Field stripping issue with M&P9

97thSignalman · #1 04-15-2011, 06:01 PM

I have now fired about 600 rounds through my M&P9. Somewhere after about 300 rounds I began to experience someting odd during field stripping. Up through clearing the pistol, locking back the slide and depressing the sear release, everything is fine. Then I rotate the disassembly lever but as soon as I start to pull the slide back a bit to allow the slide release to fall, the disassembly leaver immediately snaps back up. Sometimes it snaps back up even before I do anythig else. I takes some tricky manipulating of the pistol to hold the lever rotated down while I pull the slide and then move it forward to get the slide off.

I am pretty sure that when it was new (just a few weeks ago) the disassembly lever would stay rotated in the down position without my having to hold it. Sometimes it even snaps back up during reassembly which sort of locks up the slide.

Has any one experienced this? Is there somethinr wrong? Does something need to be fixed or am I just doing something wrong? Or is all normal?

Just to let you know, I have added the Apex Tactical hard sear and their USB.

D Rock · #2 04-15-2011, 07:02 PM

This happens and is normal. Some say that after time it will wear in or the spring will weaken and it will stop snapping back. I have over 10K thru my M&P9 and it just happened a few minutes ago while I was cleaning.

I have large hands so when I put the slide back on I have the slide in my left hand, my right fingers around the grip and my thumb extended to hold the leaver down. I'm sure you can come up with a system too.

Oh, Apex has nothing to do with it. Enjoy shooting your M&P!

Dave

97thSignalman · #3 04-15-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Rock

This happens and is normal. Some say that after time it will wear in or the spring will weaken and it will stop snapping back. I have over 10K thru my M&P9 and it just happened a few minutes ago while I was cleaning.

I have large hands so when I put the slide back on I have the slide in my left hand, my right fingers around the grip and my thumb extended to hold the leaver down. I'm sure you can come up with a system too.

Oh, Apex has nothing to do with it. Enjoy shooting your M&P!

Dave

Thanks Dave for your quick response. Actually, I had already arrived at the same procedure for holding the lever down during disassembly. Sometimes it also wants to snap back up during reassembly (which can be real problem because it can really jamb things up then) so I hold the lever down during reassambly as well and then I swing it back up when the round clearence notch in the slide is in position to allow that motion.

It all seems a bit awkward, but, if that's the way it is I can live with it.

I wasn't sure whether you comments about wear meant that this is something that improves or gets worse over time.

D Rock · #4 04-15-2011, 08:16 PM

I've read on the M&P Forums (sorry no specific link)
that it can start staying in place on it's own as the pistol is used more. Like I said though, mine has never changed. It certainly won't get worse. There's a small arched spring in the take down leaver channel that can relax as the pistol is used.

If you haven't visited the M&P Boards you should check it out. There are lots of smart people there and lots of good pictures. I've learned quite a bit there.

Dave
edit:I tried to add a link but couldn't??? Just search for M&P Boards.

Chris A. · #5 04-15-2011, 09:14 PM

It's pretty normal. When I bought my MP9, the guy at the GS gave me a quick demo and mentioned that when disassembling and reassembling, it was a good idea to keep a thumb by the takedown lever so it woldn't snap back. I have always done it that way since the first day I had it so it is second nature. It's just a sensitive spring, but it should not affect anything in a negative way.

CO_Kid · #6 04-16-2011, 01:54 AM

Happens with both of mine. Doesn't affect anything.

turbo38gn · #7 04-16-2011, 08:05 AM

It's a 50 50 thing, some snap back, some don't. My common sense tells me if some don't snap back, then why?.. I own 4 MP's, 2 did and 2 didn't. I "fixed" the 2 that snapped back. I've posted a "how to fix" here and on the MP board, bottom line is it doesn't have to snap back if you don't want it to. It take 5 minutes to fix. If you are interested, I posted here and on M-P board a how to.... if not keep your finger on the lever!!

mgo · #8 04-16-2011, 01:53 PM

With the slide locked back, simply pinch the barrel and recoil guide rod toward each other. The take down lever will then stay down. On reassembly, just hold the take down level down while putting the slide back on the frame. As the slide moves rearward, the lever will snap in place when the arched cutout moves over it.

97thSignalman · #9 04-16-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo38gn

It's a 50 50 thing, some snap back, some don't. My common sense tells me if some don't snap back, then why?.. I own 4 MP's, 2 did and 2 didn't. I "fixed" the 2 that snapped back. I've posted a "how to fix" here and on the MP board, bottom line is it doesn't have to snap back if you don't want it to. It take 5 minutes to fix. If you are interested, I posted here and on M-P board a how to.... if not keep your finger on the lever!!

Jack, I read your suggested fixit procedure over on the M-P board. Actaully I had already done a very small bit of filing on the rough area of the flat on the shaft of the takedown lever and it seemed to help somewhat. Thanks to your post, it revisited the process. This time I filed off all of the wart on the flat of the shaft near the edge where it meets the round part of the shaft. When there were no high spots left I then used a fine Arkansas stone to polish the flat and dress the edge. Viola! The lever now remains in place when rotated down, both during disassembly and assembly.

The problem is gone now and hopefully forever. Gracias buddy. I may seek your advice again if I need help.

turbo38gn · #10 04-16-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97thSignalman

Jack, I read your suggested fixit procedure over on the M-P board. Actaully I had already done a very small bit of filing on the rough area of the flat on the shaft of the takedown lever and it seemed to help somewhat. Thanks to your post, it revisited the process. This time I filed off all of the wart on the flat of the shaft near the edge where it meets the round part of the shaft. When there were no high spots left I then used a fine Arkansas stone to polish the flat and dress the edge. Viola! The lever now remains in place when rotated down, both during disassembly and assembly.

The problem is gone now and hopefully forever. Gracias buddy. I may seek your advice again if I need help.

Wow, thank you Andy, a couple guys have said it worked for them, but privately. It just makes sense to me. It surprises me how many of the "experienced" guys just ignore what I have found.... but it's ok, I'm happy, mine all work fine.