Shield Slide Lock

RacerX

RacerX

Professional Knucklehead; aka Jeffncs / RacerX
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So...I received my Shield 9 and cleaned it up. I'm a Glock guy so the S&W family is new to me.

I haven't shot it yet, but the slide lock is exceptionally difficult to release. I'm not a weak individual by any stretch.... but I need to use 2 thumbs to release it.

My dad's Shield 9 is exactly the same way after 300+ rounds.

Will it improve with use? (Hahaha - that reads funny!)
Anything I can do to improve function?
Will an extended slide lock help?

Everything that's supposed to be lubed has a light costing off grease.

Just planning ahead as this will eventually become my minimalist clothing EDC (running, workout, summer) after proving reliability.

Love to hear what everyone thinks.
 
I've got plenty of rounds through my 9 and the slide lock is still very stiff. I just slingshot the slide. Love that gun.

I found that Talon rubber grips improve my ability to shoot it and just put Truglo TFO's on the other day...what a difference!!!!
 
Yeah, it's a known "feature" of the Shield. The slide release is super tight


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Agree with what others have stated. My Shield was one of the very first produced and it had a very stiff slide lock that, over time and with use, did ease up. Just like Jeppo suggested, just sling-shot the slide and all is good. Enjoy your step-child among your Glock family.
 
Being LH I generally can lock back most slides by using my left index finger to hold up on the side lock / release. The shield is the most difficult one, read, nearly impossible to do.

I'm surprised no one has made a aftermarket one yet.

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I tried to cite a source but can't find it now as I'm in a bit of a hurry.

I have read online of some people stating releasing slide lock on shield actually damaged their gun. Maybe they were isolated idiots that were rough on theirs. IDK.

I sling shot as well just to be certain.
 
Wife and I both have carry one. Sling shot method as other have stated. But yes it was stiff at first.
 
Chdamn said:
I just use a mans grip and my manly thumb to release the slide.

Y'all just need to trim your nails and stop worrying about messing up your French manicure.
Click to expand...

But...your wife told me she likes my nails just the way they are?!


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Both of my shields are like this as was my FS 9. On my FS I took a razor and was able to clearly feel a lip on the release that is catching on the slide. I took some 400 grit paper and smoothed it out.
Unfortunately I smoothed it so well that my slide would release with a forceful mag change. I ordered a new slide release from Brownells ($17 iirc) and was a little more careful about sanding and got it perfect.
 
Jerzsubbie said:
Both of my shields are like this as was my FS 9. On my FS I took a razor and was able to clearly feel a lip on the release that is catching on the slide. I took some 400 grit paper and smoothed it out.
Unfortunately I smoothed it so well that my slide would release with a forceful mag change. I ordered a new slide release from Brownells ($17 iirc) and was a little more careful about sanding and got it perfect.
Click to expand...
I've thought about trying this too, just try to take the sharp angle off the back of the release.

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They are stiff, mine freed up a good bit quickly, but you have to use it for that to happen.
 
Chdamn said:
I just use a mans grip and my manly thumb to release the slide.

Y'all just need to trim your nails and stop worrying about messing up your French manicure.
Click to expand...
I don't remember you borrowing my hands.. then again I blackout every once in a while and wake up in someone else's house.
 
Thanks for the quick replies! I'll burn some powder and see how it goes. Sling shot if all else fails.
 
If anyone bothered to read the owner's manual then you would have noted that it is a slide STOP not a slide release. The releasing of the slide is meant to be accomplished by slingshotting. It isn't designed to release like a 1911
 
Curmudgeon said:
If anyone bothered to read the owner's manual then you would have noted that it is a slide STOP not a slide release. The releasing of the slide is meant to be accomplished by slingshotting. It isn't designed to release like a 1911
Click to expand...
You read manuals? Did you get dropped on your head as a child? Manuals. Pftttt!!
 
Curmudgeon is correct!! The Shield does not have a slide release.....It is a Slide Stop. This repeatedly comes up on the S&W and M&P forums. I was wondering how many answers I would have to read before someone stated this. Thumps up, Curmudgeon.
 
In my OP, I called it a Slide Lock.... Do I get partial credit??

And I only read enough of the manual to strip it for cleaning...

Chuckle, chuckle...

Jeff
 
Last edited:
Curmudgeon said:
If anyone bothered to read the owner's manual then you would have noted that it is a slide STOP not a slide release. The releasing of the slide is meant to be accomplished by slingshotting. It isn't designed to release like a 1911
Click to expand...
Yes and they serrated the top radius of it because that helps when pushing it up :confused:
It really doesn't matter what they call it, it performs both functions. Being textured in a way that assists downward manipulation gives a pretty good indication it was a design consideration. They could've made it flush with the slide or with serrations angled to hinder pushing down, but they didn't, while they do say pull back and let go to release the slide, I missed where it stated not to push down on the slide stop to release the slide.
 
With all due respect, I also don't remember the manual mentioning not to put the gun in one's mouth.

:D
 
This thread is going sideways quickly...
 
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