New M&P9c difficulty w/ frame tool

[Phaedo1982]

I've shot my buddy's M&P9c and love the firearm. I'm a big Glock user and decided to pick up an M&P9c today.

The damn thing is a royal pain the ass to field strip. For some reason, the frame tool that came with my is almost impossible to get out and the slide release on the firearm also seems a bit difficult to use.

I think I might have to send it back to S&W, if it doesn't start to break in. My buddy's was never this bad. It might be because I had bought the dealer's display model, which may have had a lot of use from people looking at the firearm, but it definitely shouldn't be this bad to strip...

 

[eisenhow]

I've shot my buddy's M&P9c and love the firearm. I'm a big Glock user and decided to pick up an M&P9c today.

The damn thing is a royal pain the ass to field strip. For some reason, the frame tool that came with my is almost impossible to get out

First off, you don't have to use the tool. It's just a convienent way of not having to pull the trigger. Are you turning the frame tool 90 degrees before you try to remove it?

and the slide release on the firearm also seems a bit difficult to use.

It's s slide stop not a slide release, it says so right in the manual.

I think I might have to send it back to S&W, if it doesn't start to break in. My buddy's was never this bad. It might be because I had bought the dealer's display model, which may have had a lot of use from people looking at the firearm, but it definitely shouldn't be this bad to strip...

Good luck with your new pistol. If there is a problem S&W will fix it for you.

 

[fbirdquik6]

Just use whatever is lying around, be it a pen, pencil, paperclip, etc. The frame tool is nothing more than a rod. Or of course you can just pull the trigger and slide it off...........

 

[Phaedo1982]

First off, you don't have to use the tool. It's just a convienent way of not having to pull the trigger. Are you turning the frame tool 90 degrees before you try to remove it?




It's s slide stop not a slide release, it says so right in the manual.

Good luck with your new pistol. If there is a problem S&W will fix it for you.

Thank you, my friend, for the clarification. I was trying to get the tool out to change the palm swell to a larger version. I didn't realize that about the "slide stop." My bad.

Thanks guys.

 

[meth0d]

It's a little tough to get the "tool" out on my full size 40 but it's gotten easier with repeated removal. Haven't had any issues with the slide stop.

 

[Underwhere]

I had the same frustration and so I removed the pin.
I still don't understand the point of having that in there.

 

[Zarathustra11]

the first time removing the frame tool was the most difficult and I know what you're talking about it being a real pain, but do as eisenhow suggested and make sure you turn it 90 degrees first- or try your best to wiggle it to one side, once turned you should be able to get it off.

 

[Lauria]

I spent the better part of an hour trying to figure out how to get the stupid frame tool out. (Which I occasionally refer to as "The Butt Stick".) I eventually gave up. A friend later managed to get it out, but I honestly have never been able to do it.

The slide stop/release got loser with time, or maybe I'm just used to it now. Am I not supposed to be using the slide stop as a release?

 

[meth0d]

I spent the better part of an hour trying to figure out how to get the stupid frame tool out. (Which I occasionally refer to as "The Butt Stick".) I eventually gave up. A friend later managed to get it out, but I honestly have never been able to do it.

The slide stop/release got loser with time, or maybe I'm just used to it now. Am I not supposed to be using the slide stop as a release?

LoL @ butt stick...

I do both, that is use the stop/release and manually cycle the slide. I've heard/read that racking the slide is somewhat better as the full force of the recoil spring is employed to strip the round off the magazine and chamber it correctly; although I can see the argument that one might "ride" the slide into battery preventing the desired extra force from being applied. I think it comes down to personal preference, but either way gets the job done. YMMV

ETA: FWIW I tend to use the slide stop/release more frequently on my 1911 and work the slide on the 3 plastic guns shown in my avatar.

 

[Gammon]

I used the "frame tool" on my M&P 9 to change the grips with no difficulty and have never removed it since. I prefer to have it as tight as possible to prevent an accidental loss at an inopportune time. I also removed the wire thingy and pull the trigger to release the slide. The slide stop is also a slide release and anyone who disputes this is a bit anal.

 

[Underwhere]

I used the "frame tool" on my M&P 9 to change the grips with no difficulty and have never removed it since. I prefer to have it as tight as possible to prevent an accidental loss at an inopportune time. I also removed the wire thingy and pull the trigger to release the slide. The slide stop is also a slide release and anyone who disputes this is a bit anal.

Agreed. I think I took your suggestion Gammon when I removed the stupid doohickey.
I don't want to pull the butt-stick in and out too much out of fear that the butt will get too loose. I want that butt tight!

 

[TonyT]

I remove the slide off my S&W M&P9 much as I did with my Glocks. I drop the striker on an empty chamber , line up the cut on the side of the barrel with the slide release and turn the slide release.

 

[meth0d]

Agreed. I think I took your suggestion Gammon when I removed the stupid doohickey.
I don't want to pull the butt-stick in and out too much out of fear that the butt will get too loose. I want that butt tight!

Sorry to drift, but how hard is it to remove the mag disconnect?

 

[wolf223]

another option is to lightly file or grind down the two notches on the tool, makes it a little easier to turn 90 deg. and remove (pull). that's worked for me, although i seldomly remove it. if i do, it's to change pack strps... unless your frequently letting other people shoot your guns, i don't see how one would need to remove the pack straps often... even then, it would be ______ often?

for "cleaning" i'll use a pen or pull the trigger (glock style)

 

[Garys]

I didn't even know that was called a frame tool. I just thought it was the pin to hold the back strap in. Mine comes out pretty easily if I turn it 90 degrees. Since I found a back strap that's comfortable, I haven't had to touch it. The only take down problem I have is that I always forget to flip down the sear deactivation lever. Once I remember that, it's easy. I've even been able to flip it down using my small finger.

If you haven't already done so, field strip, clean and lubricate the firearm.

As to using the slide stop/release to release the slide I've always been taught that it's better to pull back on the slide and release it to chamber the first round. Less chance of a jam that way.