I’ve experienced the same thing. I guess it’s just the nature of the “beast”.
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Hello and welcome @Jack_L
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Welcome to the family brother @Mark499 and you are in the right place at the right time.
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Welcome to the family brother @David1262 and God bless you.
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Welcome to the family brother @Jack_L and you are blessed to be here.
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Not sure if it’s already been mentioned. If it’s still not broken in after 500 rds. You can just use your support thumb to pull/disengage the slide lock/slide release. It’s more “economy in motion” anyway since you’re gonna be on target/threat. Therefore your support thumb is supposed to be already forward anyway along the slide. Then just bang! Have fun!
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Welcome to the family brother @Julius5 and you are blessed to be here.
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Welcome to the Community @Julius5 .
Is there another method than the one you have explained? 
But seriously… the way to release the slide with lever you mentioned is the proper one… at least for 1911 pistols. I also found it better for keeping the master grip intact.
However with stiff slide stop lever in M&P M2.0, for left handed shooters, it is still a challenge.
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@Jerzees @Patrick151 Sling shot works too but that’s a very rare technique in pistol competitions like USPSA or IDPA where time and accuracy count. Like anything else it comes down to muscle memory i guess. FOUND A FIX IF YOURE INTERESTED 
ROUND THE EDGE. (EASY FIX) M&P Shield 9mm/.40 Stiff Slide Lock Fix - YouTube
Stay safe brother.
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For now, I will continue to break in my pistol, and see how it goes. Slingshot seems more reliable method for now. Thanks to everyone fir the feedback.
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EASY FIX… That’s what I posted 6 days ago.
With Shield this works perfectly, but more work, time and patience is needed to make it working with M&P9, especially for left handed.
But this is the idea what to do…
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Hello and welcome @Julius5
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Hi Patrick,
I recommend the over the top method to release the slide as it gives you more surface area (your whole palm) with which to pull the the slide. The sling shot method only allows for 2 fingers, heaven forbid you in a fight with bloody or slippery hands and you fail to rack the slide properly because your fingers slipped.
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Welcome to the family @Zebbie and you are in the right place at the right time.
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Hello and welcome @Zebbie
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I might tend to over analyze but, as a machinist for a few years in my working career, if the slide lock can wear after 500 rounds and get easier, what stops the wearing and after how many rounds does it no longer lock?
Also, I use the slingshot method with all my pistols but I can see the need for using a slide release if you’ve been reduced to one hand use during a shootout.
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I recently purchased a M&P ez for my wife, which I have been carrying and playing with since I got it for her, oops. That said it has a very nice trigger, for a factory setup, very easy to rack the slide but it also has the slide lock as opposed to the slide release. I have also found it very easy to use if you pull back on the slide just a touch as suggested by Jesse. Its a fun little pistol, although I still prefer my Springfield EMP4, which i just love.
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Good practice to slide back to release as that is a natural way to clear a possible malfunction. Also, if you slam in the new magazine correctly, the slide will automatically release. It takes some effort. Mine does this but I would not rely on that aspect in a situation.
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Most of my Sigs release easily one-handed. So do my Beretta’s ; )
Got rid of a couple Legions because of this lock vs release issue…
If you are injured and have only one hand available this becomes a more critical issue.
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Welcome to the family brother @Roland63 and you are in the right place at the right time.
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