New M&P 9mm failure.

[afvoo52]

I posted this on other forums, I am not real happy. I bought a new M&P 9mm full size yesterday, I cleaned it and lubed it as I do all my new guns. I went out to my range this morning with several box's of factory ammo to shoot for grouping and point of impact. I got the first 5 off OK, then the next 5 I loaded I had a failure to extract. The casing was still in the barrel and the slide was back. I then fired the rest OK. I then loaded 10 more of another brand and had yet another failure to extract, same thing still in the chamber and slide back. The cases were easy to remove, and the empties were not going far at all some at my feet. I then loaded another magazine of five and same deal with yet another brand. I had failures with Winchester, Federal, and Speer.

I then went to the S&W forum and what do I see, A post about a Cal. Sherrif's dept banning these same guns M&P 9mm from the approved list due to numerous problems including a barrel breaking in HALF!! I am not real happy considering S&W had problems with these guns from the get go and it seems they just keep making them and selling them. Where the heck is Q/C and why haven't they adressed these issues. This is a brand new 2009 gun the dealer just got in! I own Sigs, XD's, Taurus's, CZ's and a $240.00 Keltec P11 that has seen hundreds of rounds ZERO problems! I pay $600.0 for a gun that it seems is plagued with problems and they call it Military and Police! I guess S&W feels the profit margin is worth more than officers and soldiers lives! I almost bought another CZ or XD, now I am ssoooo peeved at myself it isn't funny! Out of 50 rounds, I had 4 FAILURES! I just bought a new XDm a couple weeka ago and have fired well over 200 problem free rounds.

I am not limp wristing it either, I have shot semi's for years and have never had a gun do this. I shot it off the bench and standing, same issues.
yes I can send it back and hope they fix it, but considering the other problems how am I supposed to have faith in this gun to protect me and my family. Then the shipping cost and the time waiting. I am not sure I am even going to bother, I may just take my losses, bring it back and tell the dealer the problem, trade it, and forget S&W for GOOD! I never have had ANY problems with my 3rd generation Smith's, I am just disgusted, its not like they aren't aware, seems like more CEO greed.

 

[nelson133]

I got 2 M&Ps abotut 1&1/2 years ago. The full size .45 has been great, the compact .40 had problems. S&W paid for shipping both ways and fixed the problem. If this is a new gun, there is no way you should have to pay shipping either way.

 

[afvoo52]

Just got off the phone with S&W, of course they said the M&P series has had ZERO problems, then I mentioned the Sherrifs dept in Cal. and they said it was only 1 batch that was isolated, Yet I keep reading more problems. They are sending a shipping label and they said about a 2 week turnaround on pistols right now. Just upset that I have so many trouble free guns, including my 3rd Gen smith's and I get this one and I can't even get off 50 rounds without 4 failures.
I hope they get this taken care of because it seems like its got good balance, and its light with Hi-cap.

 

[strangelittleman]

My Dept. has had numerous problems w/ our M&P40s. My issue pistol has been back to the Armorer twice since last summer due to prmature slide lock-back and then the slide not wanting to go home period, whether empty or w/ loaded mag in place.
There have been approx 8 or 9 dept pistols in our region w/ this same problem.....
The 3rd gen pistols are great, but I have little confidence in the M&P series, at work we call them F.A.G.S ( Fake-a**ed Glocks)
I would rather be carrying the S&W 65s we traded in....

 

[BP Hunter]

It sounds like the extractor may be cracked. This is what happened exactly with my Taurus 24/7 pro. I bought it a few weeks ago second hand, with regrets. The first few rounds did not extract. I then tried different brands of 9mm ammo. Some where good and but most of the time it would not extract 1 out of 6 bullets. I disassembled the gun and noted that the extractor was cracked. Just feel the extractor, it should be smooth. Better yet, get a good magnifying glass and good lighting and examine it. I took mine back to the gunstore and they were going to replace the extractor for free. I haven't gotten it back. Good luck.

 

[jdh]

I bought one of the first 1000 M&P40s made. No problems.

I bought a M&P45. No problems

Traded for a second M&P45. No problems.

Bought a M&P9c. No Problems.

Bought a M&P9L. No problems.

I shot the crap out of the 40 and shot a bunch more out of it with a 357 sig barrel.

The prior owner of the used 45 said he had about 500 through it and i have another couple hundred.

The new 45 is up to about 300.

The 9c is getting close to 1k.

The 9L is new and only has about 150 trhough it.

