FPC can not load in mags with rounds in them

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Dave6196

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I went out on a trip and brought my FPC to shoot with my brother in law and nephew. On arrival at the range I loaded the mags and went to load one, and it wouldn't seat in the well. A visual inspection found a small plastic nub that looks like a press in post to hold something in place on the upper part of the grip body a little ways back from the bolt catch, but the owners manual doesn't mention this part. Looking into the ejection port, you can see an angular piece of plastic that is preventing the mag from seating all the way in as it sits on top of the top round. Again, this is not listed in the manual. Any suggestions? I am hesitant to take it further apart without a service manual as I am not a gunsmith.
 
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I have tried looking at mine from just about every angle but can't get a good bead on it. Looks like it is holding in some kind of spring assembly just under the bolt when it is locked back. Looking at it closer, it is some kind of metal plate in front of the hammer assembly. Without a better look, I am not sure how to fix it. Is the hammer cocked back? That may be part of the issue.
 
Are you sure that piece of "plastic" isn't actually the metal hammer? That happens when you dry fire with the bolt removed when you've field stripped it. If you put the bolt back in with the hammer fired, it leaves the hammer in front of the bolt.
The owner's manual tells you to leave the safety on and don't dry fire the gun when the bolt is removed.
To fix this, remove your bolt again and reach in and cock the hammer manually using a finger or a tool like a screw driver.
 
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Thanks for the replies. I tried to cock the hammer manually and I was still unable to load a mag with rounds in. Here are pics of the mag with snap caps in to simulate rounds, and a pic of the pin that is not flush with the grip body. Any further suggestions are appreciated as I would like to go to the range on Friday and zero in my new red dot scope.
 

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I just looked at my FPC (unloaded) and something is definitely off in yours. In your first picture, I ***think** your hammer is in front of the bolt. I can't even see the breech in your photo. I would take the bolt out again and see if the hammer is forward as JRD noted. If so, push it back. There is a YouTube video out there showing how to do this. Good luck!
 
OK, I just looked at that video again. Your picture is identical to what is shown in the video. It appears your trigger needs to be reset. The video suggests you do exactly what JRD says. One clarification though, it is the trigger that needs to be reset, not the hammer. At least that is what the video says. I do not know if links are allowed in posts, but you can search for "S&W FPC trigger resetting method" on YT.
 
Clearly from your photos, the hammer is front of the bolt. MikeAEZ is correct in his evaluation and suggested remedy.
 
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That is definitely assembled wrong. The hammer is in the "fired" position. You need to disassemble the rifle and push the hammer into the cocked position and then engage the safety. I'm attaching a copy of your pic with the hammer circled. Hopefully your rifle is not damaged.

Here is a video showing how to field strip the FPC. This channel also has videos showing how to get the hammer into the cocked position for proper assembly.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik27zzSyjTc[/ame]

Here is the hammer reset video:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzmf_qTBkIY[/ame]

The pin that is part way out holds he hammer group in the rifle. When you field strip your gun tap it back in flush. If it doesn't stay then you have a problem.
 

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Just a quick update to this post. I tried following the instructions from the video, and unfortunately (for me) the hammer would not move in the direction that the video suggested that it move. I will be taking it back to the shop that I bought it at tomorrow to have their gunsmith take a look at it. I'd rather have a professional work on it and if something breaks it's their responsibility to fix it.
 
I had this happen to mine. The rifle must be cocked, it cannot be done with a finger. Use a dowel rod of a large diameter and push the bolt to the rear. Once locked everything will work right. The use of the safety is important.
 
Final update on this post. The gunsmith at the range pulled up the video on his PC, and since he has 'piano player fingers' and was able to push the hammer back into place on his first try. Taking it down to the range, it was working normally. Was able to dial in the Holosun 510C sight, and was getting center target shots all the way out to 25 yards almost effortlessly. Next trip will be trying it out on the 50 yard side. Thanks for all the info and Shoot Safe!!
 
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