I finally got it. I had to pull the trigger, with just the right amount of pressure, and ease the slide forward. Finesse went a long way in this case.
The guide rod still seems to be a bit loose, and I fear if I don't take extreme care every time I put it back together now- it'll do it again.
Weird that S&W would put a loose fitting part like that in a gun. The trigger sucks, too. Seems to be a pretty common issue with the new M&P's. I guess they got a new QC guy that likes to drink on the job or something
