S&W M&P Shield slide release issue

[Balrog]

I have a new and as of yet unfired M&P Shield in 9mm. I didn't realize it when I was handling the gun, but with a magazine in the gun and slide locked back, the slide release will not allow the slide to move forward. I have to pull back on the slide a bit while depressing the slide release. I am guessing the tension with the slide locked back must be a bit much for the slide release to overcome.

Is this a problem?

I haven't tried loading live rounds and seeing if the slide release will drop the slide. I am heading to range tomorrow.

 

[zaitcev]

I only use the release lever for disassembly on a Shield. A thousand rounds in, it's still impossible to drop the slide with it. Fortunately, we at least have it. Taurus makes a semi-auto where the only way to engage the stop is to insert an empty magazine -- there is no slide stop control at all. There was a time a few years back when all the experts agreed that shooters should not use the slide release lever to drop the slide. Instead, we ought to pull the slide back so it disengages. Perhaps Shield was designed when it was the tactical way.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Is this a problem?

Nope, it is working as it was designed to. With the magazine inserted, the Slide Lock ( part #27; there is no part called a slide release) has to push against the magazine spring to release the slide; it wasn't designed to do this.

I understand that the M&P9 series has a very tight slide stop which may be difficult to release even with a full mag inserted. Can't say I ever noticed as I only use the lever to lock the slide back

 

[cfullgraf]

I'm finding of late that with some of the small, 9mm single stack pistols like the M&P Shield and Kimber Micro9, the slide is very difficult to release with an empty magazine in place.

A combination of a stiff magazine spring and the slide recoil springs, there is too much load on the slide stop to make it easy to release the slide. The small size of the slide stop lever does not help either.

Remove the magazine and it is easy to release the slide either by pushing the slide stop or pulling the slide back allowing the slide stop to release on its own.

Definitely not as easy as releasing the slide on an 1911.

 

[JTQ]

Nope, it is working as it was designed to. With the magazine inserted, the Slide Lock ( part #27; there is no part called a slide release) has to push against the magazine spring to release the slide; it wasn't designed to do this.

I agree.

 

[drband]

Remove the magazine and it is easy to release the slide either by pushing the slide stop or pulling the slide back allowing the slide stop to release on its own.