Either I am extreamly lucky with mine or you guys are cursed. Just remember the squeeky wheel is the one that gets noticed. The wheels that keep on silently turning don't draw attention. Same with guns. The only ones who get on the internet and voice their views are the ones who are unhappy. Those of us who are satisfied are too busy running up the round counts on our M&Ps than sitting on the internet whinning.

 

[strangelittleman]

I don't think anybody here is "whining".
I'm sorry if we've upset you by stating the facts of the problems of the products we've either bought or have been issued.
I really like the ergonomics of the M&P and readily admit that it is the lightest recoiling .40 I've ever shot.
I have no money, self-esteem, nor ego invested in the M&P series, only my life, my partner's life and the public's safety. I'm only stating that my confidence is somewhat shaken since the issued pistols are having problems...So good luck in attaining your high round counts when you're shooting paper, I only have to have mine work, should I have to shoot for blood.....

 

[n00bdave]

While it sounds like there may be *some* cause for concern by a few M&P owners, I think the OP might be over-reacting just a little bit. Give S&W a chance to make it right, and if the pistol still has failures, then air your grievances. No mechanical device, even when mass produced, is exempt from churning out a lemon every now and then.

Of course, it's easy for me to say this when I didn't lay down $600 for a pistol, huh?

 

[harmon rabb]

Thankfully, it's a s&w. They'll make it right at no charge to you.

 

[jdh]

My comment was for the OP to take what he reads on the internet with a grain of salt. People are quick to complain at the slightest little problem and try to make it out to be the greatest POS to ever be forced on the buying public without even giving the manufacturer a chance to make it right while those who are happy with the product seldom just go post to random web sites "hey I just bought the greatest device ever designed".

Pehaps, however, in this case there may be more truth in the observation than meets the eye. Or if I may butcher a famous quote, Methinks thou doth protest to much.

 

[strangelittleman]

JDH, you're absolutely right! I apologize for being harsh, I often times am.
People probably should make more positive, abeit objective, posts about great products and/or customer service experiences they encounter. We really do need to hear the good along with the bad, so that more people can make a better informed decision on future purchases.
On the positive side, S&W has really come through helping the Dept.'s armorers to diagnose & rectify the problems that have been encountered with it's early run of M&P40s.
S&W's Great Customer Service means alot!

 

[Mags]

No problems from my M&Pc 9 or my buddy's M&P45. I don't think the M&P seris has a mass failure rate such as the SR9 or the next gun to have a mass recall but from reports on the internet it doesn't look good for the M&P. I trust mine every day as my CCW.

 

[HoosierQ]

There is a tendency to slam these guns on forums. I too have had some odd problems with my .45 but they fixed it, gave me a free mag, paid shipping both ways, and did it all between Feb 2 and Feb 9 of this year.

I know it is upsetting...I was...but S&W will make it right and you'll have a great gun. I have two.

I think basically there are just so many out there that, as a mechanical device, some have problems and they get press on the Internet.

 

[10-Ring]

This is one reason why I've stayed away from the M&P & the XD's -- there just isn't as big a user base as other poly guns. Hate to see someone have such problems from their new pistol....at least S&W is standing behind their pistol to make it right & since there are many other owners of this pistol, this fix should be it -- good luck

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This sounds like an extractor problem. It would be better, of course, if you didn't have to use it, but S&W's customer service is good and they will likely e-mail you a shipping label.

My own 9mm compact M&P was flawless - 100% perfect functioning. It was a casualty of the economy.

 

[Legasat]

I have had my 9mm FS M&P for about 18 months. No problems.

Don't let the Cal Sheriff thing bother you. There is MUCH more at work here than a gun that failed. Very political. And still a LOT we don't know.

There are over 750,000 M&P's in use. NO GUN Manufacturer IS PERFECT. I have read problem threads about Glock, SA, SIG, H&K, Kimber, and every other maufacturer.

The M&P is great gun.

Sorry you are having problems, but let S&W make it right. You won't be sorry.

 

[distra]

I bought an M&P40 about month after they came out and had light strike issues that were fixed very quickly. I've had no problems after that initial fix. My M&P 45c was missing a pin holding the sear disconnect lever in the sear block. I was a little disappointed in the QC, but it was fixed in less than week. I have put through several hundred rounds through both without any problems after these initial issue. I agree that brand new gun should NOT have these problems. Clearly, S&W stands behind their work, but IMHO these guns should not have left the factory.

 

[Davionmaximus]

OP... I like you would be kinda ticked. That being said, Smith's customer service is famous for being steller. Give them a chance to make this right.

