Over the last two days I've seen a number of references, (not here) concerning...."documented cases of inherent accuacy problems with the full size M&P 9".

Other than issues with the trigger, can anyone tell me if this problem really exists. Or are these simply issolated instances?

Thanks

I think they're isolated incidents.

They exist. Trust me.

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I'm not having any issues with mine at 50 feet on a 10 inch target.

I did while I was getting used to it but that was all USER ERROR. A bit of watching what I was doing and others coaching me get it where it needs to be. Not as good as the revolver but getting darn close.

RGILLIS-
We have been recieving M&P 9's for a couple years now and of the 60 or so that are in service, I haven't seen a noteable accuracy issues out to 50 yards. Then again-I am not worried about a dime size hole at distance. Much of the accuracy issues are indeed human issues (trigger/grip/stance/sight picture/sighte alignment). Just my two cents-

I have read here and elsewhere about M&P 9fs barrels causing accuracy problems on some of the pistols. Not all people are experiencing this problem, but enough to make me want to wait another year before I buy one. Following is a copy of the post in this forum by CWallace from July 2012 about this issue...


I usually try to stay positive, but geezzzz, please understand that there are experienced shooters posting about the accuracy issues of the full size M&P 9mm. This is real.
Congrats on having 4 guns that shot consistently. Some of us aren't experiencing that. I received a new barrel for mine, purchased in May, and went from unable to group, unable to keep 5 shots on the paper at 25 yds (benched and bagged), to geting 4-5 inch groups at 25 yds. I still get the occasional unexplained flyer. And anyone who wants to get pissy about shooting out to 25 yds, well, I'm not going to try to explain it to you, you don't want to hear it. (For some shooters, that is the Gold Standard of measured accuracy. That doesn't mean we are practicing to shoot defensively at 25 yds, unless required during a drill or shooting station).


As far as proven design.... It is my understanding that there were changes made to the barrel production when the compact was introduced. So if that is true, the proven design was altered.

As far as QC, my son is an engineer for Micro VU, which makes optical scanning equipment for QC inspection of parts put into production. Used in many, many industries. This is what S&W needs, to pull parts out of a production run to check if they meet the specs of the "Proven Design" benchmark. There are a lot of variables that can change during a production run of a part.

What I can tell you is that the replacement barrel that I received has a much tighter fit to the slide. Hard to really tell how it is interacting with the locking block.
Bottom line, it shoots better.... dramatically better. I don't think I changed very much while I waited for the gun to return from S&W. Infact, I did not fire a single round in any handgun while I awaited its return.

Cw

This is an article on the 10-8 Performance web site that goes into more detail about M&P 9 barrel issues. They discuss different replacement barrels and the new S&W factory production barrel.

10-8 Performance: S&W M&P Barrels, An Informal Test

I have noticed that all my handguns are less accurate with old age and hands getting a little more shaky.

Now I notice my digital camera has an anti-shake setting on the various switch positions. And it works very well.

Perhaps eventually someone will come up with a revolver with a computer chip and sights like my camera. Imagine a window that folds out to one side like some cameras. Electronic magnification replaces telescopic lens.

The future of all that:
Hold on a minute stranger person who is knocking at my door at night. I must program my handgun for after dark close range knock at the door possibilities. Anti grab electro shock, and pepper spray out butt of handgun is activated. Waiting for voice command from owner’s voice only, when barrel pointed upward only.

Nope, that puppy is to young to hunt.

Doesn't this have something to do with the pre 2012 production barrels?

I am trying to smoke out someone who has actually put one in a that gun vice thingymacallit (Ransome rest?).

The gun is much more accurate than I am...

I suspect a lot of shooters don't try enough different brands, types, and weights of ammunition. I tried weights from 115gr to 147gr, both regular velocity and +P, and both cup and core and monometal bullets. My groups at 25 yards measured from 1.5" to 4+".

My wife just picked up her M&P9 that was on layaway, it's used gun, (not much use from what I can tell), wonder why it was traded/sold? I cleaned, lubed it yesterday, again it looks near brand new. Hopefully we'll get to the range today and have a 'happy' day.

Thanks thus far for the responses.

My first M&P was a compact and I was pleasantly suprised by it's accuracy, better than I had hoped for.

My first experience with the full size left me less than pleased, where accuracy is concerned. I put it down to the trigger, which in comparison to the compact was heavier and much grittier. I am having an apex system installed to hopefully solve the trigger issues.

Over the last week I've run into a number of comments over the net regarding the issue so I thought I'd ask here.

Thanks again

My October-12 production M&P9FS had an accuracy issue right out of the box. Try 8" groups at 10 yards with three different brands of factory ammo and with several different handloads. And no, the problem was not me. I sent it back to Smith & Wesson and they agreed it had a bad barrel with questionable lock up. S&W replaced the barrel and now its accuracy is on a par with my Glocks. So yes, there is a bona fide accuracy issue with some M&P9FS pistols and it is related to barrels and lockup, and S&W has shipped them from the factory with this problem.

My first m&p is a fs 9mm. I have about 2500 rd.s thru it. Call me crazy, but I have found that properly applying Frog Lube actually helps my gun perform better, AND has really improved the guns accuracy!

I had a stainless steel pistol once that could not hit the side of a barn from the inside. When the morning sun was shining on the right side of front sight it shot to the left. When the afternoon sun was on the left side of front sight it shot to the right. Eventually I decided it was the woodpecker that was pecking on the side of my house way to early. With its feathers hanging from the handle, on a cloudy day, that thing could shoot the warts off of a bullfrog at 30 paces.

I have a newer model .40 so I cant really speak for the older models. But this gun is able to shoot 2-3" groups using my stock .40 barrel or stock 9mm newer production barrel as well. I mean for 450$ can you really complain. This internet is full of everything and if your looking for issues with anything your going to find them and the success stories you never hear about why don't you count the **** stories and compare it to the total number sold and you'll realize the reliability and anyone who has dealt with
Smith will know that they take care of any issues without a problem. A very well made quality good looking pistol. I am happy with it very happy and I just got a .357 barrel and I'm sure the accuracy will only get better. Now all together 600$ for a .40 Range kit, .357 barrel, and 9mm amazing firearm.

I may be lucky but my m&p pro out shoots me. Today I was shooting it an my 1911 side by side and when the targets were pulled the groups were close to the same. That's with factory ammo in the 9 and special homebrew for my 1911. I think the m& p is a shooter and am glad I got one. Don't believe every bad thing you read. I have had zero malfunctions so far.

My friend's wife has one, it is her first gun and she shoots really well with it. Doesn't seem to be any problems with hers.

I have a FS 9mm and a 9mm Pro, never experienced any problems with them shooting in USPSA matches.

Finally got out to the range with the wife and her new M&P9, she loves it, haven't tried out to 20-25 yards yet, I was able to shoot a quarter size hole out of a target at 10 yards the first time I shot it, nothing to complain about here, so far it's great.

I always found it funny when mentioning accuracy issues,the "Gluck" word always pops into the conversation too... ???

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I fixed my groups with this.25 yard 2 handed standing.148 gr lead round nose bullet,Bullseye powder.

My first 20 rounds from my FS 9mm at 15 yards. It's very accurate.

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If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.
-- The Dalai Lama