Just got my MP40 shield a few days ago and I am having a really hard time releasing the slide stop. I get that it's a new gun and my Sig was hard at first but after a few times it got easier. So far that is not the case with my shield. I have to use both hands sometimes to release it. Anyone else? Any suggestions?
S&W MP40 shield. Slide stop issue
- Thread starter JG_in_va
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modraker
Member
I had the same problem when I first got my Shield 40. I couldn't even lock the slide manually. After about 200 rounds, it got easier. Now, I'm at the 400 round count and it's no longer a problem. As 'thanselm' indicated, it would also be better if you treat it as a slide lock rather than a slide release.
Rastoff
US Veteran
The Shield is really small. This means that everything is closer and tighter than other guns. It will take a few manipulations to get everything working as smoothly as you'd like.
Keep working it with no magazine in the gun. It will get better.
Yes, it's a more positive technique to sling shot the slide, but it should work with the slide stop. So, give it a little time.
Keep working it with no magazine in the gun. It will get better.
Yes, it's a more positive technique to sling shot the slide, but it should work with the slide stop. So, give it a little time.
DocSunShine
Member
sling shot
While I waited many weeks for my Shield, I read every thread posted about them. That's when I learned S&W intends for that little part to be a Stop only and not a Release. I had to treated them all as slide releases on my other pistols, but I've been a slingslotter since day one with my Shield.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
robkarrob
Member
I would think that if you round the top edge of the stop a little, and polish the surfaces it would release easier. It is called a slide stop, and not a slide release. The lever is small and it hard to put enough pressure on it to release with just thumb pressure.
Bob
Bob
TahoeDust
Member
Think the .40 shield is tough, try a new XDs .45. It is a bear.
SmurfHunter
Member
Just work it. Mine is great now
I purchased my Shield .40 almost two months ago, and I haven't had any issue with the slide lock other than it keeps getting surface rust on it. When I carry it, which is not very often, it is in a holster or a cargo pocket. When I get home each night and put the gun up, I wipe it down with either Barricade by Birchwood Casey or a little of Hoppe's Elite Oil. Lo and behold every week or so, here I am cleaning surface rust off of it. Should i contact Smith and Wesson? Is there anything they can do that would not require me sending the gun off? Sorry to hijack the thread.
Jyezahn
US Veteran
So, you read this directly from Smith & Wesson, right?
That means that page 18 of the owner's manual is wrong:
WARNING: UPON FIRING THE PISTOL OR RELEASING
THE SLIDE FROM THE SLIDE STOP, THE SLIDE MOVES
REARWARD OR FORWARD WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE
AND SPEED. TO AVOID INJURY, BE SURE NO PART OF YOUR
BODY IS IN THE PATH OF THE SLIDE'S TRAVEL.
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TahoeDust
Member
Pics or it didn't happen.
You can tell where I've cleaned the slide lock a few times, and it is now shiny instead of black like the rest of the controls.
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hpfenning
Member
So, you read this directly from Smith & Wesson, right?
That means that page 18 of the owner's manual is wrong:
WARNING: UPON FIRING THE PISTOL OR RELEASING
THE SLIDE FROM THE SLIDE STOP, THE SLIDE MOVES
REARWARD OR FORWARD WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE
AND SPEED. TO AVOID INJURY, BE SURE NO PART OF YOUR
BODY IS IN THE PATH OF THE SLIDE'S TRAVEL.
That just says that "releasing the slide from the slide stop" causes the slide to move forward. It does not recommend using the "slide stop lever" to release the slide.
Page 17 of the same manual states:
• To make sure that the magazine is fully and securely inserted,
apply some removal pressure to the exposed portion of the
magazine floorplate.
• Pull the slide to the rear and release it, allowing it to carry fully
forward. This strips a cartridge from the magazine and seats it
in the chamber of the barrel.
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TahoeDust
Member
You can tell where I've cleaned the slide lock a few times, and it is now shiny instead of black like the rest of the controls.
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That's pretty crazy. Is the slide lock not coated like the slide? I have spent a lot of time on M&P forums lately and have never heard of this happening.
hpfenning
Member
I have heard that the Hoppe's Elite Oil is water based and has caused rust. You may want to use a different "non water-based " oil.
I have heard that the Hoppe's Elite Oil is water based and has caused rust. You may want to use a different "non water-based " oil.
I think it was coated when I got it, but it was fairly thin.
I've also used barricade from Birchwood Casey and rem oil. Still same thing. I used hoppe's on every other firearm I own and none have rusted. I emailed s&w about it, hopefully they have an answer.
Edit: If the Hoppe's is water based, what good is it for metal parts? Any good non water based oils?
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^^^This^^^That just says that "releasing the slide from the slide stop" causes the slide to move forward. It does not recommend using the "slide stop lever" to release the slide.
Page 17 of the same manual states:
• Pull the slide to the rear and release it, allowing it to carry fully
forward. This strips a cartridge from the magazine and seats it
in the chamber of the barrel.
If they intended the Slide Stop Lever to be used, I believe page 17 would have added be something along the lines of other Brands' manuals that state: 'If slide is already back, press down on the Slide Release Lever and...'.
But hey... It's debatable... I could be wrong.
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