M&P22 Takedown Lever Won't Budge

[DaBruins]

Has anyone else had an issue with a very tight takedown lever in their M&P22? I bought it new last month and when I first tried to field strip it for a pre-fire cleaning and lube, it took forever to pull out the lever the required 1/2" to release the slide. It pulls out by hand about 1/16" then stops, and I finally had to resort to using a flat bladed screwdriver wedged between the lever and the frame to pry the lever the rest of the way out. I'm not happy with using this procedure because it's only a matter of time before there's an "oops" and the frame will have a permanent scar! I realize with center fire handguns things like this tend to work themselves out with use, but I don't know if this also applies to rimfire. I've run approx 400 rds through it since the initial cleaning, yet today when I tried to field strip it I ran into the same problem. Any suggestions?

 

[AR-Getsome]

Are you rotating the lever with the slide open or closed? Is there any marks, on the lever when you have it out? I have never had a problem with mine or my wife's.

 

[DaBruins]

Closed, based on what I saw in the owners manual photos.

 

[Hoz]

The only thing i can think of is the guide rod ,the end with the angle,maybe a possible burr . Try field strip and take the guide rod out and take a look at that ,and look at the take down lever also.......just dont loose the little buffer part ..hope that helps.

Dave

 

[formula11]

clean all the grease out of the lever hole pull out the guide rod and use Q-tips to get the grease out.I had a hard time with mine until I got all the grease out when its dry it pulls right out. help