Smith & Wesson M&P, very weak ejection

[blitzen]

Just picked up a lightly used Smith&Wesson M&P (9mm) at a gunshow last weekend. It's for the wife, it fits her hand really well. Today at the range the first round out of her new (used) gun she has a stove pipe. Cleared it, 2 more shots we get another stove pipe. I shot 6 rounds through it thinking she must be limp wristing it. It fired all 6. Then I shot it while barely holding it trying to induce a limp wrist failure, it fired.
What I did notice is that after about 80 rounds through it all the brass was lying right next to our right feet. Usually the brass would bounce off your head or right forearm and land at your feet. (by contrast my Browning throws the same rounds a good 10 feet).
I really hate it when something dosen't work right. This smells funny. Is this week ejection common or should I shoot it some more and not panic so much. Any help would be great. Thanks
Using (Independence ammo, 115 gr fmj)

 

[sidspappy]

First thing I'd ask is what kind of ammo are you shooting in it? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't stovepiping a function of the ammo not being able to overcome the pressure of the recoil spring properly?

Or maybe damaged ejector? Forgive me, I'm not an expert, but I think the real experts might want more info before chiming in.

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

It sounds like it has not been broken in yet it will get better but the M&P has really good springs and causes stovepiping on mine with Blazer rounds I used some federal after that and had no more problems. It's got around 550 rounds through it now and I can usually get blazer to work now. Still prefer federal.

 

[glocks rock]

What kind of ammo? Sounds like weak stuff. After that , check the ejector to see if it is clean then check the recoil spring. If that doesn't work, send it to S&W. They have a lifetime warranty no matter who ownes the gun. Call Smith first to get a call tag. May be have a buddy at the range look at it to see if it might be something simple.

 

[FullEffect1911]

like the others have said, it sounds like the rounds are just getting out of there (or not in some cases). Sounds like underpowered ammo. What kind are you using?

 

[blitzen]

Using Independence Ammo, (115 gr fmj). No problem in other guns.
The gun was cleaned, lubed, and everything looks to be just as it should. It just dribbles the empties out.

 

[Cpt_Impossible]

I shoot WWB 115 grain by the hundreds whenever I take my M&P9C to the range (probably up to about 1,200 through it) and have yet to have any failure at all. All of the empties are usually in the booth next to me and I have to do a lot of sweeping when I am done, so I would guess that something is up with your ammo or your wife.

 

[gglass]

I'm thinking that you have a slide/frame friction issue of some kind. I own four M&P's and have never seen a weak ejection... Most fly for at least a quarter of a mile before landing.

M&P40
M&P357
M&P9c
M&P9 Pro Series

 

[blitzen]

Is this blue color coded spring the stock spring? This is what is in it.

 

[AKJeeper]

Sorry for bringing an old thread back from the dead...

But I've recently acquired a M&P 9mm that has the same issue with weak ejection. I've read that some of these guns just "need to break in" and so far I've fired roughly 250 rounds of ammo (various mfgs. and bullet gr.) and so far mine hasn't gotten any better. Fortunately, it has not failed to eject - it just tends to bounce the brass off my forehead, or my right forearm...and does so quite weakly at that. I'm definitely not limp wristing it either.

Blitzen - has this problem been corrected on your gun yet?

 

[Rubikees]

I have never had that problem with my M&P9. I also know two people that have put over 70,000 rounds through theirs and have not had an issue.

 

[Mikey Idaho]

I would get it checked out by someone knowledgable, this is not a known issue I've heard of and my M&P9 has been fine for the 5k rounds I did this year (granted my brother in laws Ruger SR9 throws the brass further, but who cares lol)

 

[1SOW]

Because it's used, the previous owner may have increased the recoil spring weight.

Not that expensive. I'd put a new spring in. gunsprings.com is one source

Did you clean around the extractor? Might be gunk in there.

 

[glockky]

Smith has great customer service. I am sure if you give them a call they will be glad to fix the problem.

 

[psyshack]

Sounds like you are shooting powder puff ammo in it. make sure the extractor is free and clean and examine the spent brass.

 

[themaninblack]

I have a M&P .40 and have never had a failure to eject with factory ammo. Cases usually land ~8ft away.

 

[AKJeeper]

I checked both the extractor and the ejector - nothing seems out of the ordinary there. I noticed that the extractor holds the case in there a bit tighter than it does on my XDM or my CZ 85 - not sure if that would make a difference though.

I took it out to the range today after a thorough cleaning (and lubing as specified in the manual). I tried various kinds of factory ammo - 115gr all the way up to 147gr, and several different manufacturers of each. The problem hasn't gotten any better. I did not notice any abnormalities with the ejected brass, no dents, scratches, or anything unusual.

I fired the same ammo out of my XDM today and the brass was definitely shooting out more forcefully than it ever has with the M&P.

I think I'll be calling S&W to see what they have to say about it. Will keep you posted!

 

[hammerklavier]

Maybe the previous owner fired a lot of +P or +P+ and put a heavier recoil spring in.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Why haven't you sent it back yet? Obviously there is an issue with the weapon, just get it fixed. I don't buy the "break in" theory some guys are claiming. The M&P isn't a tight tolerance pistol like a tuned 1911 or something. It either works or it doesn't. My M&P 9C has close to 9000 rounds through it and it has performed great since day one. My wife's M&P have a couple hundred rounds through it and it has never malfunctioned.

Call S&W. They have great customer service and they will take care of it.

 

[AKJeeper]

Well, I finally got around to sending it back to S&W last week. I'll keep you posted on what I find out with mine.

I'm kind of curious if the original poster in this thread (blitzen) ever got his pistol fixed...

Mine has never had +P or +P+ ammo shot through it, and definitely hasn't had a different recoil spring put in it - I'm the original owner and the gun is new. We'll have to see what S&W says about it...I'm thinking there's a problem with the ejector and/or extractor...

 

[AKJeeper]

Just an update on my M&P 9mm. Just received it back from S&W and here's what the letter enclosed with my pistol said:

The following characteristic(s) have been examined and adjusted to our standards:
Characteristic Description
Customer Complaint: Ejection
Customer Complaint: Finish slide

Repaired: Replace Slide
Repaired: Replace Mag Catch
Repaired: Complete Update
Repaired: Range tested/Meets Spec

I'll have to take it out to the range later this week and see how the gun shoots. So far, I'm impressed with S&W's turnaround time - the received the pistol on Feb 13, and I got it back today Feb 22.

As for the slide finish complaint - I figured since the gun was going in for warranty work, it wouldn't hurt to ask about the corrosion that was forming on the slide underneath the finish. Looks like they went ahead and replaced the whole slide and now my gun looks perfect (and brand new like it should).

I have no idea why the mag catch release was replaced. I didn't notice any issues when trying to eject the mags...

Whatever the case, I'm happy to have my pistol back. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will shoot and function correctly.

 

[AKJeeper]

Well I managed to test my M&P last night and I'm happy to report that it no longer has any issues ejecting spent cases - even with relatively weak Blazer ammunition.

 

[jon_in_wv]

S&w updated the design of the mag catch a while back. They probably determined yours still had the older design. I would suspect yours was also in the batch with a defective slide finish from a while back. I'll bet it will shoot like crazy now.

Btw, i sent mine back for the mag catch issue last year. It seems mine got a little worn after a measly 8000 rounds or so. Turn around was really quick and they changed the recoil spring while they had it. My m&p now has around 10000 rnds downrange and it still shoots like new.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

 

[grayhambone]

WEAK

Weak is the correct spelling

 

[jon_in_wv]

???