If they can't/won't... then slam 'em!!

 

[rbernie]

I never have had ANY problems with my 3rd generation Smith's, I am just disgusted, its not like they aren't aware, seems like more CEO greed.

I have put tens of thousand of rounds downrange thru an M&P without any breakage. You got a bad one, and you need to let S&W make it right.

They will.

 

[gglass]

What a hissy fit, for something that will be made right as rain by S&W. (If it is anything more than a break in issue.) I especially like the way you throw the Sheriff's slam letter in as some sort of proof of a large scale problem.

Let's just stick with your ONE Sheriff's department as an example of how bad the M&P platform is. Out of the more than 370 LE departments that have chosen the M&P for carry since it was introduced in 2006, this appears to be the only one that has publicly announced issues worthy of dropping the M&P for consideration. (It has since been learned that the sheriff has only approved Glock and Beretta for years.)

Now let's just look at a quick Google search for Glock issues with LE departments...

NYPD Advisory - Effective 20 February 2003 all Glock Model 26 pistols in the E serial range of the current "non-recall" have been banned from carry by NYPD MOS. They are instructed to cease carrying the weapon and contact the Firearms Training Section for instructions concerning replacement.- Lt. Sean McMahon

Albuquerque, N.M. - The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department has discovered a problem with its new Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic handguns.An inspection turned up two more broken guns says Deputy Robert Ray. Ray, the departments armorer, says that on some newer versions of the gun, two pieces of steel in the lower portion of the weapon were improperly machined. Those pieces may be prone to breaking under the stress of repeated firing.

Portland Police Chief Derrick Foxworth is ordering all officers to transition to the use of 9mm handguns after recent mechanical failures of the Glock .45 caliber handgun. During the week of March 1, 2004, two failures occurred during firearms training.The transition to the 9mm handguns will be handled in such a manner as to ensure that officers continue to provide the same level of service to the community. - PIO Cheryl Robinson

The Tribune-Star - Indiana State Police will receive new Glock 9 mm handguns as a result of functional problems with their current Glock 40-caliber handguns.About 50 guns that were identified as dysfunctional through a manufacturer defect will be replaced, said Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts. The manufacturer is replacing the guns at no cost to State Police, Watts said. No timeline has been set for when the new handguns will arrive. When they arrive, police will be trained on their use. State troopers can carry one of the new, replaced handguns or the gun previously carried, a Beretta 40-caliber, he said.

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois State Police troopers soon will be carrying new pistols after officials said a malfunction in one of the most popular police weapons could have killed an officer if left unchecked. Glock Inc., based in Smyrna, Ga., will replace all of the agency's 2,270 Glock Model 22 handguns at a significant discount, although it disputes a state police claim that it altered the model to compensate for a design flaw.

Here is the most recent:

Milwaukee Police Department Finds Problems With Guns

Posted: April 17th, 2009 01:30 PM EDT

Story by wisn.com

MILWAUKEE --

The Milwaukee Police Department found that there is a serious problem with its guns.

Officer Vidal Colon was injured over the weekend in a shootout, in which his gun jammed.

The police chief has known about the problem for a year, but he is now taking immediate action following Saturday’s shooting.

The chief sent a memo to the entire police department about the weapon problem.
On Saturday, Colon responded to a report of a man armed with a gun near 36th and Scott streets.
Colon fired his gun 13 times, and the suspect, Louis Domenech, shot back six times, refusing to drop his weapon, said police.

Both men were hit, and police have been investigating the shootout. They learned that one bullet casing had stovepiped, or jammed, in the officer’s weapon.

Police said stovepiping can be caused by technique depending on the position of the gun.

But, the memo to the department revealed that the problem could be with the gun itself.

"We had experienced a number of issues on the range with our issued Glock model 22, .40 caliber duty pistol magazines, which represents 45 percent of our issued weapons," said Flynn in the memo.

The chief became aware of the problem in January 2008. Since then, "Glock has replaced 2,700 pistol magazines at no cost to the Milwaukee Police Department," said Flynn in the memo.

The memo also said that the department addressed the issue with officers during a 2008 in-service firearms training session.

But, according to the memo, 300 weapons have been transitioned while 600 remain.
On Thursday night, training division personnel are exchanging the magazines in the remaining 600 firearms.
The memo went on to say that due to an abudance of caution, the academy will be operating 24 hours a day for the next three days or until the magazines have been replaced.

Flynn also said the protocol in issuing the magazines made the most sense because the only malfunctions reported were taking place at the shooting range.

