M&P 45 Reassembly Difficulty

[gtmtnbiker98]

Dissasembled and cleaned the new M&P 45 and for some reason, the slide will not go back on the frame. The sear disconnect is down and the slide gets to a certain point and will not go on all the way. This is my third M&P and have never experienced this issue, what can be wrong? The recoil spring and guide rod are properly seated, the take down lever is down and the sear disconnect is down. What could be stopping the slide? When I put pressure in attempt to reconnect the slide with the frame, the trigger moves a bit so I stop the use of force.

Figured out how to finally get it back on. Had to depress the stryker retaining pin to push the stryker forward. Once I performed this additional step, the slide went on and function tested fine. So, why is this necessary as compared to my full-size M&P 9 and M&P 40? What am I missing here?

Expert help is welcome and appreciated!

 

[SWATcashJeremy]

I have an M&P .45 and the only thing that I need to do to reassemble it is to hold down the lever while I push the slide back and then release it after the slide passes that point and keep pushing the slide back.

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

What lever? Do you mean the takedown lever? Shouldn't that be down anyway?

 

[SWATcashJeremy]

I'm guessing thats what he's having issues with, but not sure

 

[boomstik45]

It's NOT necessary. Sounds like a defect, and I think I know what it is. Tell me, is the slide stopping about 1" or 3/4 of an inch before it's supposed to be back on "flush"? If it is, that means that the striker retaining pin is not pushing in when the trigger bar contacts it. Take the slide off and look at the frame. On the right side, toward the rear of the frame, you can see the part of the trigger bar/spring assembly that sticks up. Pull the trigger a few times, it is the part that sticks up and moves back and forth as you pull and release the trigger.

This part is what should depress the striker retaining pin (which has a spring attached to it that you cannot see) when it makes contact with it. If you look at the frame, you'll notice how far from the rear of the frame this trigger bar part is. Now look at the slide. Look at the cocking serrations on the slide. The little round striker retaining pin is probably adjacent to about the third slide serration from the rear (I think). The trigger bar part that is sticking up is about right above the "M" or "P" in the weapon's serial number.

So, when trying to get the slide to go back on, you'll notice that it stops right about where the "m" or "P" in the serial number matches up with that third slide serration. That's how you know the contact between retaining pin and trigger bar is where the problem is. I can explain the where, but not necessarily the how. I believe it's a simple matter of spring pressure or bluntness of the trigger bar piece. It has nothing to do with the actual function of the gun. I know because I had the exact same problem with a brand new out of the box M&P .40. Tested it by firing 200 rounds through the gun and it was flawless.

It is possible that a number of rounds through the gun (say...500) would solve the problem by wearing the gun in. However, best bet is to send it to Smith and Wesson, explaining the problem. Hope my comments weren't too confusing.

To answer an earlier question: yes, the yellow disassembly INSIDE the frame as well as the exterior takedown lever should both be down when disassembling or reassembling the weapon. However, if you haven't noticed, it isn't NECESSARY. To disassemble, one need lock the slide to the rear, pull down the external take down lever, and ease the slide forward. Then pull the trigger, and the slide will come right off. The yellow lever inside is for people who don't want to pull the trigger (like on a glock or xd).

 

[KelTecian]

send it back to Smith...if you bought it in the last week or so take it back to the dealer. I have had dealer just write up paperwork and exchange defective guns for new ones outta thier safe for free.

 

[brownie0486]

Over on the M+P forum, pulling the trigger to get the slide off has been diagnosed as a direct relationship to failure of an internal part if done too often.

Do it by the book, whether it can be done another way or not.

Brownie