Shield slide issue

[snubnose57]

With the slide locked to the rear, I pull back on the slide to chamber a round. But when I release the slide, it stays locked to the rear. If I use the slide release, the slide goes forward every time. Is this normal for this pistol?

 

[Muss Muggins]

With the slide locked to the rear, I pull back on the slide to chamber a round. But when I release the slide, it stays locked to the rear. If I use the slide release, the slide goes forward every time. Is this normal for this pistol?

Rack it rearward with purpose . . .

 

[snubnose57]

Well, the slide is already locked to the rear. How much farther can I rack it?
Sorry if my question was not clear.

 

[jurek]

When slide is locked, remove the magazine and pull it back (it will go at least 1/4 inch) then release.
Does it go freely forward?

 

[snubnose57]

No ,with the mag removed and the slide locked open, the slide will not go forward when pulled fully to the rear.

 

[jurek]

1. Disassemble the firearm
2. With the frame only and removed magazine - press the slide stop lever up and release it. It should go back down under spring tension.
3. If all is good slide stop lever should be even with frame edge, nothing should stick out above the frame.

 

[snubnose57]

I did what you said. When I push up on the slide release, it stays up, like there is no spring at all.

 

[LVSteve]

I did what you said. When I push up on the slide release, it stays up, like there is no spring at all.

Either something is hanging up the slide lock because it's installed incorrectly or a part has failed.

 

[Execpro]

My LGS has a Gunsmith. For hopefully something minor, he will look at it and fix it or tell you to send it back to S&W.
It could be there is no spring to pull it down or the spring was not installed
properly.
Smiths quality control seems to be pretty bad from what I read on this forum and some of their guns are pretty expensive. If it where me, I would
Take it to a gunsmith to check out.

 

[jurek]

I did what you said. When I push up on the slide release, it stays up, like there is no spring at all.

Do you have spring on place? (see picture)

 

[snubnose57]

I looked close with a magnifying glass, and see no such spring.
Maybe it was missing to begin with.

 

[snubnose57]

PS, when shooting, the slide locks to the rear on an empty mag, if this helps.

 

[jurek]

PS, when shooting, the slide locks to the rear on an empty mag, if this helps.

Slide stop lever ALWAYS locks on empty mag. Spring has nothing to do with it.
Once the magazine is empty, the follower pushes the lever up.

Your problem is that the stop lever doesn't come back.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Have you ever removed the locking block on this Shield?
Oh & to be exactly sure, Which Shield? 9mm, 40 S&W, 45acp? 1.0, 2.0, Plus, 3.1", 4", Performance Center??
S&W Has a lot of choices..
I looked for a good diagram online & could find nothing showing that spring which is a piece of spring wire.. Manual shows Nothing?
I tried to get a good picture of it internally but after seven tries came up with nothing but out of focus blurred messy pics.
Thanks for making me realize I need new glasses too BTW..
Even with a magnifying glass It is very hard to see, Need to go down & get an eye loupe from the basement.
The Photo jurek showed shows it from the outside great, better than any I tried with my ancient Olympus X-21 Camera.
The part you need costs less than $5, but should cost 5 cents.
I would think a call to S&W would get you a free one in an envelope. Looks like a V shaped part of a paper clip..
Here's a link that shows the spring in question
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 / 40 Slide Stop Spring: MGW
I would assume to install the spring you would have to remove the take down lever, drive out the locking block pin, + trigger pin & lift the block up & fit the spring in it's channel/groove, You might have to remove the other roll pin & take the trigger bar & trigger housing out too?
I have never taken my frame apart = No Reason Too..
Looked for a video & came up with one for the full size M&P
But it didn't show the "Slide Stop Lever Return Spring"
It's a Slide Stop Lever not a Slide Release Lever BTW
This is always a matter of opinion as some want to drop the slide with the lever & being it's small they have trouble & want to sand or modify it to do so & then because it has been goofed with the slide drops closed when the magazine is removed taking the tension off the slide stop lever.. Don't Do That!!
You might have to return it to S&W to get it fixed
This really matters you're ability to work on stuff..
I always assume that others can tear things apart & put them back together while others just don't have the ability to do so.
Never ASSUME Anything.. It'll get you into trouble
I'm sure there's many guys here who think they are gunsmiths that aren't.. I Am Not..

Call S&W 1-800-331-0852 Ext 4125 & Have you're Serial # at Hand
Good Luck
Gary/Hk Sorry Long Post

 

[Saudade]

Yeah, if the spring is missing, then that's the problem. Here's a few pics to clarify.

Here's the spring:



Here's the spring mounted in the locking block with the slide stop still in place:




Notice how the spring pushes down on the slide stop. When the mag is empty, the follower pushes up on the stop to lock the slide. With no mag, or a loaded mag, once you pull back, the spring pushes the stop down to release the slide. No spring, no release, unless you push it down.

Is this a new gun or did you buy it used?

 

[snubnose57]

Thanks for everyone's help.