Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm Problem

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J-Dog, I have heard of this happening before. Some people call it a good feature and like it, but if your friend does not like it, he should give S&W a call. They will take care of him.

Ron
 
My friend just bought a new M&P .40 cal and every time he puts a loaded mag in the gun the slide locks forward and a round is chambered without even touching the slide release. He isn't slamming the mag into the gun or anything either, anyone else have a problem with this or know what it might be?
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That's not uncommon with polymer framed pistols. My understanding (which could be off) is that the frame is able to flex enough that the slide stop is released. I've had it happen but I don't care for it, nor do I trust it. Doing a chamber check is essential or (preferably if you intend to use the weapon for defense) work the slide to be sure you have a round in the chamber.
 
M&P 9 compact - new gun feed problem

I just bought my first pistol - M&P 9 compact and experience some failure to feeds (about 5 or 6 out of about 100 rounds) and 2 extraction problems. This happened on the first mag I put in it with FMJ standard rounds. The other mag that came with it didn't give me any problems. Another thing I noticed was the slide was not locking open after the last round was fired - when I was experiencing the problems...this seemed to start working well after about 50 rounds.

The last 50 rounds or so the gun started working properly with both mags. I'll keep firing it to see if the problem returns but am wondering if it could have been the magazine or if it's common for a new gun to need "breaking in"...or if I may have another issue altogether.

I have been renting guns at the range to try them all out and have never experienced any feed or extraction problems so I don't think it's anything I'm doing. A little concerning when it's my gun that I have experienced ALL the problems I've ever had....and those rentals include an M&P 9, XD-9, G26, SigPro, XD-40, XD-45, G17, and a bunch of others...
 
limpwristing is largely urban myth that is most often explainable by other more tangible physical causes
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I disagree. I've seen it with my own eyes.

My sister was shooting my .25ACP Beretta Jetfire, she was a total newbie to shooting. She was getting a "stovepipe" about every third shot. I only had one mag, but the gun never failed me. I loaded up a mag and had perfect function when I shot it. So I loaded up another mag full and stood off to the side while she shot.

What was happening was her grip was so light that the little gun was following the empties during recoil and the slide literally snatching them out of the air on the way forward. Most bounced of the slide but the ones that didn't stovepiped. Got her to firm up her grip and the problem went away.

Guns that eject more to the side than up are less likely to suffer this but if the hold is such that the gun in recoil trajectory follows the empty's trajectory I can see no reason it would be impossible for any auto loader. If the gun has issues that cause "weak" ejection then the propensity would be magnified.

--wally.
 
M&P 9 & M&P 9c approx. 3000 rounds between the two and 100% reliability.
As far as the slide going into battery on a reload I'd consider thet a plus.
 
-1 on the M&P

I'm not trying to flame anyone's pistol preference, but was talking with my friend who serves with HPD. He said that Smith doesn't have a single pistol on the department's "Recommended" list anymore. He has moved from his old Smith .40 (I forget which model) to a Glock.

I see LOTS of +1's on these pages for M&Ps, but if a major metropolitan PD rejects it as a primary sidearm, that's telling me something :uhoh:

Quoheleth
 
OK, did they just move away from S&W completely, or did they drop the M&P in particular? By that same logic, my PD has "rejected" every Glock handgun model. Does this mean that Glock is bad? I don't think so.

You gotta know why they don't allow it. Most of the time the decision is made on some other criteria than the quality of the weapon.

Mike
 
Coronach - you're right; and I apologize for a general statement with no explanation. This guy's statement was they went away from Smith because they were concerned about the quality of firearms S&W is currently producing. In their trials at the HPD range, there were too many QC issues they perceived could/would put an officer at risk in situations. He didn't elaborate further; I assume (DANGER!) by this he meant feeding/extracting issues and not structural failure (in a combat situation, any failure is plenty dangerous, and not "just a jam"). When I see him SUnday, I'll try to get further clarification. But this didn't sound like a "we just don't like it because it's different" rejection, esp. since HPD has generally been a pro-Smith unit, recommending them for officer's to carry, as a whole.

Q
 
I hate to hear about all of the problems ya'll are having with your M&P's. Looks like they started making them a little too fast or something. Not to boast but mine (9mm compact) has eaten almost 1800 rounds (8 or 9 different types of ammo) with one bad case and a FTRTB on round #5. Most reliable gun I've ever owned (and one of the more affordable too). I will be back to read this thread again and properly address some of the ridiculous claims made here.

I think it was Mike that asked about the 9 vs 40 and from the posts at M&P forum it looks like the 9's are more reliable but I could be wrong about that.

To anyone who's reading this and considering a M&P purchase, remember that people are more likely to post bad experience than good. I just bought a Kimber against everything I've read and it is a great gun, despite what all of the negative posts say. Again, it's not been 100% like the M&P and cost a few hundred more. I would have bought a M&P45c instead if it was out yet.

FWIW (not trying to start a war, just my opinion) I would buy 10 more M&P's before I'd buy another brand polymer semi. It fits me and as Coronach said, fitment IS an advantage.

Like I said, I'll be back to this thread for sure. Some of these posts deserve a reply. :scrutiny:
 
Oh yeah, and I've perfected the reload/RTB in one motion and I love it. Saves me a second or two when competing (still can't count well enough to do a tactical reload half the time :eek: ). Yes I run IPSC with my CCW against lots of 1911's and full size glocks etc. Did my own 50% trigger job in an hour in my dining room (not lighter, just smoother). One more advantage over other polymer semi's. You can work on it yourself if you wish.
 
+1 to everything johndoe said above.

I love my M&P. No problems at all. Shoots low with 115gr but perfect with 145gr. Just what I use .. the bigger bullets anyway.
 
