Hi,

Two days ago I bought a brand new S&W M&P .40 Compact. Per provided info this gun was tested on March 30, 2011. Serial Number range is: DVT9XXX.

I love the ergonomics, it fits my hands like a glove, and conceals perfectly.
Yesterday, for the first time, I’ve tried my new “carry piece to be”. What a disappointment. I really want to like this gun because it's very comfortable to shoot. The recoil from .40 S&W in this small gun was very manageable. However, both magazines started almost immediately to fall out of the gun without pressing the magazine release button.

I also noticed the following problem: with factory ammo, the magazines ejecting themselves under recoil on every round; with my milder reloads, the magazines ejecting themselves on every second or third round.

Range owner and his co-worker who is pistol marksman , though that I was not gripping the gun correctly, and to their surprise had exactly the same experience while shooting my M&P Compact.

Steve, a pistol marksman, mentioned that mag drops were a known issue with compacts few years ago, and he was under the impression that S&W remedied the problem long time ago, replacing the magazine catch. He also said that a spring might be a culprit.

I called S&W immediately and explained what was happening, A polite CS rep said that my problem will go away with a new mag, and that they will send a part right away. Unfortunately S&W had no new springs at this time.

I was relieved to hear that my problem will disappear with a new mag catch, but as soon as I got home, I “googled” the internet, and lo and behold, it turns out that in many instances new mag catch (or more than one or two replacements) did not correct the problem. Owners had to send their M&P compacts to S&W few times for repair, and the problem still didn’t go away.

I am really pi**ed. I’ve traded my trustworthy G23 for a brand new M&P .40 Compact to become my new carry piece, but at this point I am less than confident that I’ve made a right decision.

Any help and input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Milwaukee PD traded their "trusty" G23's for M&Ps after having Glock mag problems. Give S&W a chance to make it right. I have 3 M&Ps and have never had a mag drop.

Steve is correct, this was a problem in earlier M&P's. I had a fs .40 that acted exactly as you described. The new mag catch took 1 minute to install, and was a permanent fix.

buying something new that does work right is very frustrating especially if your trusting your life with it! so feel your pain. On the other hand I love my M&P over my glocks. S&W will fix you up for sure. you also might want to check is that there are no plastic shards or burrs in the seating area of the mag release button. take it out and look. otherwise I have heard the new release button solves the issue.

Thank you all.

I am honestly hopping that a new mag catch will take care of the problem. I'll let you know.

Happy 4th!

I bought a 40 cal M&P several years ago and after about a year of regular shooting, it started dropping magazines. I called S&W, they sent me a new mag catch and it completely and permanently solved the problem. I now keep a spare mag catch on hand, but it's never happened again.

- - -Buckspen

A new mag catch just arrived in the mail today.
It took me about 2 minutes to reinstall it.
I'll be going to the range tomorrow to find out if the problrm is solved.

Please let us know. I have an early 9c and after two years it started dropping magazines. S&W sent a new mag catch, no problems since. The parts were visibly different.

Geoff
Who finds the 9c a bit wide for Florida carry.

I just went to the 9c because all my Glocks were a bit bulky
for Florida carry! The right holster (there's so many) may help.

__________________
tigerdvr

Well, it worked.

I run 150 trouble-free rounds today. The new mag catch solved the problem indeed. I hope it stays that way.

What a difference between bulky grip and somewhat awkward Glock grip angle, and absolutely fantastic ergonomics on my M&P.

In the near future I am going to replace my G19 and G26 with M&P .40 full size and M&P .45C.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions.

Well, after additional 550 rounds, I am back to square one.
The magazine drops on every second round.
I'll call S&W tomorrow, but I must admit that my confidence
level in this gun is very, very low at this time.

Are you a right-handed shooter?

If so, consider switching the mag catch to the other side (on the right side of the frame) and see if your "problem" disappears.

