gun just need broke in more..is there a fix for this..
Thank you for any insight in advance guys.

 

[PHolster]

Got a new M&P shield 9mm.. it is impossible for me to pull the slide back and use the slide release to let the slide loose, with out first pulling back on the slide to relieve some of the tension..is this normal..does the gun just need broke in more..is there a fix for this..
Thank you for any insight in advance guys.

It is not a slide release, it is designed to operate by pulling back on the slide, and letting go. No need to touch the slide lock lever, just pull back on the slide, and let go. This is how the manual instructs you to use it.

It can be used as a release, but that is not how it was intended to be used. As you use it, it will loosen up. I simply slingshot the slide as intended.

 

[1coolcat]

Thank you..I posted the question for my son..he is the actual owner of the gun..

 

[epj]

If the magazine is empty it will need to be dropped before doing this.

 

[Ranger17]

yep another "yes" to slingshot the slide on a Shield vs trying to use the slide stop to release it. Works much better.

 

[InsideWaist]

The other responses are correct. I just looked in the manual and it's technically called a "Slide Stop", not a slide release. So, it is not like a 1911 or something with a true slide release button.

 

[JVSIII]

I finally got a shield 9, same issue out of the box. After 100 rounds or so, it works fine, still a little stiff, but doable.

I find it amazing how many people here know the guys that designed these pistols and know exactly what parts are and are not designed to do.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[turbo38gn]

I finally got a shield 9, same issue out of the box. After 100 rounds or so, it works fine, still a little stiff, but doable.

I find it amazing how many people here know the guys that designed these pistols and know exactly what parts are and are not designed to do. ��

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

We become really smart when we read the instruction manual..

and oh ya .... I live 10 minutes from S&W factory... I do know lots of people working there.. and that retired from there..

 

[PHolster]

I finally got a shield 9, same issue out of the box. After 100 rounds or so, it works fine, still a little stiff, but doable.

I find it amazing how many people here know the guys that designed these pistols and know exactly what parts are and are not designed to do.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I find it amazing that people don't read the manual.

 

[swsig]

Here is a recent thread from the Forum that also addresses this topic:

Anyone offer a larger slidelock lever?

 

[1coolcat]

ah haaaaaa!..thanks SWSIG for the video link.. perfect..

 

[jim46ok]

I find it amazing that people don't read the manual.

"Manual?...Manual? We don't need no stinkin' Manual.."

 

[striker56]

Lock the slide back and let it sit for a couple of days. I thought something was wrong with my gun when I couldn't get the slide to lock open. Same deal with the magazines, load them and let them sit for a while.

 

[Tomac]

I'm old-school and in my book it's a slide release, grammar be d@mned (if it's not a slide release, why did they put serrations on it? ).

I own 4 9mm Shields and all it took was a few strokes w/an emery board to lightly polish the slide release where it contacts the slide, and now they're all fully functional.

Tomac

 

[mustangman]

I'm old-school and in my book it's a slide release, grammar be d@mned (if it's not a slide release, why did they put serrations on it? ).

I own 4 9mm Shields and all it took was a few strokes w/an emery board to lightly polish the slide release where it contacts the slide, and now they're all fully functional.

Tomac

Good question.
Maybe the serrations are there to make it easier to push up to lock the slide back, for takedown, and such.

 

[martybee]

Good question.
Maybe the serrations are there to make it easier to push up to lock the slide back, for takedown, and such.

Or; Maybe just to confuse us Old boys from the Old school!

 

[CB3]

And not to confuse you, but following correct terminology and the manual, that button you push to release the magazine is the “magazine release”. Makes sense right? Don’t for a moment think it is also (first, really) a magazine stop.

Mechanical devices on pistols cannot possibly have two functions!

You must use the popular terminology and limit functions of your pistol to be approved by some other users! Their approval is much more important than your desire to use your own pistol the way it was actually designed and is capable of being used!

Sarcasm off.

Every pistol I have ever owned (dozens) with external slide stops has the capability to also release the slide with finger pressure. Most came from the factory with a sharp, stamped edge on the slide stop where it engages the slide. I simply adjust the slide stop to use also as a release.

It is simple to do. Remove your slide. Raise the slide stop lever. With some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper, polish the upper sharp edge of the lever that engages the slide. Do a little at a time and keep trying it with the slide on. When it is just a little hard to release with your finger, stop. Let the natural polishing of use finish the job over a few dozen more cycles. You will not ruin anything. Your slide stop will work as a release also.

You will note through ubiquitous YouTube videos that almost no one who is in a hurry to close a slide uses the slow and cumbersome overhand or slingshot methods to close a locked back slide. They use the slide stop/release.

To claim that an external slide stop cannot or should not be used as a release is incorrect. There is nothing wrong with doing it any way you want that works, but denying that the lever is capable of two functions is ignorance. It could not function as a release if it was not designed that way.

The factory doesn’t take the time ($$) to adjust mass manufactured slide stops to release. They promote the alternate, slower method only because it is simple to explain and does work. Kahrs actually say to use the lever as a release. Custom guns have adjusted slide releases/stops.

Capability and choice are wonderful things. Adjusting a slide stop to release in no way diminishes any other method for closing a locked slide, but it does provide viable alternatives to users who are willing to do a tiny, little bit of extra work.