I just bought my first pistol from Academy and it is a M&P9 shield no safety. It was the only one they had in my price range. I thought it was a new gun but after looking on line I found they started making it in 2014. Anyway I get it home and was checking it out and I found it is extremely hard to pull the slide back. Even my twin brother that has several pistols had a hard time pulling it back and said that it was not right. Academy paper work says "all sales final". Do I need to bring it to a gunsmith to get his opinion? Has anyone heard of this?
New M&P9 Shield no saftey hard to rack slide
- Thread starter hotlynx16
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Shoot it. Shields are known for being stiff, especially at first, even for short barreled pistols. (Full size pistols are easier to learn on)
To lock the slide back, insert an empty mag first.
Cornered cat web site is about shooting pistols, by women, for women, but has a lot of good info for anyone on racking techniques and other gun handling.
To lock the slide back, insert an empty mag first.
Cornered cat web site is about shooting pistols, by women, for women, but has a lot of good info for anyone on racking techniques and other gun handling.
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Ranger17
Member
Hi OP. I cant speak on your specific Shield, but yes in general their slides can be difficult to manage. Technique and practice can definitely help, noting for some (like myself) with hand issues SW also offers the EZ models.
I will add the Shield mags can be tough to fully load, many of us will use a Uplula Magloader for keeping that process easy.
Perhaps a trip to a range that has solid staff to help can get their feedback as well. They may be quite informed on Shields.
I will add the Shield mags can be tough to fully load, many of us will use a Uplula Magloader for keeping that process easy.
Perhaps a trip to a range that has solid staff to help can get their feedback as well. They may be quite informed on Shields.
Some people do have difficulty racking the 9mm Shield. 4 years ago I gave one to my GF for her bday and she struggled with it at first. She learned some techniques that helped and it became her favorite pistol for a time. The spring will loosen up a bit after you shoot it some. There are many YouTube videos on the subject of how to rack a pistol.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for the reply's, my brother, told me about the Uplula Magloader and I have one coming.Also I didn't see much oil on the thing either. My wife bought a full sized S&W about 4 years ago and I shot it a few times and never had any issues racking it but it was confiscated by the police when she shot it in the air with a city ambulance sitting out front, she was mad about their service. She passed in 2019. like a dummy I didn't get a receipt for it when they took it. I found out about the EZ model after I bought this but things are scarce around here, ended having to order ammo on line, paid $38 for 50 rounds of 9mm. Academy only had 4- 9mm pistols in stock the one I got an the others were over $550 and up!
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Tradewind36
US Veteran
I bought my Shield 1.0 several years ago and have put several hundred rounds through it and it is still unacceptably hard to rack. Sometimes I can get the slide all the way back and the slide stop will not engage the slide. I have no problem with my M&P full size. I still carry the Shield though. I had planned to shop for the 9EZ or Compact 2.0 in March but that's when the run on the gun stores began and prices went up so I'll wait and deal with it.
For those that have the Shield 2.0, is the slide any easier to rack?
For those that have the Shield 2.0, is the slide any easier to rack?
The Shield 9 is a good pistol, but it's one of the hardest-to-rack semi-autos on the market. What you're experiencing with your new Shield sounds completely normal. It will get a bit easier to rack with use, but not much. It is especially difficult to reinstall the slide when reassembling a new Shield after cleaning it. For that reason, I recommend the Handi-Racker, a simple but very effective tool for racking slides. Here's their website:
Safest way to rack your pistols Handi-Racker
Good luck with your new Shield, and welcome to the Forum!
Safest way to rack your pistols Handi-Racker
Good luck with your new Shield, and welcome to the Forum!
I have a Shield 45 (all Shield 45s are 2.0), and it is way easier to rack than my 1.0 Shield 9. It is also far more accurate. As a result, my Shield 9 has become a safe queen, and the 45 is the one I take to the range or carry when I don't feel like carrying my main EDC, my M&P 40c.
ArachniGrip Slide spider might be of interest to you.
I am getting one for my M&P Bodyguard 380 (small slide).
I sold my 9mm Shield and got a M&P 9mm EZ because of difficulty
in racking the slide (arthritis in hands) and loading mags.
You have a great gun, and as mentioned above, there are many
YouTube videos that show different techniques on racking a slide.
Welcome to the forum!
Be SAFE and Shoot often!
I am getting one for my M&P Bodyguard 380 (small slide).
I sold my 9mm Shield and got a M&P 9mm EZ because of difficulty
in racking the slide (arthritis in hands) and loading mags.
You have a great gun, and as mentioned above, there are many
YouTube videos that show different techniques on racking a slide.
Welcome to the forum!
Be SAFE and Shoot often!
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You probably want to buy ammo for the range, and ammo for self defense. $38 for 50 rounds of Speer gold dot is ok ( I guess these days it is).
But for practicing, look for something like CCI Blazer 115 gr. Or for something with a little more pep what I use is Winchester Nato 124 gr. Both are much cheaper than $38.
You can, and probably should shoot some of the expensive stuff to see how your gun reacts, but that gets expensive fast. SO for general practice get something more reasonably priced. Try a place like TargetsportsUSA for online ammo.
kye4some
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Smith & Wesson(R) Shield 9mm & 40 cal Guide Rod by Stainless Steel Guide Rods • Stainless Steel Guide Rods
It's a game changer, reduced the rack by 40% and it's a superior product.
It's a game changer, reduced the rack by 40% and it's a superior product.
okiegtrider
Member
Solid post right there. Never seen that site before today. The site may have a target audience of women, but it has lots of good info there for everyone. Thanks OKFC05.
OP, start here:
Rack the Slide | Cornered Cat
AppStFan
Member
You may want to look at the TacRack slide racker. It replaces the slide end cap. I have one on my Glock 43 and really like it. I will probably be ordering one for my Shield as well.
Shooting Padre
US Veteran
Same issue here. My hands have become super sensitive as I get older, it becomes very painful for certain tasks. My Shield Compact was a struggle I became tired of, good gun, bad hands. I traded it for the Shield EZ and life has been good since. I know the ammo load is smaller but it is a pleasure to operate.
If you are pulling on the slide, you are doing it wrong. As others have stated, push with your strong hand, while holding the slide with your weak hand. My wife had issues until she learned the proper technique, and now she can rack any gun given to her. She is a tiny 5' 3" Thai woman.
Here is a video that shows the proper technique.
An Easier Way to Rack the Slide on a Gun - YouTube
Here is a video that shows the proper technique.
An Easier Way to Rack the Slide on a Gun - YouTube
Tradewind36
US Veteran
Ordered it and received it yesterday, it is somewhat easier to rack, I need to get it to the range and put a few rounds through the Shield.
Doug M.
Member
Read the owner's manual. Clean and lube the pistol as directed (it does not take much lube). Run about 500 rounds of ball through it. Clean and lube it again. Run at least 200 rounds of carry ammo through it. Clean and lube again. I bet it will be a lot easier to handle after that.
