Slide release on M&P 40

[hobomag]

I just purchased a new mp 40 and i have never encountered such a difficult slide release it takes two hands (one on each side) to release slide,is this normal for new MP pistols?

 

[GONIF]

My M&P45c is one of the hardest I have ever felt,but I have big strong thumbs and can work it with one hand .They need to redesign it IMHO.

 

[handgunner356]

It shouldn't be that hard unless the gun has a empty mag in it. When loading a fresh mag I usually "Slingshot" the slide anyway. One way to help it if it is that hard is to take a small file to the stop notch on the edge of the slide. Give it a slight slope and smooth it out the stop will come off easier.

 

[chuck s]

It's called a slide stop. Close the slide by pulling it all the way to the rear and releasing. Won't close if there's an empty magazine in there, nor should it.

Using the slide stop as a slide release is a fine motor skill that will betray you in crisis.

But it sounds like you guys are trying to administratively close with an empty magazine in the pistol anyway, hardly a critical task. Close the slide. Insert the empty magazine.

-- Chuck

 

[GONIF]

NOPE ,it is hard and stiff with no mag as well . I tryed it with no mag in and the lever is small and hard to release .Just a bad design plain and simple .I'm 59 and have more weapons than you can imagine ,this is one of the worst slide releases there is .

 

[mittenzon]

You're entitled to your opinion.
We just don't share it!

 

[FordDriveOne]

I like the way it is designed. It prevents people from accidentally resting their thumbs on the slide stop and preventing the slide from holding open on an empty chamber. Racking the slide isn't a big issue, at least for me because in order to reach the slide stop i need to break my grip anyways. There's another, less known way to release the slide while inserting a new magazine, at least on the M&P and Beretta 92fs. If you insert the new full mag with a good solid thrust and on the right angle you can get the slide to automatically release on its own. If you can nail that movement down and make it work for you consistently its a lot quicker then both other methods. Anybody who watched the Magpul Dynamic Handgun DVDs will know what I'm talking about.

 

[oamaam]

I just purchased a new mp 40 and i have never encountered such a difficult mag release it takes two hands (one on each side) to release slide,is this normal for new MP pistols?

Well for the ones I own, NOPE magazine flies out and as far as I have handled in stores they all are about the same. Maybe go back to the shop you purchased from and have them look at the situation or call the mail order house. Contact S&W Customer service

 

[hobomag]

Thanks everyone for the feedback,got me on the right track(this is my first M&P,so far impressed with it feels great in my hand)

 

[GONIF]

IF THE SLIDE RELEASE WAS A LITLE LARGER ,like a Sig,H&K ,Walther,or FN it would be less of a problem for us thin skinned guys with soft thumbs .

 

[Sambaru]

I'm experiencing this with my brand new M&P9 as well, and I never had this issue with my well-used M&P9. It is actually concerning me since I have 2 of the same gun and only one has this problem. I am hoping it will loosen up as the gun breaks in. I have field stripped both guns and taken a look at the internals and they look the same.

 

[Sambaru]

Oh wow... that was my first post ever! Greetings from Canada, where it is illegal to defend your life!

 

[hobomag]

It's called a slide stop. Close the slide by pulling it all the way to the rear and releasing. Won't close if there's an empty magazine in there, nor should it.

Using the slide stop as a slide release is a fine motor skill that will betray you in crisis.

But it sounds like you guys are trying to administratively close with an empty magazine in the pistol anyway, hardly a critical task. Close the slide. Insert the empty magazine.

-- Chuck

Good point Chuck,Thanks for making it,good advise also.

 

[Szumi]

My .40 compact had a burr from the stamping process that made the slide stop/release hard to operate. I was tempted to stone it but decided to just give it time to wear in which it did finally do.

Szumi

 

[Meztiso]

When you load an M&P with a full mag you will notice that the slide will "auto forward" all on its own when slammed in with any significant force. Lots of folks experienced this with M&P's.

I dont use it normally since I was always taught to use the "over hand" or "over the top" technique. I'd only use the slide stop if I were doing a one handed mags change. But if I were forced to do a one hand mag change, my adrenaline will probably be off the charts and I wouldnt even notice a difficult slide stop lever?

 

[Kanewpadle]

It's called a slide stop. Close the slide by pulling it all the way to the rear and releasing. Won't close if there's an empty magazine in there, nor should it.

Using the slide stop as a slide release is a fine motor skill that will betray you in crisis.

But it sounds like you guys are trying to administratively close with an empty magazine in the pistol anyway, hardly a critical task. Close the slide. Insert the empty magazine.

-- Chuck

Well said Chuck.

The problem is, most folks don't train for those crisis situations.

I supervised an indoor range on weekends for a few years. I could never get the employees to take such things seriously. So I devised an easy test to make them realize just how difficult things could be under stress.

I had them unload their gun and put it on the bench with the slide locked back and a full magazine next to it. I then sent a B27 or similar target out to 15 yards.

I instructed them to load and get as many WELL placed shots as possible while I bought the target back to them at full speed.

Over 75% of them missed the slide lock on the first try. Some got it on the second try and some released the slide by pulling it back. By that time the target was already at 7 yards or closer forcing them to shoot wildly and rapidly. Very few hits were accurate enough to count.

Hardly scientific, but it worked.

 

[Meztiso]

That sounds like a fun challenge. I'll have to try that the next time my buddies and I are at a range with a motorized target.

 

[7shooter]

I think those who think there is something wrong with the slide stop design on the M&P pistols are probably right. My M&P 9 had the right side slide release lever completely snap off during a match. I don't use either the right or left side slide releases and instead use the over hand technique of pulling the slide back and letting it go forward on its own. Mine also goes forward on its own when I vigorously insert a new mag when the gun is at slide lock. S&W sent me a new slide lock for free but I did have to pay my local gunsmith to have it installed.

 

[PersonalSecurity]

I honestly don't see any reason for using the slide stop, outside of locking the gun open. On reloads, make it a habit to use your support hand to grab the serrations with an overhand grip, pull the slide back slightly and release (make sure to never ride the slide).

Hell, even if i'm practicing support hand or primary hand only, I just use my belt and the rear site to close the slide on a reload. Another good habit in my opinion. I would be careful trying it at a stationary indoor range though... but those types of ranges arent good places to simulate an injury situation anyways.

If you have the ledged rear sight on your M&P, start testing it for reloads or malfunction clearance. Just be very concious of where the muzzle is pointing and make sure your finger is off the trigger. If you don't have a ledged rear sight.... maybe consider them if you are ever looking to replace the sights. There are a good amount of night sights that come ledged for single hand malfunction drills / reloads.

Steve