M&P Shield Issues?

[Malichi8]

Hey Guys,

I am new to Smith and Wesson and the M&P line , as an owner of many Glocks I am having some issues with this gun and I just need to know if these are the guns issues or if I am missing something.

1. Upon reassembly of the gun and putting the slide back on the frame I notice that the slide stop is not catching the slide to enable me to re-engage the take down lever. It is not popping up automatically and it also is not engaging when I apply force to the slide stop. It is as if the slide is not going far enough back. It seem like the take down lever is getting in the way of the slide moving completely rearward- Am I missing something?

Once I finally got the gun back together and started practicing reloads I noticed

2. Once I locked the slide back, exchanged empty mag and then pulled backwards on the slide (to rack the slide), the slide stop would not dis-engage. The gun would allow me to apply a crazy amount of pressure to the slide stop and dis-engage but it would not do it just by racking the slide. - Am I missing something?

Thanks 4 your help

 

[Rastoff]

I have read that the Shield recoil spring has caused some issues by not sitting in its spot correctly. Try taking your gun down and rotating the recoil spring until the end of the spring is down.

That doesn't make sense. Let me see if I can find the picture...

Found one:

See the end of the coil right next to the " mark in top red number? Try orienting your spring this way and see if it helps. I don't own a Shield, this is just a thought.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

1. Upon reassembly of the gun and putting the slide back on the frame I notice that the slide stop is not catching the slide to enable me to re-engage the take down lever. It is not popping up automatically and it also is not engaging when I apply force to the slide stop. It is as if the slide is not going far enough back. It seem like the take down lever is getting in the way of the slide moving completely rearward- Am I missing something?

Once I finally got the gun back together and started practicing reloads I noticed

2. Once I locked the slide back, exchanged empty mag and then pulled backwards on the slide (to rack the slide), the slide stop would not dis-engage. The gun would allow me to apply a crazy amount of pressure to the slide stop and dis-engage but it would not do it just by racking the slide. - Am I missing something?

Thanks 4 your help

1. The Slide Stop needs to be manually moved up to engage the slide. The Slide Stop will not engage with no magazine in the gun, and the magazine needs to be empty.

2. Are you inserting a loaded or empty mag? The slide will not Sling Shot using a empty mag because the Slide Stop will not disengage with no rounds loaded into the mag.

 

[Jaysq]

There was quite a long thread on the slide lock problem that you might find helpful. http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/293449-ultra-tight-recoil-spring-shield.html

Most likely your problem is the recoil spring is not properly seated. Make sure it is all the way down. Hold it up to eye level and look at the slide from the side to make sure the spring is horizontal with the slide and then make sure it is centered in the slide.

As to the other problem, Lee covered that if you are working with empty mags.

 

[Malichi8]

Thanks for the help, this seems to address both issues. Do all S&W springs need to be place so "specifically?

 

[edslow]

All of the above are correct also they are a very tight gun. Took me about 400 rounds an it didn't loosen up much but it is manageable. The wife an I do like it.

 

[Dino1]

I believe the orientation of the spring is addressed in the manual. But we are men and we don't need no stinkin manuals!!! But if we have to have manuals put lots of pictures in it, and leave the fine print out.

 

[PeterWD]

M&P shield Issues

1. The Slide Stop needs to be manually moved up to engage the slide. The Slide Stop will not engage with no magazine in the gun, and the magazine needs to be empty.

2. Are you inserting a loaded or empty mag? The slide will not Sling Shot using a empty mag because the Slide Stop will not disengage with no rounds loaded into the mag.

I'm new to the Shield, too, just got the 9 today. I must be missing something as my slide stop will engage with no mag but, yes, it will not disengage via sling shot with no rounds loaded in the mag. Except for shooting low, which I blame on me and the Mass. heavy trigger pull standard, I had no problems with the 150 rounds through it today.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I'm new to the Shield, too, just got the 9 today. I must be missing something as my slide stop will engage with no mag

I don't understand how that is happening because it is the follower in the mag that activates the Slide Stop to engage the slide. Just verified it with my 9c & 45c. I had to manually move the Slide Stop up to lock open the slide on both guns or else they would not stay open.

