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Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


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Old 08-01-2010, 10:16 PM
texanfan texanfan is offline
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Unhappy New pistol, locking block damage - please help

Hello fellow gun nuts.
I'm not new to pistols, but this is my first M&P after shooting my dad's M&P40. I purchased a "new" M&P40C to go along with my XDM40 from a well known local gun shop. Upon my inspection of the pistol prior to purchase, I regret that I focused my inspection prior to taking delivery on the barrel, slide, striker area and spring. I didn't notice anything to make me think the gun had been fired other than to produce the spent cartridge for the factory to give me. Both mags still had a wax pencil mark on the follower, no paint flakes from the spring in the slide etc...
The only thing noticable was a lack of huge amounts of packing grease or over lubrication I have had on other guns. I just figured this was the norm for S&W. I always give new pistols a good cleaning before taking them to the range, so i figured this one had just been sitting a awhile. I did check the date on the casing envelope prior to filling out the papers and it was from Jan 2010.
I got home and stripped the pistol for cleaning and discover...
(Using the diagram found elsewhere and the S&W parts list)
The locking block (part number 15 in the diagram - 277590000 on the list) has a gouge in it dead center. Not sure if that is 100% correct, but thats what I believe it to be. Basically it is on the frame and is connected to the take down lever. With the slide installed, it sits directly beneath the spring/barrel and feed ramp when the slide is installed on the frame.
My questions are...
1. Anyone else seen this new/used/misused?
2. What is the exact function of the part?
3. When and what would it have come into contact with to create the gouge?
4. Is this something S&W would repair? The parts list shows this part if I am identifying it correctly to be an armourer available part only.
I am debating taking it back to the shop for repair, since I have a feeling they sold me a used pistol as new but with unused magazines. Never had anyproblems with them or any other gun shop, so would just like a little insight as to what to watch out for.
Sorry to be longwinded, and thanks in advance for any feedback. If needed, I'll try to get a good picture.
I Still love this pistol, but wouldn't trust it fully after break in for CCW untill I get to the bottom of this.

Last edited by texanfan; 08-01-2010 at 11:03 PM. Reason: clarification
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Old 08-01-2010, 10:39 PM
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Ok, I don't know what it's called either. I'm looking at mine , holding the frame in my hand and pointing it away from me. If you referring to the part directly above the trigger return spring, mine has a "gouge" in it also. I believe this is normal nothing to be concerned about.
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Old 08-01-2010, 10:47 PM
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Default mine also has this

If what you are looking at is the same thing hiram2005 just mentioned.

My pistol has gone about 5000 rounds with no issues.
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Old 08-01-2010, 10:51 PM
texanfan texanfan is offline
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Thanks for the quick reply! Barely had time to take the picture!
Yes, it is directly above the trigger return spring. I just noticed comparing it to the photo in the manual of that area that the pictur in the manual has a nice edge and no gouge. I also looked at my other pistols and they are nice and clean. Could just be bad casting as I dont see any oxidation although it looks almost like a pitted area. i doulble checked the bottom of the feed ramp and the spring and they have not a scratch. I also inspected the trigger area with a light and couldn't see any flakes or chunks in there.
I guess because mine looked so much different than the manual, I am concerned. At least I know there is at least one other owner who got a badly cast part.
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Old 08-01-2010, 11:00 PM
texanfan texanfan is offline
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Here's a picture in case it's needed by someone.
Thanks again.
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Old 08-01-2010, 11:13 PM
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That's what mine looks like too. And I took a look at my full size and it has the same mark.
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Old 08-01-2010, 11:29 PM
texanfan texanfan is offline
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I feel a little better then. Maybe I should tell S&W to change the pictures in their diagrams to include a chunk of missing metal. In all seriousness though, just wanted to double check what you guys thought before I made a trip into town and burned any bridges. My dad in out of town so I couldn't go take a look at his full size. Funny thing is, I nor anyone I know personally have never been done wrong by this particular shop - but other folks beat them to death in reviews. I was just being careful, just in case.
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Old 08-02-2010, 08:57 AM
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Why are S&W pistols not crammed full of grease or stuffed in a baggie dripping with oil?

Because they don't have to spend months on end in a non-climate controlled shipping container sitting on the deck of a ship or on an open dock surrounded by salt water.

You pistol was fired at the factory more than just one round to give you an empty case. It was proof and function tested prior to being released for shipment.
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Old 08-03-2010, 01:50 PM
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Here's a couple of M&P locking blocks (.45 on the left and .40 on the right). You can see the mold marks on each at the center, although they vary in appearance. The .40 LB is used, but the mold mark visible was there from when it was made.




You can probably call and ask to speak to tech about it if it would help ease your mind. If there's any question in their mind they'll send you a shipping label for free shipping under their lifetime warranty. Call them if it concerns you.

BTW, last time I asked, each new M&P is test-fired with 3 test mags loaded with 5 rounds each, for a total of 15 rounds.
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Last edited by Fastbolt; 08-03-2010 at 07:46 PM.
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Old 08-04-2010, 07:45 PM
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Since the locking block is a MIM part, I am pretty sure that that is where the metal is injected into the mold. I think it is where the sprue attached to the part. If you want to see if the gun has been fired a lot, look at the foam inside the trigger return spring. A new gun will have a pretty white foam piece, 100 rounds later it will be grey, and thousands later it will be black...

