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I bought a new S&W M&P 9c just under 2 weeks ago, but today was the first day I managed to get to the range to test it. I had a mixture of ammo as it's want I've been able to get piecemeal recently: Remington UMC, Monarch Brass, WWB, and Remington Golden Saber JHP.

I started with the Remington UMC and for the first 2 magazines, I had all kinds of problems. I don't think I was able to fire more than 3 rounds without some kind of issue. The main problem seemed to be a failure to load where the round didn't seem to feed properly. I also had the slide lock back a couple times when the magazine wasn't empty. This was very disheartening.

I continued to shoot my other ammo for a total of 200 rounds. After those first 2 magazines, I did get one case where the slide did not lock back when the magazine was empty, but I think for the last 100 rounds, everything went OK.

How normal is this? I did read that some guns require a "break-in" period. My wife had bought a new Springfield XD-9 about a month ago and she's never had any kind of failure, ever.

I figure I'll go back in a week or so and shoot another 200 rounds, but I was wondering at what point do I send it back to S&W for repair?

Derek

Did you clean and lube the pistol before going to the range for the first time?

I've seen some really cruddy factory fresh pistols. The only new S&W pistol I've bought was a 1911 PD and a 22A. I cleaned both prior to going to the range and never had a problem with either. When cleaning/lubing for the first time, don't ignore the magazines.

As per being normal, I don't think so. But, there are a lot of factors.

bpet wrote:Did you clean and lube the pistol before going to the range for the first time?

I've seen some really cruddy factory fresh pistols. The only new S&W pistol I've bought was a 1911 PD and a 22A. I cleaned both prior to going to the range and never had a problem with either. When cleaning/lubing for the first time, don't ignore the magazines.

As per being normal, I don't think so. But, there are a lot of factors.

Yes, I did clean and oil it before I used it.

dleewo wrote:My wife had bought a new Springfield XD-9 about a month ago and she's never had any kind of failure, ever.
Derek

Trade up for a Springfield Armory XD. I've got the XD45 and it has performed flawlessly!

I don't have a Smith M&P, but I know a lot of people who do and I see a lot of them in my classes. I've never seen or heard of someone complain about problems like you describe. While it won't hurt to shoot it more, I think I'd contact Smith and send it to their service department.

Break-in periods are primarily required for my beloved 1911's, although anyone carrying a defensive handgun should shoot it enough to verify reliability before relying upon it. That said, I've never known of a Glock, Springfield XD, or a Smith & Wesson M&P that required a true break-in period.

Chas.

I'll take it back out in a few days and shoot another 200 rounds. If it still give me any problems, I'll call S&W and send it in.

Thanks
Derek

I've got three different M&P's, and though none are the compact version, I've not had any problems. Several hardcore instructors have had good luck with the M&P in their classes and one considers it the *only* other option to a Glock that he would carry.

Keep working with it for a bit of a break-in. You can always check at http://www.mp-pistol.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to see if anyone there can help if it persists. Those that have had problems that need factory service have had good luck with S&W.

ske1eter wrote:Keep working with it for a bit of a break-in. You can always check at http://www.mp-pistol.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to see if anyone there can help if it persists. Those that have had problems that need factory service have had good luck with S&W.

I'm not worried about S&W's service. I've read a lot of good things about them. Since I don't have my CHL as yet, it's also not an issue to send it in.

Are you putting your thumb on the slide lock? I had similar problems with my M&P 40 until I learned where to place my thumbs. Pay attention to where your thumbs are and see if you are either riding the slide lock down or pushing it up.

MoJo wrote:Are you putting your thumb on the slide lock? I had similar problems with my M&P 40 until I learned where to place my thumbs. Pay attention to where your thumbs are and see if you are either riding the slide lock down or pushing it up.

Are you asking if I'm putting my thumb on the slide lock while firing? I don't think so, but I'll pay attention when I head back to the range.

Derek

I had all of the problems listed with my m&p 9c. It cleared up somewhere around 400-500 rounds. I would give it another couple hundred rounds. If it still doesn't function properly after that, then I would contact S&W. I also had some of these problems with my full size m&p 9. They both seem to function fine now.

A good resource for M&P's

http://mp-pistol.com/boards/index.php?act=idx

Thanks,
Eric

No issues with any of mine. I have all sizes and calibers. I have shot them all in IDPA with no trouble straight from the box.

I went back to range and shot 210 rounds and there were no problems at all. I shot the same mixture of ammo as I did the first time out

I can't explain the problems I had the first time out, but I guess the gun is OK now.

Another good source for S&W answers http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;