I can appreciate that you feel some frustration that your firearm is not 100% out of the box. But, to slam the quality of the M&P line by dredging up one LE department's slam letter and a few unqualified stories of dissatisfied users is completely disingenuous. If you would paint the M&P line as lacking in quality... How then would describe the quality of Glock pistols, since they have many more dissatisfaction stories with LE departments?

 

[Yosemite**Sam]

Legasat said:

Don't let the Cal Sheriff thing bother you. There is MUCH more at work here than a gun that failed. Very political.

Do you have some sort of inside knowledge that there are politics at play, or are you merely expressing your own opinion?

 

[gmh1013]

A friend bought one in 9mm and let me shoot it compared to my SIG pro.
He paid 550 and I paid 439.
The Smith has one FTF out of each clip. I have never had one in 800 rounds.
He is going to a gun show this weekend to unload it....and he said its the last Smith he will ever buy.
Hate to say this but for a tupperware pistol I would get a Glock....and I would never buy one.

 

[Kindrox]

If the OP was talking about a Bersa, there would be lots of posters bashing them for being trash. Knock a S&W and it is just a bad gun.

Which is very likely true. Let S&W take a crack at fixing it, then get back to us. A friend got a compact S&W M&P 9mm, no complaints.

I am a retailer (non-gun) and I have a dim view of 1-in-1000 customer that has a problem with something that is a good product, then running around with a sour mouth before giving anyone a chance to make things right. I think some people think that a sour mouth from the get-go will get them better customer service but that is not the case.

 

[afvoo52]

Sorry for the rant, just SSOOO disappointed. I realize S&W is a good company and I have Always held them up there with Sig, HK and other top of the line guns.
I was just really disappointed more than anything. I have ssoo many S&W 3rd gens and revolvers with thousands of rounds and no problems at all. I have come to trust S&W to be a reliable trust worthy gun out of the box. I also wonder if the slide to frame fit is too tight. I had all I could do to get the slide off. I wonder if its slowing the slide enough to cause an extraction failure. The slide did seem to be going all the way back, because it jammed the fresh round into the empty. N.H. state Police just got the 45 M&P series and from what I am told they are 100% and they love them. I wonder if this is a 9mm issue, and perhaps a parts supplier problem.

Then to have the rep tell me they have had ZERO problems and never heard of this!!! I really got PEEVED about that. Like I am the problem not the gun. He didn't say send it back until I mentioned the Sherrifs dept issue!! I do not enjoy being BS'd, thats insulting. I expected better from S&W, I had an old High Point 9mm carbine that had problems, when I called, the guy was personable, and said sorry to hear it, send it in we will fix it, and they did. Had it back in 10 days 100%. Now that I DIDN'T expect from an inexpensive gun. I know Smith will make it good.

I also would have expected this from a lesser gun, you buy a BMW you expect the thing to make it out of the parking lot, you buy a Yugo your lucky to make it out! its real hard to trust that Beemer after, especially if your life depended on it. I have to wonder if with the HIGH demand for guns right now if things aren't being pushed to the envelope. Even so, the consumer should be #1 not quantity. I have always put S&W right up there with Sig and H&K with their top of the line Smith's. Even my value series 40 has been 100% for years. I am also sad to see a gun geared toward the military and Law having a contiuation of problems. Guns like these should NOT have a hundreds of round break-in. How many LEO's or servicemen are really going to fire that many rounds before the gun gets in the field. Lives depend on these. When I read the S&W hype and its Military and Police, you expect a little better.

I may have been very lucky with guns, I have not had this happen with a quailty gun before. I have actually only had this happen with some 22's and one real cheap foreign semi years ago. I have to have owned at least close to 100 guns in 35 years and still have many. I also just bought 3 other guns in the last 5 weeks and they have been 100% reliable. Taurus OSS, Sig Mosquito ( except velocitor ammo ) and a XDm 40. I have put hundreds through these. I also realize other companies have had problems, but I feel when ANY company gears their product toward LEO and the Military, they need to be HONEST about either potential or earlier problems and not look at the bottom line. Like I said LIVES depend on it, issue a bulletin.

I hope the M&P series does become an Icon, its a nice looking, nice balancing gun, and from the few rounds I did fire ( under 50 ) it seems accurate.

 

[Kleanbore]

I am a retailer (non-gun) and I have a dim view of 1-in-1000 customer that has a problem with something that is a good product, then running around with a sour mouth before giving anyone a chance to make things right.

One in about seventy five thousand, if you're counting pistols.