Slide release lever

[97thSignalman]

On my 1911, when it locks back after the last round I can insert a mag and thumb the release to allow the slide to slam forward and chamber a round. When I try this with my M&P9 my thumb is simply not strong enough to depress the release in the same manner as my 1911. Is this normal. Should I be able to depress the release with my thumb to allow the slide to close. Right now I have to pull the slide all the way back and let it go to get it to close on a full mag and chamber a round

 

[jdphotoguy]

The slide release on my M&P9L takes some force to release the slide, but it's no worse then my Springfield XD, Springfield TRP Operator, or any of the other semi-auto guns I've owned.

Not being able to try the slide release myself, I can't say if there is an issue with your gun or your just unaccustomed to the force needed. If you can have someone that owns a M&P try it or take it to a local gunsmith, to have him/her check it out.

 

[OKFC05]

On my M&Ps, it is very hard to release the slide lock without a loaded magazine, but it seems no harder with a loaded mag than my 1911 on the M&P that has seen a year of hard use. The new one in it's initial run seemed pretty stiff, but not onerous.
A lady novice tried the new M&P and could not release the slide lock at all on a full magazine, but slingshotted it, which is the surest way to do it. Not sure how that relates to yours, which might have a burr on it--or could just need some lube and shooting to lap it in?

 

[Jester84]

The slide release on my M&P40 was stiff as well. It got easier to push as I handled the pistol more. I asked some family members with M&Ps and they experienced the same this as well.

 

[97thSignalman]

The slide release on my M&P40 was stiff as well. It got easier to push as I handled the pistol more. I asked some family members with M&Ps and they experienced the same this as well.

I also think the most 1911's have a slide release that has more of and angled and longer surface to gain purchase for the thumb. The M&P is a bump with a few grooves. If my M&P had a slide release lever like my 1911 in the photo below I could use it effectively.

 

[paraloid]

I don't know if the 9mm is the same but if my action is open and I slide a full mag in it it chambers one all by itself. I have a 40

 

[97thSignalman]

I don't know if the 9mm is the same but if my action is open and I slide a full mag in it it chambers one all by itself. I have a 40

That's not what mine does. It just sits there waiting for me to do something.

 

[air8]

I like doing the slide-drop with the magazine on the M&P9 instead of using the slide release. I think they need an extended slide release like Glock has for their pistols.

 

[Etemmu]

The slide catch on my 9c is much stiffer than any of my other pistols. Using gross motor movement (ie, racking the slide) is better anyway for self defense purposes, or so I'm told by the majority of the instructors I've been through.

If your slide goes into battery, by itself, when inserting a full magazine (or an empty one for that matter) then the weapon needs to be checked out by a 'smith.

 

[alphabrace]

I have a 9 and 40 m&p and have had no problem with the slide release. Of course everything seems to get better with use.

 

[paraloid]

If your slide goes into battery, by itself, when inserting a full magazine (or an empty one for that matter) then the weapon needs to be checked out by a 'smith.

I've actually seen videos of people saying this is how it was. I might have to call and ask about this. And it doesn't do it with a empty mag.

 

[air8]

It's in the manual I believe. S&W warns that forcefully inserting a loaded magazine could cause the slide to release and load a bullet into the chamber. But it's in their words.

 

[R1_Demon]

You can fix anything with duct tape, a screwdriver and a hammer. Not necessarily in that order.

 

[turbo38gn]

Couple of points, the slide release is not a slide release, it's really a slide stop which means it is used to hold the slide open for several reasons, not there to release it. It can be used to release but that was not it's intent. Release is recommended by pulling the slide back and releasing it, period. If you can release it with the slide stop, it's your choice. If you can't because it is tight, man up... or it will loosen up with use. My 120lb wife couldn't release it when hers was new, she had to pull the slide. I now notice her occassionally releasing with the slide stop.
Next point, the slide releasing when slamming the magazine in with a little force, very common and will happen with pretty much any M&P as well as most any plastic gun. No need to worry, send your gun back for service or to get your panties in a bunch... Shoot em, these are some of the best guns of their class in the world!!

 

[bet1277]

I have a M&P9c and just came back from the range. I am having the same issues. I can not use my thumb to release the slide like i can my Glock but really think racking is the best thing anyway. I actually have to press on both sides of the release to get mine to chamber a round.

Today was the first time shooting my 9c and i really do like it. The trigger is somewhat different from the glock but it is very accurate that's for sure.

 

[WR Moore]

Using gross motor movement (ie, racking the slide) is better anyway for self defense purposes, or so I'm told by the majority of the instructors I've been through.

Actually, a gross motor movement involves the long muscles of the body, running is an example. ANY action that involves the use of the hands in grasping a slide, depressing a slide stop/release, magazine catch or performing the trigger stroke is a fine motor movement.

Since the same instructors have no issue with your firing your weapon or changing magazines, you should realize they're either trying to rationalize their personal preference or point of view or repeating what they were told without checking. (It's the tactikewl way!!!)

Yanking on the slide may be less fumbleprone for some, especially with gloves, and it will work with just about any weapon, which may be a basis for their preference. I know of one weapons manufacturer that insisted on that process in their training program so that they could claim their slide release was ambidextrous.

Frankly, you can release the slide in any manner you choose. Just don't buy into false justifications as to why you should do it in that specific manner. Find the system that works best for you and practice it until it's habit.

 

[nicholasjrice]

My slide release was stiff also. But I found while breaking it in if I used my thumb on the one side and my index finger on the other I could get it to release. But now its getting broke in enough to just use the thumb release.

 

[M&PUSER]

On my 1911, when it locks back after the last round I can insert a mag and thumb the release to allow the slide to slam forward and chamber a round. When I try this with my M&P9 my thumb is simply not strong enough to depress the release in the same manner as my 1911. Is this normal. Should I be able to depress the release with my thumb to allow the slide to close.

When I bought my M&P9 about a month ago the salesmen at GT Distributors recommended I use a heavy load [I'm using the Speer Lawman 147 grain cartridge] to loosen up the spring. After 400 rounds, it's a whole lot easier to thumb the release and allow the slide to move forward. Like night and day. It was a very useful tip.

 

[bobkarno]

The slide stop on my M&P45 has always been easy to operate, and if you slap a mag up into it with enough force it will release and chamber a round (sometimes). However, the stop on my 9c is a bear. I prefer to slingshot my slides anyways, but if you were unable to do this (injured) you would need that release. Comparing all of my M&P's I can see that the notch in the slide on the 45 has a bit of favorable angle to it while the notch on my 9c and my 40 is square. I spent a lot of time with an empty mag in the 2 guns just pulling the slides back and working the release. This did improve the function, but the 45 is still much easier.

 

[mtnwinds]

In the owner's manual, S&W refers to the part being discussed as a 'slide stop' not a 'slide release'. To chamber a round they also state that you should pull back on the slide and then release it. I always used the slide stop as a slide release on my 1911 until I noticed many professional types not using it that way. Most 1911s have a bump on the slide stop that invites using your thumb to chamber a round, the M&Ps do not.

If your slide closes when you insert a magazine, I would be concerned that either the magazine or the slide stop is defective.

I don't remember which pistol it was but I used to own one (German design I think) that was designed by the mfg. to chamber a round when a loaded magazine was inserted replacing an empty one.

Using the weak hand to rack the slide is also less likely to result in a changed grip position with the strong hand. Just my .02¢.