Slide will not release

[BigBird48]

Hi I'm a new Member and this is my first S&W hand gun. I own several Rugers and NAA's.
Got this M&P Shield 9mm yesterday and took it out to try. Shot off the first mag and when I tried to release the slide for the second mag I could not get it to release. Tried to slingshot it and that didn't even work. Kept pushing the slide release really hard to the point the skinh was wearing off my thumb, it finally went home. Shot off the second mag and same thing.
Never had a gun I couldn't just give a push of the release button or slingshot. Is this common because if its always going to be this hard its going back. Gun is useless if I can't change mags and quick fire.

 

[racerx_li]

Note the Shield does not have a slide release, it has a slide lock, per the manual. Mine will release if I REALLY try, but manual specifies slingshotting as the proper method.
If that truly doesn't work, you may have an issue. But skip the slide release idea....

Hi I'm a new Member and this is my first S&W hand gun. I own several Rugers and NAA's.
Got this M&P Shield 9mm yesterday and took it out to try. Shot off the first mag and when I tried to release the slide for the second mag I could not get it to release. Tried to slingshot it and that didn't even work. Kept pushing the slide release really hard to the point the skinh was wearing off my thumb, it finally went home. Shot off the second mag and same thing.
Never had a gun I couldn't just give a push of the release button or slingshot. Is this common because if its always going to be this hard its going back. Gun is useless if I can't change mags and quick fire.

 

[hexnut]

It has a slide lock but has a release button. I can release or unlock my M&P bodyguard every time using the button. Its a little harder on the shield sometimes. Its really tight.

 

[cyfman1]

Just pull the slide back a smidge,and the slide lock is then easy to push down and turn the slide loose to chamber a round.

 

[hexnut]

Just pull the slide back a smidge,and the slide lock is then easy to push down and turn the slide loose to chamber a round.

Yeah, that's what I wanted to say. You stated it so well.

 

[Bayoutalker]

That's the way I do it on my Shield.

Cliff

 

[M5RahuL]

I replaced the factory RSA with a ss one ( brand : ssguiderods. Bought from Amazon ) on my regular Shield and racking became much easier!!

Surprisingly, the stock RSA on my Ported Shield is quite manageable!

 

[rwsmith]

I do the pull back, push down release and let go....

.....thing. But I don't think you should HAVE to. Pulling the slide all the way to the rear should let the slide jump forward. My Shield is in the shop, or I'd play with it a little. I have 3 semi guns, and they operate a tad differently even though they are all DAO. I'll try it with my other two guns. I'll get back to you.

BTW Welcome to the forum. There are people here that can give you a positive answer, but now you've got me curious. I swannee to gosh that I can just pull the slide to the rear and let go.

 

[NCW Ray]

Lock the slide back, remove the magazine if inserted, now try releasing the slide either by the over-hand method or the slingshot method. If it won't release then the "Slide STOP" isn't working properly and the Shield may need to go back to S&W if you can't fix it. .

 

[Mcwsky09]

It does sound as if it is at least possible that the slide lock is malfunctioning (or something else is interfering). Not sure if I have seen it happen on a Shield but I have read of cases in some firearms where the spring that is attached to the slide lock lever is not installed properly causing it to not operate as it should.
What I would do it clear the weapon - and if you can disassemble it the with the slide removed see if the slide lock lever moves up and down freely and with an empty mag see if the lever is moved up by the follower - and if it can be pushed down easily or not.
If you cannot get the slide to release for disassembly then you might need a helper (or a proper vice) to hold the gun while you pull the slide back and push the slide lock lever down (assuming it is not itself jammed in some way) in order to disassemble.
With an empty chamber - no mag - and no slide or closed side - the lever should move up and down pretty easily.

 

[Rastoff]

...when I tried to release the slide for the second mag I could not get it to release. Tried to slingshot it and that didn't even work.

Please excuse me for asking an obvious question. When you tried to release the slide for the second mag, did you still have the first, and empty, mag in the gun?

 

[BigBird48]

thanks for all the replies and help. Yes the mag was out but I think the second time it was not. Maybe got so frustrated trying to do it with thumb I just didn't think to take out the empty mag.,Duhh Its just my Rugers are so easy drop the empty mag slap in a new one hit the slide release no problems .