So I got the sd9ve a few months ago. I've put almost 500 rounds through it. The slide isn't locking back anymore. I decided to clean it and investigate. It appears that through use the mag has abit more play vertically. If I push up the mag the slide with lock when the last round is fired but if I don't push the mag up the slide will not lock. I was wondering if anyone els has had this problem before and know of anything I could do to fix the play in the mag without purchasing a new mag after every two or three clips
Slide not locking
- Thread starter Curtis.
- Start date
The problem could be with the follower, or
the slide lock tab, or both. It's possible your
magazine catch/mag tube have developed too much
play, but there's a metal insert in the mag
catch which should prevent it from wearing
and getting too sloppy.
Pull slide & barrel off frame and push in
an empty mag.
Eyeball the shelf on follower that lifts tab on
slide lock, and tab on slide lock. The shelf
should solidly contact the tab. If engagement
is sketchy, the metal tab can wear the edge
of the shelf off, and fail to lift. If you know
someone with same pistol, get a look at
another slide stop (and see how your mags
work in the other pistol, etc).
It's possible your slide stop wasn't bent
to proper angle, to make engagement with
the follower.
A less likely possibility is the follower isn't
rising to full height, in the mag tube.
Disassemble mag tube & check inside, and
follower for any debris/junk that might impede
follower movement.
the slide lock tab, or both. It's possible your
magazine catch/mag tube have developed too much
play, but there's a metal insert in the mag
catch which should prevent it from wearing
and getting too sloppy.
Pull slide & barrel off frame and push in
an empty mag.
Eyeball the shelf on follower that lifts tab on
slide lock, and tab on slide lock. The shelf
should solidly contact the tab. If engagement
is sketchy, the metal tab can wear the edge
of the shelf off, and fail to lift. If you know
someone with same pistol, get a look at
another slide stop (and see how your mags
work in the other pistol, etc).
It's possible your slide stop wasn't bent
to proper angle, to make engagement with
the follower.
A less likely possibility is the follower isn't
rising to full height, in the mag tube.
Disassemble mag tube & check inside, and
follower for any debris/junk that might impede
follower movement.
Disabled1
US Veteran
Call S&W to have them send you a FREE shipping label. Let them figure it out, being it has a LIFETIME WARRANTY. 
cmj8591
Member
If the slide does not lock to the rear when you manually pull it back on an empty magazine, then you probably need some work on the gun. Otherwise, keep your finger off of the slide release when you're shooting.
I've seen a LOT of this on this forum. I've been having the problem myself, to greater or lesser degrees. I always have to make sure I keep my dominate hand thumb AWAY from the slide-lock lever. I've actually watched myself do this on several occasions. I also note that when it DOES lock open normally, I can still move the lever UP a couple mm !! I'm unsure if this is a mag follower issue or a mag spring issue. I have yet to purchase new mag "guts" (i.e. spring & follower) to test this. Hopefully this will fix this issue, if in fact this is the exact problem. As we all know, the mag is the weakest link in any self-loading pistol (other than the shooter, LOL), so Ill go with the least expensive fix possible. I'll post when I have finished my "experiment" !!!
Alk8944
US Veteran
If the magazine is not being held high enough by the magazine catch then try replacing the magazine catch before anything else.