ETA I just looked at a new in bag block that has never been installed, and it has the same mark. The sear block also has one, but you can't see it without removing it from the frame.

Last edited by missiondude; 08-04-2010 at 07:52 PM.
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Old 08-05-2010, 12:13 AM
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Thanks for the great follow ups. I am in agreement now that it is a non issue. I have now seen the mark on a number of new pistols that I checked out at varying shops to confirm without asking for input by a salesperson. Combined with the input from forum members and other photos/videos online, it seems to be pretty common, just not widely discussed. Now about this gritty trigger....just kidding.
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Old 08-05-2010, 12:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by texanfan View Post
Thanks for the great follow ups. I am in agreement now that it is a non issue. I have now seen the mark on a number of new pistols that I checked out at varying shops to confirm without asking for input by a salesperson. Combined with the input from forum members and other photos/videos online, it seems to be pretty common, just not widely discussed. Now about this gritty trigger....just kidding.
Looks like you are GTG. I will add that mine is the same way. Gritty trigger? Just add Apex and all is smooth and wonderful in M&P world
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Old 08-05-2010, 04:19 AM
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I put an Apex kit into my M&P40FS Wednesday afternoon. Same little "ding".... Almost invisible....

No foam, though, in the spring.... Can't even think of a reason why it would be there.

No idea why, but my FS doesn't quite shoot as well as the Compact. Both now have the Apex kit, and the trigger's are quite similar. Haunted?

I had a half-hour or so free and decided to pop into the workshop and install that kit. One of the guys called looking for a ride to the range before I could get downstairs.

My daughter called looking for money just as I got some of the old parts off.

My wife came home and told me to cancel a planned run to Pittsburgh for Thursday.

Mom's caregiver called to ask for the phone number of the next doctor on their list for the day.

The wife came downstairs to tell me the same thing, and complain about the money for our daughter. (She did take the check to the bank, but guess who had to put the M&P down and cut a check .)

Couldn't get the trigger assembly back into the frame. (Much cursing, and probably a few new deities later, it worked.)

Couldn't get the itsy sear spring back in. Less cursing....

Forgot which way the sear goes. Cursed myself.

Sonofagun, it worked.... Shot well, too.

About 90 minutes.... Oh well.... I'm semi-retired. Missed a trip to the barber shop and car wash. Maybe Thursday....

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Old 01-23-2013, 09:12 PM
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Question Similar thing just happenned to mine

I just saw this on my M&P's locking block, don't know how it might have happened . I hope to send it back to S&W this this week.
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Old 01-23-2013, 09:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SMMAssociates View Post
I put an Apex kit into my M&P40FS Wednesday afternoon. Same little "ding".... Almost invisible....

No foam, though, in the spring.... Can't even think of a reason why it would be there.
The tampon inside the trigger return spring is there for vibration dampening, per S&W. I have only seen them in S&W guns. Without it, there is a risk of spring breakage.
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Old 01-28-2013, 04:17 PM
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I just went to my local dealer and he has the S&W M&P 40 just as me and I asked him about the damage on the locking block and showed him my M&P and he told me that its a normal part of the breaking that its the gun tunning it self out rejecting it sens it may have cause to much frinction or something... his was just like mine
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Old 01-28-2013, 04:24 PM
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If you're talking about the mold marking on the center rear of the locking blocks, they're normal (and vary from one block/mold to the next).

Here's a couple of M&P locking blocks (new & used) which exhibit the mold marks to varying degree. Some are smaller, some are "cleaner" and some look downright nasty. Cosmetic. Not a problem with the way the blocks are made (according to S&W, and I've been through the M&P pistol armorer class twice).




FWIW, I remember when some owners of Walther P99 pistols first saw the MIM locking blocks (and the corresponding "sprue-type" mold marks) and freaked.
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Old 07-28-2013, 02:39 PM
JoeInNCalif JoeInNCalif is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by texanfan View Post
Thanks for the quick reply! Barely had time to take the picture!
Yes, it is directly above the trigger return spring. I just noticed comparing it to the photo in the manual of that area that the pictur in the manual has a nice edge and no gouge. I also looked at my other pistols and they are nice and clean. Could just be bad casting as I dont see any oxidation although it looks almost like a pitted area. i doulble checked the bottom of the feed ramp and the spring and they have not a scratch. I also inspected the trigger area with a light and couldn't see any flakes or chunks in there.
I guess because mine looked so much different than the manual, I am concerned. At least I know there is at least one other owner who got a badly cast part.
That is the sprue mark from the injection molding process. Some will be a little bit in, some a little bit out. Some will be out with a small dip around it.
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Old 07-28-2013, 03:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jyezahn View Post
The tampon inside the trigger return spring is there for vibration dampening, per S&W. I have only seen them in S&W guns. Without it, there is a risk of spring breakage.
You have it right, except that I will add that it is more than a "risk." That spring will break without the tampon. It is just a matter of when. Good idea to keep a few on hand.
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Old 07-29-2013, 02:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shawn mccarver View Post
You have it right, except that I will add that it is more than a "risk." That spring will break without the tampon. It is just a matter of when. Good idea to keep a few on hand.
Saying, "it's just a matter of when", is no more distinctive than using the word, "risk". In fact, they are the same unless you can absolutely guarantee that every trigger spring will break without the tampon within a certain amount of time/use. If you can't, then it's a risk.
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