How to Fix a Stuck Slide: M & P Shield 9mm EZ

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Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9 mm EZ slide stuck.

How to easily fix your M&P Shield if you get the slide stuck while disassembling or reassembling the gun.

If you have Field stripped your Shield EZ for cleaning, and accidentally pressed the grip safety while putting it back together, you may have experienced getting the slide stuck on the frame. If you are in this predicament, DO NOT WORRY! I am going to show you how to easily get it un-jammed.

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I had made a video of how to clean, field strip and reassemble your M&P Shield 9 mm EZ, and one of the comments I received on the video was from someone who got his slide stuck. He was putting it back together and when he put the slide back on the frame, it became jammed to the point that he could not remove the slide no matter what he tried.

I then decided that I would investigate so I took my Shield EZ apart and purposely pressed the grip safety while putting it back together. Sure enough, it became jammed so tightly that I was unable to move it in either direction. I could not disengage the grip safety and the position of the external thumb safety made no difference.

After some quick research on the Internet it became obvious that this was a fairly common issue, but also very easy to resolve. I am going to show you in a few steps (with pictures) how to remove a stuck slide from the Shield EZ 9 mm.

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How to fix your Shield EZ When the Slide Gets Stuck

Shield EZ slide is stuck almost all the way on
The slide goes almost all the way on but gets stuck.
Shield EZ Grip Safety lever is stuck
The grip safety lever is stuck in and you cannot get it to pop back out.
Shield EZ Take down lever will not move in either direction
The take down lever will not move in either direction.
Hammer with plastic soft tip
Get a small hammer with a soft plastic tip so you will not damage the gun. Alternatively, apply 2 layers of duct tape to a hammer with a metal head.
Strike the back of the slide in the direction of the front of the gun
Lightly strike the back of the slide several times until the slide comes free.
A few taps and the slide will be released
After a few light strikes, the slide will move forward on the frame and your gun is fixed.
Lock the slide back using the slide stop WITHOUT pressing the grip safety.
Now move the slide all the way to the rear WITHOUT PRESSING THE GRIP SAFETY!
Move the slide stop back to its original position and release the slide stop.
Rotate the take down lever counter-clockwise to the 3 o’clock position, release the slide stop and allow the slide back to its forward position.

Now you are all done and your Smith & Wesson Shield EZ is fixed and ready to go to the range.

Fix A Stuck Slide on a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 9mm Video

If you need step-by-step instructions on the entire cleaning procedure from beginning to end, click the following link.

How to Field Strip and clean your M&P Shield 9mm EZ Pistol.

Please leave any questions or comments in the comment section below.

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11 thoughts on “How to Fix a Stuck Slide: M & P Shield 9mm EZ”

  1. Thanks, I thought I was the only one stupid enough to do this. I haven’t even fired the gun yet. Just trying to get familiar with it and clean off any factory gunk.
    My jam is a little different than you describe. The front rail is not engaged at all – so the slide is cocked up. The grip safety is stuck but the takedown lever moves freely.
    I haven’t tried the hammer yet for fear of breaking something on a brand new pistol.
    Any advice??
    Jerry Lindmeyer
    jlindmeyer@comcast.net

    Reply

    • Jerry, thanks for the comment and question! I know what you mean about the slide being cocked on the frame. I would suggest using a plastic tipped hammer and just keep gently tapping the back of the slide as shown in the video and hopefully it will come loose. Just keep in mind it may be damaged if it is really jammed. If you are concerned, call Smith & Wesson and ask their advice. They may want you to send it in for service.

      Dave

      Reply

      • Thanks, I thought I was the only one stupid enough to do this. I haven’t even fired the gun yet. Just trying to get familiar with it and clean off any factory gunk.
        My jam is a little different than you describe. The front rail is not engaged at all – so the slide is cocked up. The grip safety is stuck but the takedown lever moves freely.
        I haven’t tried the hammer yet for fear of breaking something on a brand new pistol.
        Any advice??
        Jerry Lindmeyer
        jlindmeyer@comcast.net

        Reply

        • Jerry, Yeah, I looked at the video but it is little help. Can I email you at your comcast address? I would like, if you don’t mind, to reply with some close up pics of your problem and maybe I can look at my gun and figure out how to fix it.

          Dave

          Reply

          • Sure it’s ok to use my jlindmeyer@comcast,net email.
            I’ll take the photos today.
            I replied to S&W and told them it didn’t work. I haven’t heard back yet.

  2. OK, I finally got it. I used a small hammer from my wife’s tool kit with 4 layers of duct tape and tapped it three times. I then could wiggle it and push it out. It seems more difficult to do this than other guns I have, definitely not EZ. Also the slide stop lever is not EZ.

    Reply

  4. I had got my slide stuck in a similar way due to me not paying attention and orienting the slid pin incorrectly. Though a different cause, your fix proved useful! thank you for your research.

    Reply

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