Slide Lock Won't Release on M&P Shield 1.0

[Homerboy]

I've had two Shield 1.0's that worked flawlessly. Have a Shield Plus that is flawless so far as well. I bought a New Old Stock Shield 1.0 NYPD gun. I collect PD guns and I served on that department. When I went to clean it, with the slide locked back to rotate the take down lever, I pull the slide back to release it. It wouldn't drop the lock. I tried it a bunch of times and it finally did it. I cleaned it and lubed it and it seemed to work fine. I chalked it up to just being in storage too long and it needing a cleaning.

But yesterday, I took it out of the safe and locked the slide back. Pulled the slide to the rear to release and it's not releasing. Multiple tries and it finally does. Should I send it in or is there something I can do?

When I take the slide off and push up on the slide lock, it frequently stays up. My Shield Plus, when I push up on the slide lock with the slide off, it pops right down.

A Google search brought up another post on a S&W forum. Same issue. One guy responded he sent back two of his Performance Center Shield's twice each that were doing the same thing and the issue wasn't fixed.

 

[Hartkopf]

Is the ejector loose? Might have to hone a bit off of it and maybe radius the back corner slightly to keep it from catching on the slide. This is just my first thought, there could be a totally different issue.

 

[Homerboy]

Is the ejector loose? Might have to hone a bit off of it and maybe radius the back corner slightly to keep it from catching on the slide. This is just my first thought, there could be a totally different issue.

No idea and far out of my skill-set anyway.

 

[Hartkopf]

This is a Glock but just showing the spot to look at on your S&W if you can get the slide off. If the back of the ejector is contacting the slide(arrow), use a hone or sandpaper backed up by a piece of metal and radius the corner. I’ve seen loose ejectors cause the problem you’re having on the S&W and the factory would not fix it. Other manufacturers have had issues with the slide contacting frame parts and causing malfunctions (Glock 30). The quickest cure is just hone a few thou off of what’s hitting. It’s hit or miss if the factory will fix it.

 

[MEHavey]

Perhaps a touch of gun oil on the interfacing parts/and pivot hole ?
(Gun Corollary to Einstein's 7th Law: "see if it's plugged in" )

 

[Homerboy]

I’ll play around with it. I watched a video on disassembling and M&P. Once the two pins are out the slide lock comes right out. I wonder if a new slide lock would do the trick?

as far as the factory fixing it, they’d better. The problem is obvious. With the slide off the slide lock will stick in the up position. It shouldn’t do that. Either replace the lock, the spring, or even the whole unit if the have to. Maybe it’s a little burr on the frame. Doesn’t seem like it would be an issue to a trained armorer who knows these guns inside and out.

 

[Homerboy]

I sent it to Smith. Been a long time since I did that and I’ve been reading some posts indicating their customer service has fallen. The problem seems really basic so I have to believe they’ll be able to easily deal with it.

 

[WheelGunMan]

I sent it to Smith. Been a long time since I did that and I’ve been reading some posts indicating their customer service has fallen. The problem seems really basic so I have to believe they’ll be able to easily deal with it.

Sounds like your release spring is weak or broken. Please let us know what they find. The slide lock on my Shield Plus cannot be released with anything short of a ball peen. Best I can do is pull the slide back a little to get it to drop.

 

[Homerboy]

Sounds like your release spring is weak or broken. Please let us know what they find. The slide lock on my Shield Plus cannot be released with anything short of a ball peen. Best I can do is pull the slide back a little to get it to drop.

But try to release the slide lock after you eject something. Bet you it drops easily then. Eject and lock open and then press the slide lock.

 

[Skylerbone]

My first M&P semi-auto the slide would not release with anything but a slingshot. Any attempt would have the lever deflect under the pressure. I took care of it myself with a file, the shield should be similar. I bought 3 M&Ps and filed all 3 as the stamped part displayed that same ridge every time. 3 minutes and done.

 

[d'zaster]

Thanks Skylerbone. I have a 1st gen Shield 40 w the same issue and have gotten used to slingshot only. I'll have a go with the adjustment.