Shield 9mm slide won't come off

[Tyroshield]

Hey all - I'm stumped.

Bought my Shield 9mm about a month ago. Took it apart, cleaned and oiled it and fired around 100 rounds with 0 issues.

Took it apart- cleaned and oiled it.

Last week I took it out and fired another 100 rounds. No problems.

I go to take it apart to clean it tonight and the slide won't come off the rails.

I used the method per the directions using the yellow lever - it slides about an eight forward and then solidly stops.

I seated it back together - put in a magazine of snap caps. The trigger engaged and the rounds easily ejected.

I tried the "pull the trigger" system of stripping the gun and the same thing happens: the slide slides about an eighth and then stops and won't budge to come off.

I searched here and couldn't find anything similar. Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

T-

 

[Targets Guy]

Pulling the trigger works for me. I'd be stumped as well if this happened to me. I haven't seen my yellow lever since pushing it in the first day I had the weapon.

 

[Targets Guy]

someone will be along who knows.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[rwsmith]

OK, silly question.....

Are you unlocking the slide with the forward lever? Of course you are, but a couple of times I had to look twice and oops, forgot that part.

 

[Tyroshield]

Thanks.

I am doing everything I've done the other two times I've taken the gun apart.

You never look at things closely until they don't work so I'm not sure if this is "new" but there is a thin rail of metal that is visible in the gap right above the takedown lever.

As the slide advances forward that metal "ribbon" exits from a groove. It seems to move out and catch the slide - but that might be me misunderstanding how it works. When the slide is slid backwards that "ribbon" fits inside its groove.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this.

T-

 

[Bkreutz]

Thanks.

I am doing everything I've done the other two times I've taken the gun apart.

You never look at things closely until they don't work so I'm not sure if this is "new" but there is a thin rail of metal that is visible in the gap right above the takedown lever.

As the slide advances forward that metal "ribbon" exits from a groove. It seems to move out and catch the slide - but that might be me misunderstanding how it works. When the slide is slid backwards that "ribbon" fits inside its groove.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this.

T-

I've seen this on a full size M&P, what I did to disassemble was to use a think screwdriver to push the "ribbon" up and out of the way. When I got it apart, it looked like the piece was loose and about to break. I just helped it break off and then used a file to smooth out the broken end. That was a few years back and I haven't had a problem with it since. I know it was a crude fix, but I'm kind of a crude guy . If this turns out what is happening to yours, your two options are to 1. Break the piece off like I did, or 2. send it back to S&W. I think they will repair it without any problem. I just didn't feel like waiting.

 

[Tyroshield]

I've seen this on a full size M&P, what I did to disassemble was to use a think screwdriver to push the "ribbon" up and out of the way. When I got it apart, it looked like the piece was loose and about to break. I just helped it break off and then used a file to smooth out the broken end. That was a few years back and I haven't had a problem with it since. I know it was a crude fix, but I'm kind of a crude guy . If this turns out what is happening to yours, your two options are to 1. Break the piece off like I did, or 2. send it back to S&W. I think they will repair it without any problem. I just didn't feel like waiting.

Thanks! That sounds exactly like the issue.

I guess I'll have to look into sending it back - or use a local smith...

 

[rwsmith]

Call them up.....

Thanks! That sounds exactly like the issue.

I guess I'll have to look into sending it back - or use a local smith...

S&W should do it for free. If you call them and tell them what's wrong. they will give a return label and all you have to do is ship it back. Since it sounds like a warranty thing it should only take a little over a week. Warranty gets priority.

Also, the only way to send guns is like 2 day so it gets there and back pretty fast.

 

[cardguy]

Just pull the trigger, it won't hurt the gun.