FTE Problems w/ S&W MP-40

[New_geezer]

A friend new to guns bought a Smith MP-40 and has had consistent FTE problems with it from the beginning and even after sending it back to S&W twice for service. What's happening is the shell casing is being extracted from the chamber OK, but is getting caught between the slide and the top of the barrel breach. It's always the same, the casing is jammed lengthwise with the open end mangled against the breach top, never turned or stuck in any other fashion. Twist the gun slightly, pull the slide back slightly, the casing falls out and the next round feeds properly. Yesterday he took the gun out to test after just getting it back from S&W for the 2nd time. First clip fired OK and went downhill quickly. In one clip I shot, 6 out 10 rounds jammed the way described. I deliberately tried limpwristing the gun to see any effect, and oddly only 2 out of 10 rounds jammed. The return notices received say S&W so far have replaced the barrel, replaced the extractor, adjusted the ejector, fired tested and passed, yet the problems persist. FYI, my friend tried a variety of ammo from moderate priced to expensive (he doesn't trust cheap ammo) and all types jam with equal frequency.

I'm no expert so my questions are does anyone have insight as to what causes this? How many times should he return the gun to Smith before looking for an exchange? Will Smith make this good or will he end up taking a financial hit somewhere. IE take a loss thru trade in or having pay for a new California background check if Smith replaces the gun. (This is California). Or is he likely to get better treatment from the dealer regards an exchange.

Needless to say my friend is rather discouraged; he spent considerable time checking out the all the competing options before choosing the Smith. He really doesn't want his money back, he just wants a working, reliable gun and so far, this has been far from that.

 

[waynedm]

The spring is too much for it. I'm surprised they didn't replace that. Maybe they didn't understand what's going on. The slide actions enough back to eject the case out of the barrel but not far enough to hit the ejector pin resulting in the slide going back forward and jamming up. Try playing with different weight ammo to get more recoil. You could always just store the thing with the slide in the locked back position to try and break the spring in as well.

 

[Chris Rhines]

The ejector may be broken or missing.

- Chris

 

[New_geezer]

No the ejector was in place and they supposedly adjusted it.

I was thinking the spring as well. When he took the gun apart and I saw the spring I was surprised how robust it was. Reminded me of a car spring.

Smith should know what the problem was as he sent it back last time with a casing lodged in the problem position.

When it goes back to S&W again, would it be smart to suggest replacing the spring or are gunsmiths touchy about such things?

 

[waynedm]

When it goes back to S&W again, would it be smart to suggest replacing the spring or are gunsmiths touchy about such things?

Who cares? Tell them to do it.

 

[Smurfslayer]

Take a harder line

IMO a new handgun has a right to expect near flawless performance from any modern handgun available from any of our major mfgr's. This degree of failure with any factory ammunition is totally and completely unacceptable. Doubly so when you consider this particular firearm's market place !

I would call S&W customer service explain to the tech that you've sent it in once and you want a supervisor. I would express that this is a whole lot of bad press not to mention unacceptable. I would ask what it will take to fix the pistol from me and what specifically I could expect when it was returned to me. Next, if that commitment is not met, what would S&W do to make it right.

There's zero excuse for S&W sending a firearm back to the customer not working. It's shameful. If you're both able to replicate this scenario then clearly Smith wasted your friend's time and money the last time they allegedly replaced any parts. I'm no expert, but it seems to be a breach of the warranty agreement on their part.

If you have to keep sending it back for repairs it's worthless. It doesn't matter if you have an eternity warranty in that case.

I've always found S&W customer service excellent. Of course the only time I've had to send a gun in for an issue it was a used revo. that someoen else worked on... All other times it's been custom work.

Don't be shy about pointing them in the direction of this thread and let them know that if their determined to shrink their loyal customer base, this lack of QA & poor service is the path to it.

 

[nwilliams]

I bought an M&P .40 not too long ago and have probably put close to 500 rounds through it so far and its been problem free since day one. Sounds like something is out of whack with this particular one. I would take it back to the dealer and see what they can do, maybe they would have better luck dealing directly with S&W.