M&P Shield 9 Take down lever stuck during reassembly

[nick k]

Hi everyone, I just purchased a new shield 9 and this is my first time taking it apart to clean before I go out to shoot. I was able to disassemble the pistol just fine, but when I go to put it back together, I cant get the takedown lever to move at all. It is stuck in the down position. It doesn't matter if I have the slide off or on, sear lever up or down, or move the trigger. I have noticed a lot of posts about it being stuck on disassembly, but not reassembly. I'm not sure what else to try. Did I miss something? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[serger]

Take the slide off and see if you can rotate the lever.
Then put it in the take down position.

If that works then put the slide on and slide it all the
way back and engage the slide release. Then rotate
the takedown lever . it should rotate. If it does then
release the slide release. .

 

[nick k]

It doesn't move at all. It is stuck in the down position already.

 

[yep380]

The takedown lever should rotate freely with the slide off. You can even remove and replace it (it's keyed).

With the slide off, get the lever moving somehow. Not sure what's holding yours, and you'll have to be the judge as far as forcing movement, but it should move. If it really feels stuck and you feel you've applied enough pressure, a call to S&W may be in order.

Once you get it free, put it down, install the slide and lock the slide to the rear. Move the lever to the up position and release the slide.

 

[nick k]

Yep380,

You said the take down lever is keyed and can be removed. Does it pull straight out if in the down position? Do I need to remove anything before I try and remove it?

 

[yep380]

Yep380,

You said the take down lever is keyed and can be removed. Does it pull straight out if in the down position? Do I need to remove anything before I try and remove it?

With the slide off, I can rotate the take down lever up, past where it sits when it's normally closed. It can then be removed out the left side of the gun. It is reinserted the same way.

 

[ontargetagain]

Are you pushing the slide all the way back and locking it back before you try to rotate the the lever?
Karl

 

[nick k]

Ok. I wont try and pull it out right now. That is good to know though. Thanks

 

[nick k]

Right now I dont have the slide on. I can put the slide on, but I cant move the takedown lever to lock in back on. The takedown lever is stuck in the down position.

 

[nick k]

I have also tried moving the slide stop and the safety out of desperation. Nothing has helped yet.

 

[yep380]

EDIT: The slide HAS TO BE LOCKED BACK before the take down lever can be rotated UP when reassembling.

Can you confirm that you've locked the slide back prior to attempting to rotate the lever?

Sorry - but without being there, asking for confirmation is the only way to be clear.

 

[nick k]

No worries, I understand. When I disassembled, I locked the slide back, moved the sear lever, and moved the takedown lever down. Everything came apart just fine. After I cleaned everything, I went to reassemble and that is when I noticed my takedown lever was stuck. Not sure if there is a way to disassemble that area to figure it out.

 

[rwsmith]

Did you....

Did you fully pull the trigger? That MAY allow disassembly so you can get things right. Um, don't it with any bullets in it.

 

[yep380]

No worries, I understand. When I disassembled, I locked the slide back, moved the sear lever, and moved the takedown lever down. Everything came apart just fine. After I cleaned everything, I went to reassemble and that is when I noticed my takedown lever was stuck. Not sure if there is a way to disassemble that area to figure it out.

I hate the sear lever, lol.

Anyway, you've put the slide back on and locked it back and now can't move the take down lever back to position?

Also, with the slide off, can you move the take down lever at all?

 

[nick k]

The slide is not on the frame. Im not able to get it to lock on. Yes, I have fully pulled the trigger. Have tried that along with the slide lock, sear lever, and safety in all different combinations. I cant get any movement at all on the takedown lever. I havent hit it with a punch and hammer yet, but I have pushed on it enough that my thumbs are not very happy with me right now.

 

[nick k]

Yes, I have tried putting the slide back on, and no, I still cant get it to move. And I agree, I dont like that sear lever also. Not sure who's bright idea that was....

 

[yep380]

Hmmmm.... well, you got me stumped, sorry man, wish I was more help.

I wouldn't force it any more than thumb power either.

I'm thinking a call to S&W in the morning is in order.

 

[nick k]

Sorry, I Forgot to answer your second question. With the slide off, I have absolutely no ability to move the takedown lever. Its stuck in the down position

 

[nick k]

Sounds good. I'll give that a try. Thanks for trying to help. I appreciate it

 

[LAA]

Look to see, if by chance, it's hitting on the trigger pin, which should be flush with the left side of the pistol. Normally, the takedown lever doesn't quite move far enough, for the pin to push out at all. The takedown lever would be pulled out, before removing the pin. If so, push the pin back in.

edit: the trigger pin should be flush with both sides of the pistol. When the takedown lever is up, it captures this pin.