So my 9mm shield is on its way back to s&w to be fixed. The take down lever spring, which normally resides in a slot in the locking block became dislodged during the firing of the  last round in the mag and bound up the slide. It provided a fair bit of resistance to even work the slide and ultimately to remove it from the frame.

I have no doubt s&w will fix this on their dime and based on a quick google search this issue appears to be some what common.

I'm curious to see if anyone here has experienced this issue, had it corrected, and then had it ultimately reoccur?

Given that I often carry this pistol, the potential for reoccurrence is weighing on my mind.

Aside from the ungodly effort to use the slide release, mine have both shot great.

I don't think it humanly possible to use the thumb release with just one thumb...

My three fullsized M&P 9s are opposite.  

If I slam a fresh magazine home, they release and close nearly every time...  Supposed to be that way on the Full Sized?

My slide release is terribly tight as well. I'm pretty much forced to come over the top on reloads as opposed to using the slide release.

I've experienced the same as you on fullsized M&Ps. Only ever had that happen to me a few times with glocks.

How many rounds do you have through your shield?  I only made it about 300 before my issue.

My Shield the release is impossible to use one handed, my FS 40 is very very easy and will go home when you insert a mag but lots of well used pistols will.

Got well over 1k through mine its a great gun. Never malfunctioned.

My take down pin broke while shooting and had them send me a new one under warranty and no issue sense.

shield 45 same with the slide release

It's more of a slide catch, not a slide release. Sling shot the slide fellas. Also shoot them more and break it in and it becomes a lot easier to use as a slide release.

First time I've heard of a Sheild breaking, they are very durable from what I've seen. But I have seen Glock's put out lemons here and there. These things happen.