If so, you won't be the first person I've heard express that the very easily reached oval mag catch button is too easy to unintentionally depress under recoil when the shooter's thumb bumps it.

FWIW, while your thumb may be located away from the button before firing, it may be snapped over to & against the button during recoil.

Just a thought. I've been wondering if they might make a subtle change in the profile of the button sometime. It probably wouldn't take much for some folks.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I've tried that already. It did not solve the problem.

Prepaid FedEx label is on it's way from S&W.

Okay. Thanks. Just curious.

Let us know what they determine after they can examine the frame itself. It wouldn't surprise me if they decided it was necessary to replace the spring, for example.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

My M&P.40 Compact arrived today via FedEx. In less than 10 days S&W took care of my gun by replacing the spring and a mag catch. And for my troubles S&W installed the night sights for free!!! I was so anxious to see how she performs, so I went to the nearest range. After 450 trouble free rounds. I could not be happier. Thank you S&W, and sorry for any doubts that ever crossed my mind about this purchase. I know that I made the right choice. S&W rocks!!!

Glad to hear it. I was thinking the spring would've been then next thing to consider being involved.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I just picked a very new looking used 40c from my local gun store yesterday and I was excited to test it this morning only to have the mag drop on every round. I guess I will have to call S&W today....

edit: Well I just got off the phone with S&W, the customer service rep basically said they will not stand behind their product since it is a used gun. His comment was I can send it in and pay to have it repaired with a 3 month turn around or bring it to a local gunsmith and pay to get it repaired.. WOW! this is the last time I will buy a S&W!!! I have only owned Ruger, Colt and HK I guess I will stick with these guys since they stand behind their products.

Call them again and talk to a different CS rep. Don't tell them you bought it used unless they ask. There has been many second owner guns sent in and covered under warranty.

If it were me, I'd remove the mag catch and look for wear/damage on it. If no wear/damage then during reassembly I'd make sure it moves freely. If it still does it, call CS and see if they'll send you a new mag release. If not, you can buy a new one for less than $10 shipped from Speedshooterspecialties.com
Mag release removal instructions are in your owners manual.

Was that his exact language? They have a lifetime warranty and that obviously includes used guns since most problems appear while shooting.

If the issue is that you are not the original owner, I have called a couple of times and they never even asked. Lots of members had the same experience. I guess I would call again and talk to another rep as was suggested but I'm surprised at the response you got. Not my experience or understanding of their policies at all. Good luck.

The language in the warranty is clear:

Service Info - Smith & Wesson

1. Lifetime Service Policy
We will repair any defect in material or workmanship without charge to the original purchaser for as long as you own the handgun.

Understood. I just know that many forum members had repair work done and were not the original owners. S&W didn't even ask. Since there is a discrepancy between their policy and their actual service (in a good way) it might be worth another call.

Reading this I just checked my serial number Mine H S A. Mine has been flawless with only 250 rounds threw. Its about 90 days old.But I can feel you pain I bought a new Springfield Xds 45 c new aweek before the new 40 mpc. The promo extended magazines have been a nightmare not feeding. The original ones seem to feed fine. But yes nothing whorse than haveing a problem I too want to love the Springfield but jury still out on it. I shoot the M p 40c better and adore it. Hope you get fixed.

opps just saw this is thread from 2011

Pretty much he said it was not covered as soon as I said I bought it used. Then he starts with you can send it to us with a 3 month turn around and that I would have to pay for it. Then he goes on about I could take it to a local gun smith.....

Anyway I am guessing they have changed their warranty to only the original owner, this is from the latest manual I downloaded from their website:

"This warranty is granted by Smith & Wesson Corp. This warranty is effective from the date of purchase and applies to the original owner of any firearm. With respect to such firearms, this warranty supersedes any and all other warranties."

Edit: I just saw the other responses that states this....

Anyway, I took the 40c to the store I bought it from and they said they would take care of the problem. This forum is great, I like how many quick responses I had and the suggestions. Thanks for the help I really appreciate that!