New owner, frame question with pic

stainless_slide · #1 06-10-2012, 01:36 PM

Hi everybody! I recently purchased a brand new M&P 40 full size at a gun show from a dealer for a great price, $550 otd. What's weird is some Ohio Gun shows are now providing background checks for not only dealer sales but private person to person transactions as well. I digress.

I went out and put 125 rounds through it. A box of 50 Tula, which was the weakest ammo I've ever handled in my life. Two rounds barely ejected and came back and hit me right on the forehead. A box of 50 Aguila FMJ's, and 25 Remington Golden Sabers.

Accuracy was amazing. I was hitting 3x3 steel squares at 15-20 yards thee out of four shots. I really like the trigger on this, more so than the factory light G17L trigger. I think I may have one in the lighter spectrum, as I've heard M&P triggers are +/- 2lbs from the factory.

Now the issue I've noticed. I've searched high and low on the internet, both this forum and others. The is a long gouged strip on the inside of the dust-cover. I am worried that it might lead to a frame crack because it is quite thin there now, especially compared to the other side.

New owner, frame question with pic-img_0559-jpg

New owner, frame question with pic-img_0559-jpg

New owner, frame question with pic-img_0560-jpg

New owner, frame question with pic-img_0561-jpg

If I were to contact S&W customer service about it what information would I need to give them? I snail-mailed my product registration for both this and my M&P15-22P I also purchased, but I never received a confirmation. I am the original owner, but I've never had to deal with a firearm customer service before. I have an HK P2000 LEM with the leaning hammer and I gave up trying to get a replacement and I'm just living with it because they only have three people working for their civilian sales department CS.

patbelly · #2 06-10-2012, 03:23 PM

There was another post recently about the same thing. The OP sent it in and was returned as "within specs". Looks pretty normal as my M&P has the same look. It shouldn't/won't affect performance of the gun.
Maybe someone else here can help out.

stainless_slide · #3 06-11-2012, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I've read that thread and it was just mostly the OP, so no real amount of help. Especially because the OP asked for the thread to be closed.

140 views and no answers about S&W customer service and the pictures I provided? Sheesh. Maybe I should try back after 500 more posts? I'm hoping this isn't one of those places.

Jchadmullins · #4 06-11-2012, 06:25 PM

Smith and wesson will send you a return label via fedex by email. You can fill out the form on their website or call. They pay shipping and will take a look at it. I have no idea if they would consider it normal or replace it. I am currently sending a pistol in myself, it was picked up today. My first experience as well. So far so good though. If you are concerned, I think it best to let them check it out. Otherwise you will likely be worried about it and not fully trust the gun. Having said that, if it is functioning well and you have no real reason to think it is a problem you could watch it and see if they remains the same or worsens. Really depends on how uncomfortable it makes you.

Lost Lake · #5 06-11-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stainless_slide

140 views and no answers about S&W customer service and the pictures I provided? Sheesh. Maybe I should try back after 500 more posts? I'm hoping this isn't one of those places.

When you say there were 140 views, what are you going by?

Spiders crawl web pages and search for hits on keywords. Those aren't people viewing your post and refusing to answer you. Those are bots doing their job.

People here have really good attitudes and are really helpful. Great group of guys and gals. Believe me, you will get your money's worth and much more.

stainless_slide · #6 06-12-2012, 05:47 PM

Thanks guys. Jchad, I don't really feel uncomfortable with it right now. So I suppose that would be something to consider. There's a chance that if they replaced the frame I'd get trigger that would feel a lot heavier, because I feel I got lucky with my trigger.

Also, Lost Lake, that's something I did not consider. Google spiders. On other forums I notice a lot that I'm pretty much the only member and that there are also 9 guests. I suppose at least half of the guests would have to be spiders.

robrossk · #7 06-12-2012, 07:56 PM

If you are concerned contact S&W Customer Service. It is your mpney spent and your comfort that matters in this case. Let us know what you decide.

stainless_slide · #8 06-17-2012, 08:55 PM

I'm going to just rock it until the frame cracks, if it does, around 50+thousand rounds hopefully. Mostly because it shoots sweet and I don't want to give up the trigger I like for possibly a replaced frame with a trigger I dislike.

If anything else happens, I will update this thread.

Also, I hope anyone else with the same frame abnormality will post in this thread regardless of how dead it is months from now. I know that is poor netiquette, wow that word was in spellcheck, but I'm wondering if it is starting to become a thing on S&W's frame mold assembly line.

Thanks Guys