M&P Sear Deactivation Lever 

Makes sense why they don't tell you about the trigger option in the manual. I found out on my own, but felt like I might be damaging something in doing so; thanks for clearing that up!

Just picked this up as my first handgun and the manual did a terrible job of explaining the sear deactivation lever. This video gave a lot of much needed info

Fantastic tutorial and explanation of the lever's purpose. Thanks for clearing up my confusion about the lever's purpose. As a casual shooter, I can't think of a single scenario where you couldn't afford to sacrifice the precious two seconds required to use the take down tool and the lever. Thanks again!

I noticed the intro had text saying that you cannot do this if you have a magazine disconnect feature, but if you somehow got stuck with that model, you can always remove the magazine disconnect and be good to go. Thanks for the video, good job

thankyou for explaining this. I have never used the sear deactivation lever to break the gun down i have always pulled the trigger. i looked down into the chamber and said "what is that little yellow painted lever went to my favorite resource youtube and now i know!!!!!

Thank you! I’ve been looking for what seems like forever on how to break my mp down without having to do that sear lever! 🤙🏻

Thanks for the comparison, was hung up on the deactivation lever, and the S&W M&P9 moves back up my list for a CC/Home use pistol.

This is one of those, “I was today years old” moments. Thank you for this video.

Best m&p tutorial. I switched to one at my when department and when watching videos about the stupid lever I thought it going to suck. Thank you for showing it’s not and those other guys are stupid.

Thank you! I have never used the sear deactivation lever but I wanted to know how to use it just because but I couldn’t find anything anywhere until your video. P.s. no, I didn’t read the manual. Thought I would admit this before anyone calls me out for my ignorance

The M&P full size is an excellent pistol. I prefer it over the Glock 17.

Good video, in my lifetime I've had the distinct pleasure with my Automotive background to rebuild at least three to four Carburetors in my lifetime. Most people don't even know what that is today, having the ability to do that me tinkering around with a deactivation lever or a Seer lever is no problem to repair or replace I'm thankful for that.

Thanks Much! Had my sear lever locked down and slide would not come off. With this video, I learned that I didn't need the sear lever to disassemble. So I got it appart and found a simple way to raise the lever!

I have a M&P 45 with the mag disconnect. Mine will come apart by pulling the trigger. I just re-insert the mag after moving the take down lever, let the slide forward and pull the trigger. The slide comes right off. The sear deactivation lever is designed to move the sear out of the way of the striker. If you don't move the sear, the striker can't get past it. It only makes sense that pulling the trigger will allow the slide to come off, Good video.

Excellent presentation. I liked the explanation of why S&W has a sear dis connector. Makes sense for people new to shooting. I have learned to remove the magazine, rack the slide slowly back and locking it, allowing the round in the chamber to fall through the mag well and into my hand. (I HAVE TRAINED MY SELF TO KEEP MY FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER.) Then I look through the mag well and onto the chamber for clear and safe.

Ads complexity not needed. But can see why they added it. Great video, thanks for posting that

Great video! Just got my first gun yesterday and I went with the SW-M&P9mm as illustrated in your video.

i just took mine out, along with the mag disconnect havent had any problems.

Love the simplicity of this explanation!...cant imagine that people cant figure out and appreciate this simple innovation by Smith & Wesson. LOVE this feature...simply for the reinforcement of trigger discipline. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU INTEND TO SHOOT. Its thats simple.

Also if by chance you get a loaded cartridge stuck in barrel for some dam reason you will thank the sear deativation lever is there to safely dissemble.

EXACTLY! I used the lever One time, and tried it the REGULAR WAY! STILL WORKS, THE REGULAR WAY! I don't understand why S&W even did that extra step, B.S.! I HAVE A G19, And I can field strip it and the SMITH, Just as fast! Imo, the internal trigger parts and design is MORE RELIABLE than the glock! It seems like glock trigger parts are Cheap and look cheap, compared to Smith. I have to always readjust the glock trigger bar/ sear , every 200-300 rounds. Smith and Wesson, NEVER had to do anything ever.

