M&P Shield: Removing the Slide.

[dkleiner]

Empty mag in or out-won't lock. I'm going to go back to my dealer tomorrow.

I wonder if it's too late to return it and go with the Walther PPS.

Sigh...

 

[mrsentraser]

I had issues with my 9C. What I found works best is pulling the slide back and locking it, then flipping the release tab forward. Release the slide lock, pull the trigger (make sure it's clear) and the slide will release off the gun. I've done it 4 times now and it's worked every time.

 

[webfarmer]

I had issues with my 9C. What I found works best is pulling the slide back and locking it, then flipping the release tab forward. Release the slide lock, pull the trigger (make sure it's clear) and the slide will release off the gun. I've done it 4 times now and it's worked every time.

He can't get it to lock open - that's the problem.

 

[webfarmer]

Empty mag in or out-won't lock. I'm going to go back to my dealer tomorrow.

I wondered if it's too late to return it and go with the Walther PPS.

Sigh...

You have a problem if it won't lock open on an empty mag. Sorry, maybe somebody else has an answer. It really is a great carry pistol - hope you don't abandon ship too quickly

 

[dkleiner]

I'll see what the dealer says tomorrow.

I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[OldCat]

You have a problem if it won't lock open on an empty mag. Sorry, maybe somebody else has an answer. It really is a great carry pistol - hope you don't abandon ship too quickly

I agree, it is a great shooting concealable gun. I liked it from the very first shot when I hit dead bull-eye at 10 yards. (OK maybe off a wee bit).

 

[bmb96mus]

Empty mag in or out-won't lock. I'm going to go back to my dealer tomorrow.

I wonder if it's too late to return it and go with the Walther PPS.

Sigh...

Just keep a mag in and keep cycling the slide back. I'm sure it just needs to break in. Mine wouldn't lock either. I just sat down watched some tv and kept sliding it back and forth for awhile. Loosened up eventually

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[OldCat]

Just keep a mag in and keep cycling the slide back. I'm sure it just needs to break in. Mine wouldn't lock either. I just sat down watched some tv and kept sliding it back and forth for awhile. Loosened up eventually

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Hmmm Come to think of it that's what I ended up doing. That and about 100 rounds.

 

[rfreyta]

Same here, got so frustrated I thought about ditching it. I left it locked back for 4 days, now have 150 rounds through it and as everyone says it gets better. This gun is so good it's worth the pain. All I had to compare it with was my Glock 19 which needed no break-in at all. This seems to be almost a universal issue.


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[FiReBReTHa]

ok, there is a weird bell curve to the spring's rate. had quite a few friends with this issue.

Throw in a mag (empty), any, I have yet to have this not work. Left hand grip the slide, palm over the rear sights. Bring it in to the center of your belly/sternum. With your right hand tight on the grip, punch your right hand forward. Its a much stronger method than "pulling" the slide back.

Slide locks back, rotate the slide release. Push down yellow sear bar with a pen/screwdriver and good to go.

after break in you will not have to fight it as hard.

 

[rusty4269]

The reason it won't lock is the slide isn't going back far enough. Mine does the same thing. I don't think the spring is the cause of it contrary to popular belief. It feels like the slide stops against something. The spring is stiff but this doesn't feel like spring tension. If you work with it enough it'll eventually side back far enough to lock open. This does get better with use. Once you get it apart make sure the spring is lined up. That helps a little.


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[rusty4269]

Also if you don't want to push the sear pin down, you can, after you rotate the slide release down, unlock the side then pull the trigger and the slide will come right off.


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[bmb96mus]

The reason it won't lock is the slide isn't going back far enough. Mine does the same thing. I don't think the spring is the cause of it contrary to popular belief. It feels like the slide stops against something. The spring is stiff but this doesn't feel like spring tension. If you work with it enough it'll eventually side back far enough to lock open. This does get better with use. Once you get it apart make sure the spring is lined up. That helps a little.


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I thought the same thing. But with it getting better and easier it has to be the spring. Can't think of any other cause if it does improve over time

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[alanbmx]

The reason it won't lock is the slide isn't going back far enough. Mine does the same thing. I don't think the spring is the cause of it contrary to popular belief. It feels like the slide stops against something. The spring is stiff but this doesn't feel like spring tension. If you work with it enough it'll eventually side back far enough to lock open. This does get better with use. Once you get it apart make sure the spring is lined up. That helps a little.


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^^^ exactly what he said, mine is very finicky on the spring being lined up perfect. The design of the spring is different from my FS45 and 9mm. The spring to barrel does not have a distinct home, make sure it is centered. After my first 400 rounds without a hiccup I cleaned it and after reassembly I could not get the slide to lock and could not remove the slide. Finally after about 15 minutes of frustration I got the slide removed! I removed the spring and barrel, put it back together and now it works fine.
On mine the slide lock physically would not move up no matter how far back the slide was. I have no idea what the problem was, but after ensuring the spring was centered it works



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[speedyquad]

both of mine are harder than hades to get to lock open...like said before you need to really force the slide all the way back to get it to lock open...it is getting easier though...

 

[sarasdad]

Hello, all:

After receiving great advice advice here, I purchased an M&P Shield today. I wanted to clean it tonight, but I cannot remove the slide. I am pulling back on the slide and simultaneously attempting to push up the slide lever on the left side of the gun. The slide lever will not move upward.

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you.

I have been following this thread and it got me to thinking. I don't think it is mentioned in the manual, but if I try to rack the slide with the safety OFF (down position) the slide won't go back far enough to use the slide lock. With the safety ON (up position), no problem. I was frustrated, when I got my Shield, and by process of elimination figured it out. Just my opinion.

 

[OldCat]

The position of the safety has no bearing on the slide's motion. Up or down it doesn't interfere. Which is why you don't see it mentioned in the manual.

 

[jehu1290]

Empty mag in or out-won't lock. I'm going to go back to my dealer tomorrow.

I wonder if it's too late to return it and go with the Walther PPS.

Sigh...

The shield is a very good gun, but there is nothing wrong with owning one of a different brand. My wife returned hers because we (rightly) believe no one should have to wrestle with their weapon in order to get it to work properly. Come to find out it was defective. She went with a Springfield DXS and is very happy she did. We have been to the range twice with it now and it is every bit as accurate as the shield. We are still S&W fans, but like her, you have to go with what works best for you.

 

[dkleiner]

I am the OP, and I am a smacked ***. I took the gun back to my dealer this afternoon. On his first try, he racked it and locked the slide in place.

All you have to do is hold the gun sideways with your right hand. Grip the slide with your left hand and push it back. Push it all the way back, lift the slide just a bit, and push the slide lever up with your right thumb. Easy.

I brought it home, racked it, slid the slide off and went about cleaning and lubing it. Now that I'm keeping it, I'll register it.

I feel like the boy who cried wolf!

 

[OldCat]

I am the OP, and I am a smacked ***. I took the gun back to my dealer this afternoon. On his first try, he racked it and locked the slide in place.

All you have to do is hold the gun sideways with your right hand. Grip the slide with your left hand and push it back. Push it all the way back, lift the slide just a bit, and push the slide lever up with your right thumb. Easy.

I brought it home, racked it, slid the slide off and went about cleaning and lubing it. Now that I'm keeping it, I'll register it.

I feel like the boy who cried wolf!

Don't feel too bad, you have a lot of company. I just happen to have been around firearms since the 1960s so I've learned to stay calm and reread the manual. Then read it again.

Glad to see that you solved the problem (as I figured you would). Now get that puppy to the range and make some noise. BTW you will need to learn how to squeeze the trigger properly to get a tight group. The gun can do it so the rest is all up to you.