New M&P9 FS

[zurnman]

Hi, all
I took delivery of my M&P9 FS today. I originally wanted a 209001 but I ended up settling for a 209301 as it was available and the other would have been an unknown wait time. I haven't shot it yet as I wanted to get familiar with it first.
Anyway, I have discovered one "minor" disappointment. When pulling back the slide with a magazine inserted, the slide stop automatically engages. Sling-shot method doesn't work at all. At first I thought it may be a defect but the printed manual that came with it clearly states at the bottom of page 16 "Pull the slide to the rear, press down on the slide stop to release the slide and allow it to carry fully forward...."
Now I consider this "minor" as that's how my Ruger MKIII has always been so it's not something I need getting used to. Just kind of wish it wasn't the case.
On a positive note I love how quick and easy it is to field strip this firearm.

Rick

[Houdini1953]

If there is an empty magazine inserted into just about any semi auto the slide should stay open, this is to let you know you are out of ammo or possibly there is something wrong, it is not a problem but a feature of all semis!

Welcome to the world of Smith & Wesson or at least semi autos hang around and ask question and there are sure to be answers for you!

If you want to rack the slide simply take the magazine out and it should rack as fast as you can pull it back but if you put an empty magazine into the weapon it should stay open and if it doesn't then you have a problem with your gun!

[zurnman]

Indeed, with no magazine I can rack it endlessly without the slide stop engaging. I understand that the slide should stay open after the magazine has been emptied. My point is that on this particular model, the "Sling-Shot" method will not work after inserting a new magazine. The slide stop has to ALWAYS be manually disengaged before the slide can go forward.

[Houdini1953]

Not sure what you are calling a slingshot method let us know more about this so we can help further.

If you have a fully loaded magazine in your gun and simply pull the slide rearwards it should go into full battery as well as clambering the first round in the magazine then it should continue to do so until you are empty or you take the magazine out of the weapon!

I think a trip to the range is in order and pay particular attention after you place a fully loaded magazine into your pistol, with the M&P9FS you should go flawlessly through 17 rounds and then the slide will open and stay that way until you insert another fully loaded magazine, at which time it will do one of two things it will auto forward the slide or it will not but that is another discussion in this forum!

[zurnman]

By slingshot method I mean pulling the slide all the way back and letting it snap forward on it's own. I've only tried this with an empty magazine but will it act differently with a loaded one? Like I stated in my OP, the owner's manual clearly states that after inserting a loaded magazine the slide must be pulled fully rearward then the slide stop MUST be pressed before letting the slide snap forward.

[zurnman]

I guess I'll shut up until I actually go to the range shoot it.
Maybe I'll some useful info after that.
Thanks

[raylo]

The manual says that because it assumes you have an empty weapon so the slide is already locked back. You insert a mag and hit the slide lock for the slide to go forward or you "sling shot" it forward. since it is already locked back your really not "sling shot"ing since it's already back.

It will sling shot with a full mag.

[alkaline]

1. Empty magazine inserted - slide will not return to battery when "slingshotted". This is by design. Empty magazine = open action.

2. Loaded magazine inserted - slide will return to battery when "slingshotted", chambering a round out of the magazine.

Most semi-automatic weapons (handgun and rifle) are designed to have the action (slide, bolt, etc) lock back when the magazine is empty. It's their way of saying "hey! you're out of ammo!"

alk

[zurnman]

I tried something today that I didn't before. While the slide was locked open with the empty magazine inserted, I ejected the mag and the slide lock automatically disengaged. Inserted a loaded mag, pulled back the slide and let it snap forward. Worked as it should. All is well.
Thanks for the replies.

Rick

[zurnman]

I was finally able to shoot my new M&P9 FS today.
What a dream it is. Due to an unforseen time constraint I was only able to put 150 rounds downrange but they were all flawless using WWB FMJ ammo.
All of my previous concerns were answered and I really like this firearm. Very comfortable in my hand, great sights and although I'm not a very good shot, I was able to hit pretty near what I was aiming for. Practice and more practice needed.
In addition, if it wasn't due to the UpLula magazine loader I just got today, I probably would have only put a fraction of those bullets into the backstop.


Rick

[HCF]

I just got got my fs about 2 weeks ago, like how it shoots an handles well balanced. Gonna put few rounds threw it this weekend.