 

[Rastoff]

Thanks for the help, this seems to address both issues. Do all S&W springs need to be place so "specifically?

No, my .40 and .45 do not. Like it was said, the Shield is a small gun and space is tight. I think this is an area they need to improve upon a little.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I have read that the Shield recoil spring has caused some issues by not sitting in its spot correctly. Try taking your gun down and rotating the recoil spring until the end of the spring is down.

I don't own a Shield, this is just a thought.

Just curious how you can give advice on a gun you do not own??

If you read page 24 of the Shield Manual it states:

With the bottom of the slide turned up, replace the barrel in the
slide so the muzzle is flush with the end of the slide and the
barrel lug is turned up away from the ejection port (FIGURE 31).
Next, insert the recoil spring assembly into the slide (muzzle
end) and tip the rear of the spring into the notch on the barrel
lug (FIGURE 32). Make sure it is properly centered
(FIGURES 33 through 36).

It says nothing about aligning the coils or manipulating it in anyway...just so that it is seated properly at the muzzle end and that is centered in the rear notch.

The spring had nothing to do with the OP's original complaint.

 

[TahoeDust]

Just curious how you can give advice on a gun you do not own??

If you read page 24 of the Shield Manual it states:

With the bottom of the slide turned up, replace the barrel in the
slide so the muzzle is flush with the end of the slide and the
barrel lug is turned up away from the ejection port (FIGURE 31).
Next, insert the recoil spring assembly into the slide (muzzle
end) and tip the rear of the spring into the notch on the barrel
lug (FIGURE 32). Make sure it is properly centered
(FIGURES 33 through 36).

It says nothing about aligning the coils or manipulating it in anyway...just so that it is seated properly at the muzzle end and that is centered in the rear notch.

The spring had nothing to do with the OP's original complaint.

How can he give advice on a gun he doesn't own? Probably because he has read about this exact issue on this forum multiple times and is knowledgeable on the subject. Believe it or not, the spring orientation actually does appear play a roll in some cases in which an owner complains about not being able to pull the slide back far enough to engage the slide lock.

Take a look at this thread. Particularly posts 38 & 39.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/293449-ultra-tight-recoil-spring-shield.html


Rastoff's advice is dead on.

 

[Texas40]

I have 4 S&W semi auto pistols two of which are shields. I have stripped them all many times and not once in any of them has the positioning of the spring had any effect on the reassembly or function of the pistols. I have not orientated any of them in any particular way. I just remove it and reinstall it and it works each and every time.

 

[vernSL]

I've had problems putting my slide back on too and thought it was my recoil spring assembly. S&W sent me a new one, and the brand new one does the same thing. So I think its just the fact that everything is so tight on the inside.

 

[edslow]

I believe the orientation of the spring is addressed in the manual. But we are men and we don't need no stinkin manuals!!! But if we have to have manuals put lots of pictures in it, and leave the fine print out.

+1 lol couldn't agree more

 

[Jaysq]

I'm new to the Shield, too, just got the 9 today. I must be missing something as my slide stop will engage with no mag

Does it engage by itself when you rack the slide or are you manually engaging it, when you have no mag? I can manually engage mine but it will not lock itself if I rack the slide with no mag.

 

[jeffnles1]

Small, thin and fairly light weight slide (as compared to full size service pistols) = pretty heavy and stiff recoil spring.

Mine was tight the first couple times I took it apart but it is better now. I'm not sure if it is really easier or I just know what to expect when pulling the slide back. It's not any worse than my 4" barrel 1911 other than the thin slide and frame give less to hold onto. Benefit in racking slide on the Shield vs the 1911 is one doesn't have to overcome the hammer spring and the recoil spring.

 

[Rastoff]

Just curious how you can give advice on a gun you do not own??

TahoDust already answered this for me, but I figured I'd answer it directly.

All I did was offer a suggestion based on what I've read here. If it works, fine. If it doesn't work, don't do it. It cost nothing. If you look at post #5 you'll see that it seemed to help even though I don't own the gun.

All I ever want to do here is help. If that help comes in the form of me sharing something I've read, how is that a bad thing?