If some people are not smart enough to move the sear up and down for the take down. They probably shouldn't own a gun in the first place.

I don't have Mag Disconnect... they just make those for The Peoples Republic of California. I can't tell you how many times I've shot myself right in the head because I don't have Mag Disconnect...

Thank you. Makes perfect sense and I appreciate your perspective on it. I never messed with the lever and just pulled the trigger to break it down and was worried I had damaged it when I read that you have to push that down before you field strip. Thanks

THANKS. New shield owner here, great explanation. PS my son has a Glock great comparison.

Excellent information and description

great video. great explanation to people thinking the deactivation lever is an unneeded step. but, you also show you don't need to use the lever to break it down, Just pull the trigger but as you say, its the golden rule NOT to pull the trigger.

Good video! I had to research several videos before coming across yours to field strip properly. Others always left out important info to do it correctly. I own several other pistols and the mfg always have you squeeze the trigger while removing the slide. GOOD JOB! on your explanation.

The magazine disconnect presents more of a problem. I plan to remove mine so it's identical to the one I'm issued at work, which is why I got it in the first place. Its easier to stay qualified when you have the same gun at home as you do at work. Unlike my last job, the gun isn't a take-home and I don't own my duty weapon. Still, I personally prefer my PX4 type C, which I purchased as my carry gun for my last job in armored trucking because it was light years ahead of the revolvers they issue. The Beretta fits my hands like a glove & the field strip involves just pulling down the two takedown buttons and then sliding the slide forward and off. This is far easier than either a glock or the M&P. You don't have to pull the trigger at all or flip down a lever etc. All three guns are solid choices, but ergonomics and ease of servicing make me lean towards the PX4. In armored trucking and some lower paying security jobs, you have to provide more of your gear. I would also recommend the night sights.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm getting mine in 5 days and this sear deactivation lever thing, really had me confused, all clear now, will definitely be using the lever for safety measures, oh and did I say thank you.

Fantastic video! Thanks much. Also, "its not that GD hard" cracked me up.

Now this was an excellent video. Thanks alot, you really helped me out with your clear explanation of the sear and disassembly.

I shot both guns & they both are nice guns. I had a buddy that owned nothing but Glocks he shot a M&P & told me the feel all the way to the trigger pull was smooth & crisp. He even mentioned that he wish he had waited to buy a M&P!

First cleaning of my M&P Shield Plus the sear deactivation lever FELL OUT. No pin, with a little spring wedged into a niche with the deactivation lever, I presume, in place with no pin to pivot on and I'm shocked that it didn't come out while I was shooting. You know, if they did a proper install of that part, installed the pins, so that every other buyer isn't posting on forums that a part fell out, then it would be fine, no complaints. But the fact that it just FALLS OUT only draws attention to the fact that it's needless other than staving off lawsuits for the company. I could wedge it back in the way 'Smith had it, so it falls out while i shoot since it's just placed on a ledge between the coils of a spring, but lets grant that loose parts on a gun make it less safe and less functional and not excuse that. Do I want to send it back to 'Smith so they can have it for half a year so they can stick it, this time much better, maybe with a wad of chewing gum or tape rolled into a little ball? Granted the people who don't unload before they clean, it will save them for a moment until their next act of stupidity earns them their Darwin Award. I realize I sound terse; my Shied is brand new and this happened a half hour ago.

Very helpful and straight forward. Thanks for taking the time to explain.

The video helped me a lot.. Thank you

good video and explanation man

I have always done ot the trigger way, the way I was taught. Never messed with the lever, didn't reall yuh know! Lol. It's amazing what you can do when you don't know you can't !

As a new M&P owner, I thank you for this insight.