This guy's statement was they went away from Smith because they were concerned about the quality of firearms S&W is currently producing. In their trials at the HPD range, there were too many QC issues they perceived could/would put an officer at risk in situations. He didn't elaborate further; I assume (DANGER!) by this he meant feeding/extracting issues and not structural failure (in a combat situation, any failure is plenty dangerous, and not "just a jam"). When I see him SUnday, I'll try to get further clarification. But this didn't sound like a "we just don't like it because it's different" rejection, esp. since HPD has generally been a pro-Smith unit, recommending them for officer's to carry, as a whole.
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Odd, because this is the reverse of what my PD determined. ;) We used to field the 4506, and we were in the process of moving away from S&W because they were no longer making the 4506 and we didn't like what they were currently offering- until the M&P came along. I believe the Ordnance Unit was about to recommend shifting to the Glock 22 when S&W sent us some M&Ps. They ran the M&P through a pretty grueling test, which the M&P and Glock passed fine, but with which several other T&E pistols had difficulties.

The M&P then won on ergonomics in officer evaluations, and I'm also sure that S&W offered the city some purchase incentives in order to keep their business...but AFAIK, the decision by the T&E team was made without talking to the beancounters.

I dunno. It's working for us. I wonder if HPD's decision was made prior to the M&P coming out, or if they had some specific objection to the design?

Mike
 
Coronach said:
I wonder if HPD's decision was made prior to the M&P coming out, or if they had some specific objection to the design?
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Or if there were some type of politics that came into play as well.

I've had such good luck with my M&P9, that I bought it a little play buddy - the M&P9c.
 
I wonder if HPD's decision was made prior to the M&P coming out, or if they had some specific objection to the design?
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Or if there were some type of politics that came into play as well.
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You mean, police departments aren't immune from politics? <Gasp!> I am shocked <awed look>

Seriously...I dunno...good question as to "why?" On the flip side of the coin, though, I've seen several of our local constables who carry the Sigma which conventional wisdom deems one step above a piece o' junk. I'm keeping an eye out for one. It does look like $399 is the price to beat, though, on an M&P. My local Academy has it for $499, making Bud's a very significant sale price indeed.

Q
 
Q said:
You mean, police departments aren't immune from politics? <Gasp!> I am shocked <awed look>
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I know. I know. I was heartbroken when I first found out too.

Don't worry. Your faith in humanity and civil service will soon heal. :p

I was fortunate enough to find the $399 price on M&Ps at my local Fun store yesterday. With all the free goodies, low price, and a free range pass, it was simply more than my mind could process. I think I paid for it before realizing I committed to the purchase. :D

I would be interesting in hearing details about the HPD deal. The only reason I suspected politics was because of the fact that NO S&W firearm was on the approved list. Barring details of the list, it would be hard for me to believe that none of their revolvers were reliable. Sounds like high-rank had a bad Smith experience and said "no more!"

But, admittedly, it is all conjecture.
 
Yeah, it could have been a decision on something other than the merits of the design/make. Police departments- or, more specifically, the beancounters and elected officials- do that sort of thing all the time.

The other thing that could have happened is that HPD had a huge list of approved weapons and just decided to pare it down, or signed a contract with some other maker, and one of the stipulations was that the competition gets removed from the approved list.

Mike
 
Good point Mike.

Now...back to the good stuff.

I've read several people say the M&P40 handles the muzzle flip of the .40S&W round better than most polymers. You may have made this comment already, but I'm curious about your thoughts.

I have a Glock 22 and I like it a good bit. But it's a generation 2 (no rail). I would trade it in, but it was my first handgun and was given to me by my dad. So, I'm considering getting a full size 40 to go along with my full size 9 and compact 9.

But I'm not going to bother if it doesn't handle the round any better than the G22.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
John
 
Personally? I think the M&P handles the recoil much better than a G22. You really need to shoot one and see if it works that way for you. Most people I know who have shot both think that the M&P is better in the ergonomics/trigger/pointability departments. But some don't. It's very subjective.

And, don't trade or sell the Glock. Ever.

Mike
 
Coronach said:
And, don't trade or sell the Glock. Ever.
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No worries there. It is destined to be mine. It was stolen in a home burglary last year. I was heartbroken, but it was actually found and returned!

Some guys have winchesters or old shotguns handed down. My dad gave me a Glock. :D:D:D

My range doesn't rent the 40 M&P, but at the price, I think I'm going to go ahead and buy one and see for myself. Our local shop is running the full size and compacts (excluding the 45) for $399. That's really hard for me to pass up. If I don't like it, I'll sell it.

Thanks for the comments.
 
SHARPSHOOTER9MM- could you plz tell me if you've had any failures to date with your M&P? Thanks!!
 
Hey guys, I'm new to this forum. I'm from Jamaica and considering a firearm for CCW. I heard good things about the M&P, but since visiting this site I heard stories from hell about failures with the 9mm version, which is my choice of ammo. Can someone plz tell me if these have been resolved by S&W? And What was/ is causing the problem? Thanks guys!!
 
Del,

Welcome to The High Road.

I own three M&Ps, two of which are in 9mm (full size and compact).

I've not had a single issue with the full size unit. It has been as dependable as any gun I've ever owned. The compact had to go back to S&W due to a magazine release problem. Smith's customer service was, bar-none, the best of any company that I've experienced.

I haven't heard of many problems at all with the full size models, excluding the 45. But I've read a fair amount of discourse regarding the compact models and their problems.

You were saavy enough to find the search function, so I'm sure you have discovered the M&P Pistol forum by now as well. Lots of good information over there.

Good luck, and again, Welcome.

John
 
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