Riding the Shield slide release?

[329]

My second Shield, a 4 inch Performance Center Shield Plus is giving me issues with not locking back on the last shot, I know that my right thumb touching the slide release is the issue. When I say " touching" I mean just that. Any contact with any oar of my hand seems to cause the failure. I never had this issue with my old shield or any other pistol. I know I can change my grip , but I have worked on the grip and trigger control and don't want to change things for one pistol…I won't. Are there any stiffer springs or fixes that can fix the issue? Thanks!

 

[RobzGuns]

Been there... Had that problem. The Shield is my only pistol that my thumbs are long enough to reach the Slide Lock.

If there were stiffer Slide Lock springs out there, it wouldn't help the problem, as the spring holds the lever down and you need something to hold it up.

Unfortunately, modifying your grip, or filing some millimeters off the button may be the only fix.

 

[sawman556]

Change grip or don't worry about it not locking back. Can't see any other way barring removing the tab.

 

[Saudade]

I have a few handguns where i have that problem. It really gets bad if, at the range, I shoot a 1911 first since I ride the safety. Then switching over to my M&P (or PPQ or even one of my Sigs), I have my thumb up against the slide and always seem to bump the lock. Sometimes it locks with ammo left, sometimes fails to lock on last round.

So instead of holding my strong side thumb along the slide, I place the tip on the knuckle of my other thumb. That seems to keep it out of the way. I also now shoot my 1911s last.

 

[329]

I have a few handguns where i have that problem. It really gets bad if, at the range, I shoot a 1911 first since I ride the safety. Then switching over to my M&P (or PPQ or even one of my Sigs), I have my thumb up against the slide and always seem to bump the lock. Sometimes it locks with ammo left, sometimes fails to lock on last round.

So instead of holding my strong side thumb along the slide, I place the tip on the knuckle of my other thumb. That seems to keep it out of the way. I also now shoot my 1911s last.

I too shoot my 1911s with my thumb on the safety. I like shooting the 1911 that way and want to use the same grip for all my pistols. The confounding thing is that I have never had that issue with my 2.0 shield, glocks etc. This gun would be my carry gun but I don't have confidence that I would remember what gun I am shooting in a stressful situation. I like the gun a lot and shoot it well but I don't know if I can carry it. I may have to let it go if I cannot find a fix. If it comes down to changing my 1911 grip or selling the shield… we'll goodby shield. Thanks for all the ideas and advice. Glad to know that it is not just me.

 

[CouchPotato]

Springfield XDMs give me that problem really bad. Thankfully for me, the Shield does not.

Just practice resting your strong hand thumb on your support hand, completely off of the gun. Otherwise, and I know it may be counter intuitive, but try a tighter squeeze with your strong hand and see where your thumb lands. At minimum, you'll control recoil better and get quicker follow up shots.

 

[ChillyDog]

Same deal with my 4" Shield, had to modify my grip.

 

[LVSteve]

The various positions of slide locks on different guns are the best excuse for a thumbs done hold I've seen so far.