KRWeiss

If the recoil assembly is installed a little off it interferes with the movement of the slide, I had that same problem when we first got a Shield. Try it again making sure you line up the recoil assembly on the barrel, not the spring mount on the locking lug (which is offset), and this problem sould go away

dirvo85

Hey Diane! Welcome to the forum. How are you racking the slide? Are you gripping it from the back and pulling it straight back? My wife had this problem. She's been watching too many movies. I have her doing the overhand method now and with some practice she's a champ!

Instead of holding the grip in your hand and using the other hand to pull the slide back from the rear of the slide, try bringing the shield up to your chest (barrel pointed in a safe direction) and taking the hand that's not gripping the gun and place it on the top of the slide like you would hold a suitcase handle (but much higher up). Then use your grip hand to push the gun forward while pushing the slide rearward with your opposite hand. This way you are pushing and pulling at the same time instead of just pulling. Also by holding the gun much closer, you will have more control while manipulating the slide.

Those instructions are for if you're not already doing it that way. If you are racking the slide in an overhand method disregard and listen to KRW. Happy Shooting! -Dirvo-

Diane13

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I need to change the way I rack it. I first learned a different way than the push and I need to unlearn that quickly. I did get the gun back together. What I found out was that when I rack it I come to a point of resistance and I need to push a bit harder to get beyond that point. I still needed someone else to push the slide stop up as I couldn't do it with both of my hands. Getting beyond that point of resistance is a challenge.

mugenr

Hello fellow Washingtonians

Remember you can always insert an empty mag to let it self lock the slide back when you rack it.

psychprof

Inserting an empty magazine is the solution I arrived at (after much experimentation) to get the slide locked back despite my arthritically weakened hands. Necessity Is the mother of invention!

jwh321

Firing a few hundred rounds through it will also help a great deal.

Diane13

Yes indeed...a few hundred rounds should make a big difference. Even with an empty mag in I still have to remember to push through that point of resistance.

Diane13

Let's hear it for Wades Indoor range in Bellevue!

zotzer

I, too, have to insert a magazine to reassemble. Unlike the fullsize M&P, it doesn't seem possible to rack the slide hard enough to re-seat the takedown lever in proper position. It is also absolutely impossible to engage the slide stop. I am able to engage the slide stop no problem during normal operation, but not if the take-down lever has been engaged.

Good thing that shooting the thing is so fun and easy, otherwise, I would have thrown it against the wall in frustration! LOL

gene1

Diane & Zotzer, I just got my 9 Shield today & have been shooting for 60 years & have never had the trouble getting a gun back together I had with the Shield. Is There a trick to it? Is it alright to put the mag in to put it back together ? Does that effect the sear lever placement?

I have put hundreds of guns back together, but I have never been this old with weak wrists. That makes it worse, but a PPk is no trouble. This shouldn't be either. KR, I triple checked the spring placement for barrel center. What else could it be? If they designed it this way that is a problem.

erndog66

It seems that a lot of components in the S&W M&P Shield require a lot of break in. I agree with one of the posts that recommend running several rounds through it. It seems that RemOil allows just enough wear to occur. That slide did take some getting used to...for me primarily it was my first CCW style gun....and trying to figure out where both of my larger hands needed to be.

zotzer

Gene,
The magazine was designed to hold the slide open when empty, so I would hope it doesn't do any damage. Seeing as it's the only way to get the damn thing back together, it's either that or leave it on the table in two pieces. I only have 100 rounds through it right now. I am going to run 500 through before cleaning it, and see what happens then.

gene1

Zotzer, I like your thinking, got a laugh out of it. I did take it down again & put on an old pair of water skiing gloves & that helped a lot . I haven't skied in over 50 years so they did come in handy after all. I could hold the slide a lot better. Maybe Smith didn't think any old people would buy their guns.

Maybe S&W should include some ski gloves or bike gloves for taking this gun down. I have an LC9 that is no trouble to take down. Alot easier than this. I have seen a lot of questions on the net about this very thing.

Lineman73

I too was amazed with how much force was required to lock back the slide with the magazine out. The "over hand" method of racking the slide (a.k.a. Star Wars Method...."Use FORCE LUKE!") seems to work better and it does tend to improve with use (break in). I have over 400 rounds through my .40 Shield, now. In addition, I have treated my dual spring guide rod with Frog Lube. That helps a lot with the binding involved with the short rod/dual spring configuration!! FROG IT!!

gene1

Lineman, I ordered some Frog Lube today. I have been tired of all that stuff that stinks to high heaven, & ate your grips up, & took the paint off your sites This stuff sounded great, has anyone else used it? If this is as good as everyone says, it is worth it.

zotzer

I don't have any Frog Lube here, but do have Tetra. Will give that a try.

Deuce95ci

Glad to hear I'm not the only one having problems, sounds like a good reason to shoot more!! " But Honey I HAVE to shoot it more its not going to break itself in"

mpmoose

love froglube. i like to put a little of the liquid on the polymer too to make it shine.

Lineman73

I put a dab of Frog Lube behind each ear also!!

"I'm to sexy for my pistol!"