Omfg thanks god!!! This video help me out a lot! Thank you so much for clearing this up for me and explaining it more better then most of the video I have watch

My sear deactivation lever fell out on my brand new Talo edition shield the first time I took it apart to clean and lube it. I've owned several M&P's and have never had that happen.

ok so just to be clear, pulling the trigger to remove the slide is not bad for the gun and won't damage it? that's how i've always done it and only today learned about the sear deactivation trigger. it freaked me out for a minute thinking i was supposed to use it

I've noticed in a lot of videos showing break down of the M&P and fumbling around with the sear deactivation lever. I just wonder if it was the first time they broke the gun down. Maybe you just showed how easy it is. Good video

Thanks for the explanation 👍

I've been carrying Glock 19 for the last year because the M&P 9 full size range gun I tried was a complete POS. A year has gone by now & low & behold my new carry is an M&P 45 compact. I love them equally but when it comes to maintenance etc, the Glock still wins hands down. Don't get me wrong, M&P's are cake to work on. It's the tiny parts that can fuk up your day.

Do you live in California?? The m&p is made in a version which has a Mag Disconnect, which will not allow you to fire the weapon with the mag out. This version is out there and mandatory in some states like CA.

best m&p video ever. thanks for sharing

I also think that it's a genius way of reducing the number of cycles of the striker pin and spring. May not be much, but there's no sense in sending it if you don't have to.

Excellent tip!

Awesome. Putting your hands in front of the camera when you are trying to show us what to press & do.

I'm a woman with small fingers and I don't even have to use a pen or anything else to move the little lever thing down. I can reach it with my finger. Of course, you can just pull the trigger if you prefer, but I don't mind using the little lever. It's easy.

Why is it there? Ever break or any problems? Great video!!

Is this also the reason the M&P will not fire without a mag? I am looking to remove this feature, during a tactical reload your handgun is useless until the mag is replaced. There is comfort knowing you have one round ready in the chamber to fire with a tactical reload.

@shigeyuki9 That he was, but it always stuck with me.

THANK YOU!!!! Some people just double down on their ignorance 😑

I have a M&P 40S&W Full that i have owned for several years. i just came across your video and it never crossed my mind to try the trigger, as it makes perfect sense. One issue though, mine i cant get to break down using the trigger. I was wondering if you were aware of a revision over time with production, and S&W may have removed this option with the trigger, or if it may be a feature of only the 9mm. Thank You, Steven

Thanks for the no nonsense video..! :)

My lever won't retract. When I go to slide the mag in it hits the lever. I've tried to manually close the sear release but it won't move.

Very informative & to the point, thank you

No, I'm located in a gun friendly state :-). I tried following your video but i get to the point where you pull the trigger and the slide wont slide off. If not you then i hope someone else can advise as i'd be greatly appreciative in being able to have this functionality. I know it's minimal but i generally use the grip tool, so not having to remove that or carry another piece of equipment to preform a break down would be appealing. I'll see about making a video and see if i can attach it later

I have both a Glock 19 and M&P 40 full size. Pulling the trigger to field strip the guy doesn't bother me because I also keep the trigger pulled on both guns as a safety. So I end up pulling the trigger at some point rather it's to disassemble the gun or as a safety to store or holster. I wondered if taking down the M&P the Glock way instead of using the sear deactivate lever was putting extra wear on something, but it seems like it doesn't. To counter the fact of Smith and Wesson wanting to be safer to where you don't have to pull the trigger in order to disassemble. Smith and Wesson should fix the problem of when you put a loaded mag in the magwell with the slide back makes the slide slam forward loading the chamber before you wanting it to. You don't even have to do it that hard. In a gun fight it's better, but at the range I wouldn't want it to do that.

Can you tell me what the little hole right under the wavey part of the slide with the semi half arrow? Is there supposed to be a little pin inside that hole?

So i can remove the sear spring and pin and its totally fine? I dont want it in there since i have to remove the magazine disconnect (california)

You have to pull the trigger on a Springfield XD and XDM as well

Great video and very helpful.

I have a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 mm. I took the slide off and put the slide back on, but the slide release mechanism switch, whatever it's called, is not sticking out about 3/8 of an inch. Does anybody know how I can resolve this issue... Have a CCW class tomorrow. I would sure like to be up there with the gun that operates without someone to help me.

