I'm looking to replace the subspec 5" stainless steel barrel that came with my PC 9mm C.O.R.E full size. Though there are a lot of reputable manufacturers marketing M&P barrels, I'm having trouble finding any that make the ported Performance Center models. There is one I found on ebay that doesn't list a manufacturer, making it an instant deal killer.

Any recommendations?

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Eric

I'm interested too. Following...

If the barrel is subspec in some dimensions or performance, would not S&W replace it free under warranty?

Or are you inferring that no OEM barrel will satisfy your requirements?

If that is the case, I recommend the Apex barrel of your choice. If they won’t port it, have someone else do it, such as Mag-na-port. Mag-na-port International--Home Page

Cost/benefit will be an issue, but that is your decision to address.

I have a ported CORE slide kit on my full-size 1.0. I managed to find a non ported Storm Lake barrel when they were discontinued. So far I don’t see any difference between the 2 other than the front sight stays clean.

So what’s wrong with your barrel?

CB3, Saudade, thanks for the suggestions. A brief explanation:

I posted in another thread started by Tsb3 that I had misgivings about an ss barrel that was galling with the slide aperture over a month ago. This is one of the photos I posted in that thread. Yes, that ring you see catches a fingernail:



I also stated that I sent the firearm to S&W cust service with a detailed description of my concern. They did nothing with it but shoot it and send it back dirty. They ignored my written description and put "squibbed barrel" as my complaint, which made no sense at all. Subsequent communication on my part went unanswered except for a cryptic email saying my case was forwarded to the appropriate department--SALES.

I since showed it to a gunsmith familiar with several manufacturers CS. He was appalled that the barrel wasn't replaced or at the very least explained the "squibbed barrel" remark. I also notice that posts here are removed after a month of non-activity or I would have linked Tsb3's original.

I like this M&P9, I have no intention of selling or discarding it, but the galling above developed after only 200 rounds, and now I'm not confident in firing the weapon. I seek a more reliable barrel.

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Eric

Ah, OK. I remember now.

Posts are not removed. You just need to changed the display options at the bottom of the forum page.

Or you can look at your own history in your profile under Statistics.

Thank you Saudade.

To be clear, I love my M&Ps. I have 2 others, a Shield 9 1.0 and a 22 Compact, both of which operate flawlessly, and neither's nitride barrels are showing any undue wear. This one, the M&P PC CORE 9mm 5" is the single most accurate handgun I've ever handled. But the customer service I received guarantees that I'll never buy another. I don't know if they're trying to avoid an expensive recall or I simply held my face wrong, I won't again spend $800+ for a firearm and be treated so cavalierly again.

Apex has no barrels of 5" in untapped stainless in stock. I'm also wondering if I should forego the porting. My gunsmithy says it likely contributes to the galling on this piece.

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Eric

IMO, that is definitely Smith and Wesson’s warranty responsibility. I would go into full nutso communication mode until they fix it.

I’m sure Apex would be able to handle your needs, but I’m afraid your slide is part of, if not the problem.

Apex customer service is the best in the industry, IMO. Unfortunately, their solutions are among the most expensive.

My Apex-tuned, gunsmith fit barrel, FS 9mm M&P is my pride & joy. Reliable and accurate.

Attached Images

9CC16E00-ADD7-4DA1-BFEA-00641DD14732.jpg (107.0 KB, 26 views)

Nice piece. I want mine to be my pride and joy as well. It is already accurate.

As far as hammering the warranty angle, don't think I've given up. I simply don't see them as upgrading the material spec on a replacement barrel just for me and Tbs3. They actually tried to buff his out, but I haven't heard if the galling reappeared. If he reads this he might offer an update.

And as far as the slide goes, I believe you're also correct: The bearing has no gradient inside edge, and though I find only a little wear to it. It can't be denied that this is contributing:





These photos were taken immediately after taking delivery from S&W customer service. As I said, it was returned DIRTY.

I am intrigued by the Apex barrels, I hear a lot about them, but you're right; this issue needs addressed.

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Eric

I see two potential problems:

The forward slide barrel opening was not properly machined/fitted; and/or

The barrel locking lugs are not fitted properly to the frame, causing timing problems with the barrel dropping and rising while cycling. I am not a gunsmith and I don’t know, but it appears some uncertified hack was filling in at the Performance Center the day that gun was turned out originally.

I don't believe Apex makes any ported barrels.

Remsport makes high quality ported replacement barrels.
I bought one for my 40 PC Shield so it would shoot 9mm as well.
They are a veteran owned company located just a few miles from the S&W factory in Springfield.

But until that rough area in your slide gets fixed, a new barrel will also get galled.

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U. S. Army Veteran

Not ported but shows in stock.

Match Grade Barrel | M&P Pro | Stainless-https://shopwilsoncombat.com/

Are they saying that you had a squib and bulged it? Mic the barrel before the porting and compare it to the bad area. Maybe its bulged. Hard to believe they wouldn't fix that unless they thought it was bulged from a squib.

No. It is NOT squibbed, that was their assumption because no one there either reads english or bothered to look at my documentation. That's just it, I don't believe anyone was industrious enough to even disassemble the gun at S&W CS. Someone took it to the range and put a mag full of rounds through it. It came back in the identical shape it was sent, except DIRTY. They claimed "no repair necessary".

If it was bulged I would have known it myself. If it was bulged S&W would have replaced the barrel. This is a design flaw, it was made known to them if they weren't already aware (which I now suspect), they ignored all the evidence and my written description of the problem and sent the gun back DIRTY and the problem unaddressed.

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Eric

If this was a design flaw, it would happen on all pistols. Since it has only happened on a very few pistols, it is more likely it is a manufacturing flaw for your particular pistol.

Regardless, it is a flaw on MY pistol, which makes design/manufacture moot. Then again, how many might be "very few"? If it happened to more than one, there is surely a mold or mill machine or an unqualified machinist in that factory repeating the flaw, no? Is it still not upon them to do due diligence in quality control? It actually begs more questions than that, not the least of which: How does something this obvious and observed by both gunsmiths and not gunsmiths, including the source(s) of the issue get by the "master" smithies at S&W Customer Service? Who types in "squibbed barrel" as a customer complaint when there was no such claim, while obviously disregarding the detailed description I sent with the firearm.

And who returns a cleaned, oiled firearm back to the customer DIRTY?

Please don't misread animosity towards you in this response. I'm usually much more tolerant of a manufacturers humanity. But this is advertised and priced as an above-the-line product, their customer service at least do not see it as such.

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Eric