S&W M&P 9c clip problem/question

[Verbal Clint]

I just bought an M&P 9C and have an issue with the clips. The capacity of the clips are 10 rounds (10+1 for the gun). However, when I load the clip with the full 10 rounds, it doesn't "click", so it does not stay in the gun. When I load only 9 rounds, this problem goes away. This issue occurs in both clips that came with the gun, and also the additional S&W clip I purchased. Has anybody else had this issue? I can actually get the clip to fully set, but to do so, I have to push down hard on the slide with one hand and push up hard on the bottom of the clip with the other.

 

[Skribs]

I have the same issue with loading my XDM 40 to full.

My guess is it has to do with the limiter, because the 9C should be able to do 12+1 IIRC. I have no issues with my M&P in these regards.

 

[mgmorden]

Magazines, not clips .

Anyways - I don't have a C model, but my fullsize M&P originally came with 10-round magazines that have the same issue. I could get them to seat if I pushed REALLY hard, but I use the gun in competition and those mags would just fall back out of the gun with 10-rounds if I tried to change them at speed.

What I did to fix it was as follows:
S&W uses the same spring in their 10-round magazines as they do in their 17-round magazines. Its just compressed into a tighter space. You've got some room to spare there. Cut a coil off the magazine spring. If it works better, you're good to go. If not, cut a second coil off. It should work by then. If it doesn't, then I wouldn't take off a 3rd coil.

Also - the follower itself can be trimmed a bit in the back which can help some too. I did this on my magazines and while it didn't completely solve the issue like cutting the spring coils did, it didn't hurt anything either.

I'm at work so I don't have a pic of my followers I can show you but this pic from another forum should help.

You want to trim it to look like the one on the left - basically take the little "legs" off.

 

[Verbal Clint]

lol @ magazines. I don't know why, but I just have a habit of calling magazines "clips" when they're for a handgun.

I wouldn't really mind having to get a little rough with them, but I'm thinking about getting into IDPA (possibly shooting my first match tomorrow) and it's just impractical to have to screw with the gun that much during a reload. Since I've never disassembled M&P magazines, is it the same basic mechanics as 1911 mags?

 

[rcmodel]

Wouldn't you be reloading at slide lock??

They fit when the slide is locked back don't they??

rc

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Do you live in a <edit> state cause my 9c holds 12 rounds? If so cut a coil off the mag spring.

 

[jhb]

My m&p40 with 15 round mags wont seat loaded with 15 without a hard slam...so i have to slam it in. I can push all day and it wont catch. Even fiddling with the mag release and pushing really hard. Its annoying but i got over it.

 

[CZ9shooter]

RC makes a good point. Why not just lock the slide back first? Then the top round in the mag will not contact the underside of the slide, which is the only thing that I can imagine is causing the difficulty.

The only time this wouldnt work is if you were trying to ready the pistol to carry with an empty chamber.

 

[george burns]

I think you just need to not be afraid to push it hard. It won't break anything, and the spring should seat itself after a few days, I don't recommend smacking or hitting the mag to get it in. Also sometimes lubricating the spring and the mechanism that the bullet hits or slightly polishing it will help.
I have encountered some stubborn mags in my day and a good push always seated them

 

[MrBorland]

I'm thinking about getting into IDPA (possibly shooting my first match tomorrow) and it's just impractical to have to screw with the gun that much during a reload

As RC indicated, in IDPA, with few exceptions, reloads on the clock will be done after you've run the gun dry, so you'll be at slide lock.

If you're not shooting the IDPA classifier tomorrow, and unless there's a stage with a mandatory "tactical reload", you'll only have to load the gun with the slide down when told by the SO to load and make ready at the line. Just be sure you've fully seated the mag before you tell the SO you're ready for the buzzer.

Good luck tomorrow. Be safe and have fun!