The 45 auto you have the use the lever it will not come apart by pulling the trigger.

I have the 2020 model and you can’t pull the trigger to release the slide I wish you could

It's called making a mountain out of a molehill.

I get the point of why S&W has the sear deactivation lever. However, it does not stop one from actually pulling the trigger, even if accidentally, so what the Point ?

Thanks for the video.

nice video. very informative.

Will you explain the stupid safety button how to activate?

@ stevenDezilla i tried the same procedure on my M&P 9 and pulling the trigger didn't work.Try with the sear deactivating lever in the upward position.Then pull the trigger to see if that might work.I got rid of the Magazine safety .

will it shoot with the lil shaved trigger bar trick. you no the lil thing guys been doing to their blank guns. they take the trigger bar off an shave the top part that sticks out on the top of the handle. an it suppose to fire full automatic

Does that level have any left or right play in it? ive noticed on mine, it seems like it wiggles a bit. and I only ever toch it with forward motion to pull it forward. Should I take mine to a smith and have it looked it?

help I have the shield and that clip fell out .. im new to this gun and was just going to clean it .. is it hard to get back in,, AZ

Can you raise the sear lever up before reassembling the slide without it damaging parts?

that what i'm facing, i have the mag disconnect. I just finished recording a video to throw up here on RU-vid and then it hit me. Thanks, I'll probably look into removing the mag disconnect, as it's not something i'm a bit fan of.

Why would they add something that tedious?

Good content!

ok the second way that u took down the M&P doesnt work on mine for some reason. would u have any idea y not?

Any way of telling if your pistol has the "magazine disconnect" feature?.... Other than the fact that the trigger won't active on the last step to remove the slide lol

I'm a G-Fanboy and my 43 was an excellent gun. But FOR ME, it was just a little too small and I had trouble getting a good grip on it out of the holster and on target. I took a chance on a Shield9 because of the rebate and was amazed at how well I shot it and that there was so little recoil.. I sold my 43 and bought a SECOND Shield. The recoil on the 43 was very manageable but when I put 100+ rounds through it during the same trip to the range, my hand started to get sore, which is not really a problem but - The Shield feels and shoots like a range gun - it's that good. My follow-up shots are faster back on target and i REALLY enjoy shooting this gun. Please no flame - this is very subjective and unscientific, but FOR ME, if you took a Glock 19 and a 43 and put them in a blender, the Shield would come out. It's as concealable as the 43 and, under 20 yards, shoots like the 19. It handles recoil like the 19 too. My 19 is still my HD and "go to war" gun, and I don't have any plans to sell it - but I have a feeling that I would really like the M&P full-size 9, based on my experience with the Shield. Pulling the trigger doesn't bother me and it's how I prefer to field strip my Shield. Whenever I take a gun apart to inspect or clean it I always do a function check afterwards, and that requires me to pull the trigger. I also like to dry-fire to practice drills at home, which also requires me to pull the trigger. As long as I pay attention and make sure there's no live ammo around (and I constantly check the chamber before pulling the trigger, life is good. YMMV...

Cannot see the SDL in the "up" position, nor in the "down" position.

Thanks!!

Easy to see with your paws in the way

S&W all day! If Glock is perfect, why do they use plastic sights?

OK. But, the sear deactivation lever fell out. How do I put it back in?

3:42 magic....

Excellent. Stated very clearly...almost idiot proof, as I said almost! :)

Boy, they sure mess this one up. Just something else to go wrong.. Gets bent or misaligned, you're 'ucked. If you can't figure out if your gun is loaded or not, you don't need an activation lever. Take a class or something.

good vid

Compacts do that....

My sear deactivation fell out, do I really need it?

I'm dumb and so wrong. Upon further investigation i had already deactivated the sear lever duh. So apologies for being a noob.

Lol your grandfather is funny And you know something he is rite lol

sometimes you can't fix stupid with some people when it comes to firearms and stripping them down

or remove the mag disconnect.

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