Removing Frame Tool?

[motorcyclejoe]

Just picked up my 9mm M&P yesterday. I like the fit and finish. The thumb safety also has a nice postive click - unlike the 22 M&P. Yes the trigger feels gritty - but I'm going to see if that improves over time before considering any trigger work.

On question. I can't rotate the frame tool, 1/4 turn, so I can change the grip. I can't move it by hand and don't want to put a tool on it, unless that's what is required. Any guidance?

Thanks

 

[SteveFi]

they are pretty tough at first - i was able to turn mine by hand then use about a half inch wood dowel to get it the rest of the way - i wouldn't use pliers unless you wrap the jaws well in tape & maybe use a rag too but keep trying to turn it by hand

 

[flat_topp]

Use the flat edge of your magazine base plate as a tool to turn it. Line up the two flat edges and give it a twist.

 

[D Binx]

I ended up eventually breaking the little plastic tab on the tool trying to get it out so I ordered another one for a couple dollars and just leave that one in the gun and use the old one if I really need it.

 

[motorcyclejoe]

Thanks much. I'll keep working on it.

 

[MSG Glenn]

I wound up wrapping a vice grip with lots of cloth & tape to use to turn the tool at first. Even so I put marks on it & it was still almost impossible to start it turning. The marks were eliminated by a little sanding & now I can turn it by hand.

 

[Saudade]

My FS 9 was a bear to get out, not just the turning but the pulling to remove it. It did loosen up a bit. I only did it about a dozen times or so swapping out backstraps to see what felt better.

Then I got my 9c. I just couldn't get enough leverage to twist it. So took a piece of scrap wood (a 3" 1x2) and chiseled out a small slot like a mortise. Worked just fine.

Now that the grips are "dailed in", I don't think I will ever take them out again.

 

[Hodgin]

The tool on my 9c was real tough to turn but got much easier after a few removals.

 

[Bkreutz]

1. Remove magazine
2. Place butt of pistol against the edge of a counter with the flat part of the tool resting on the counter top.
3. Twist pistol 90 degrees.
4. Lay pistol flat on counter with butt hanging over edge (that sounds bad doesn't it? )
5. Push pistol away from the edge.

(works for me on new pistols, after a while they loosen up.

 

[BobC357]

You don't need to use that tool. I used pliars to get mine out. Put it back once I saw it was just a round stick thingy. Now I just use a miniature screwdriver and don't even mess with that tool anymore.

 

[UncaGrunny]

I also only take mine off for changing the backstrap, & in future for maybe cleaning under the edges or the backstrap if things get dirty; there's really nothing special about it as a 'tool'. A metal dowel with a flat-cut tip.

They do get easier with time, though.

 

[Rastoff]

You don't need to use that tool.

You do need to remove it if you want to change out grips.

 

[motorcyclejoe]

Tried the table appraoch, sound engineering, and it should have worked - but it would not budge. I sent a email to S&W support. Think I'm going to wait until they reply. Maybe a little hair dryer heat or WD-40 will help?

Just got back from the range. I am very pleased with the M&P. It feels great and seems to be very accurate. Shot 50 rounds without incident. The trigger is gritty, but it doesn't bother me at all. The recoil is easy to handle and it just feels like a quality firearm. I suppose I will get more particular about the trigger afer I figure out what I'm doing, but for now I'm very satisfied. Thanks for all the help from this forum getting this far.

 

[Dsorgnzd]

Mine was hard to remove at first, too. I took it out and sprayed some silicone spray on it before replacing it, and that helped a lot.

 

[NCW Ray]

You don't need to use that tool. I used pliars to get mine out. Put it back once I saw it was just a round stick thingy. Now I just use a miniature screwdriver and don't even mess with that tool anymore.

Just picked up my 9mm M&P yesterday. I like the fit and finish. The thumb safety also has a nice postive click - unlike the 22 M&P. Yes the trigger feels gritty - but I'm going to see if that improves over time before considering any trigger work.

On question. I can't rotate the frame tool, 1/4 turn, so I can change the grip. I can't move it by hand and don't want to put a tool on it, unless that's what is required. Any guidance?

Thanks

I don't think using miniature screwdriver will help him in changing the grip panel.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Tool not required. Put on some heavy gloves or something so the polymer is not so rough on your hands, and put some "elbow grease" on it and it will turn.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I just got a new 45c and mine was tighter than my 9c. I removed the mag and put some light weight gun oil on the tool tab...look up the magwell with a flashlight and you can see it. I let it sit for awhile and then I was able to remove the tool.

I did break the tab on my 9c...called S&W CS and they mailed me a new one FREE!

 

[metricmonkeywrench]

Harder to explain than to do;
1. Lay the magazine flat across the grip with the holes side of the magazine against the tool
2. Place thumb on on the tool and squeeze the magazine and twist 90 deg
3. Place the nose (round side) of the magazine under the tool like a prybar and pull on the body levering against the frame. For some extra push for a stubborn one use your other thumb on the opposite side.
They normally pop right out

 

[motorcyclejoe]

Progress - finally got the tool to rotate 1/4 turn. Used small needle nose locking pliers, with the jaws wrapped in several layers of masking tape. Turn very slowly, both directions, gradually increasing force. Finally it clicked over 1/4 turn in one of the directions. Next challenge, getting it out. Tried prying with the back of a butter knife, wrapping in string and pulling out, my gloved hand - no success. Probably will take another day of several attempts. Life is good....

 

[Llando88]

Good luck. I think the hair dryer / heat could help? Mine was pretty tight, but loosened enough now I can remove it without the Jaws of Life.