SOLVED: M&P40 and Laserlyte Trainer Cartridge Troubleshoot

usna93 · #1 02-25-2013, 04:47 PM

I just bought a new Laserlyte trainer cartridge (LT-40) for my S&W M&P 40. The laser works fine when depressing the cap. The M&P dry fires just fine. But when putting the Laserlyte in, it won't "fire". Anyone else have any experiences with their M&P and Laserlyte trainer cartridges?

gnystrom · #2 02-26-2013, 10:38 AM

By the "it wont fire" I suppose you are saying the laser will not light up. I have a 9mm version and I find that you have to insert the cartridge and make sure it does not go too far into the chamber. My guess is you are not getting good contact with the firing pin. Contact Laserlyte if this does not fix your issue.

usna93 · #3 02-26-2013, 02:56 PM

My apologies, I should have been more clear. The laser works just fine. The gun and firing pin won't fire with the trainer cartridge in the chamber. I'll try what you did with your 9mm...although when I release the slide, it pushes the cartridge forward as it would a normal bullet.

cracker57 · #4 02-26-2013, 04:34 PM

try to loosen the threads where you put the battery, in other words don't tighten it all the way, it seems as though it is a little short so by not tightening the threads all the way down you are leaving it a little longer. hope this makes sense and is clearer than mud.

usna93 · #5 02-26-2013, 06:10 PM

Thanks cracker57. I tried loosening it up to various amounts but still no joy. And just to clarify, with the trainer cartridge in the chamber, I can't even pull the trigger.

scooter123 · #6 02-26-2013, 08:17 PM

I suspect that your hand feeding that laserlyte cartridge into the chamber instead of feeding it from a magazine. If so, I would strongly urge you to put that cartridge in a magazine and feed it in normally, What I think is happening is that cartridge is sitting in FRONT of the extractor instead of the being properly engaged. If so, it's keeping the slide from fully returning to battery and causing your dead trigger.

Now something for you to note and remember. Most semi autos aren't entended to have casings hand fed into the chamber with the ejector snapping over the rim. If you do this too frequently you'll find yourself looking at a broken extractor at some point. By design the cartridge is intended to slide up the breach fact under the extractor hook and the only purpose of the spring tension on the extractor is to provide just a bit of tension against the cartridge. As for the rare exceptions, the Berretta 92 is one pistol that was designed to allow hand feeding the chamber and I have no doubt there are others. However, I also suspect that in total the number of pistols designed for hand feeding is probably under 20.

usna93 · #7 02-26-2013, 10:27 PM

Scooter123, thanks for the info. You're right; I was hand feeding it per the instructions of the Laserlyte. Interestingly the cartridge won't fit in the magazine- it's a bit too long. Thanks for the info on risks of hand feeding. I was not aware of that. Looks like the M&P 40 and the LT40 Laserlyte training cartridge aren't compatible...hope someone proves me wrong or it'll be a sale on Craigslist.

usna93 · #8 03-01-2013, 11:59 PM

SOLVED. Despite Google searching considerable amount and not finding anyone with a similar issue, I stumbled upon a small tidbit of information from an Amazon feedback posting where someone had this Laserlyte cartridge and the same gun. He reported that he had to add a bit more force on the slide to properly seat the Laserlyte; you can't just release the slide and assume that will seat the Laserlyte...you have to give it a little palm nudge. I did that and now it works fine. The Laserlyte's actually have some black gasket material on their cartridges and that's what was causing the initial improper seating. Thanks to all for your ideas.

Dikinalaska · #9 03-02-2013, 12:08 AM

Did you get the target as well?

usna93 · #10 03-02-2013, 01:44 PM

Yes I did. It works pretty well. My shots are hitting left but it's probably me and my rusty shooting. If you get one, recommend you get a cheap laser pointer. I use mine to activate the sensor to show my shots and to reset. Doesn't work with my Viridian green laser though.

Dikinalaska · #11 03-02-2013, 03:11 PM

Perfect. I'm thinking about one of these for training on cold days and HD training with the girlfriend. Have her/me go in the room and place it somewhere around the house so she has to find/shoot it. (Disclaimer-we don't practice this as actual home defense, just learning to acquire target under distress and shot placement.) That, or hang it around a mannequin's neck and hide or move it about and she has to acquire/shoot.

usna93 · #12 03-02-2013, 05:11 PM

As with anything, people either like it or rip it. Overall though I saw more positive reviews so I went ahead and bought it. It's too bad you can't reset the Laserlyte cartridge faster otherwise having more than one target system would be fun since you could engage multiple targets. I actually have 1 brand new one still in the plastic if you're interested. (not an intentional sale pitch but just thought I'd mention it since we're on the subject).

Dmartin · #13 03-02-2013, 06:33 PM

I got some reflective tape and covered a 3 x 5 notecard and a business card for targets. The tape reflects the laser very well and lets me know if I was on target. I found the laser true to the sights if I held the gun vertical when feeding the laser into the pipe. Holding the gun normally with the barrel parallel to the ground introduced some error. After a month of coupe of hundred shots a day, my range accuracy went up 20%.

I don't think directly inserting the cartridge into the barrel will cause extractor problems because there is no rim on the cartridge for the extractor to grip.

usna93 · #14 03-02-2013, 07:42 PM

Dmartin, thanks for the tip. I'll try it out. Clever set up you did!

Dikinalaska · #15 03-02-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usna93

As with anything, people either like it or rip it. Overall though I saw more positive reviews so I went ahead and bought it. It's too bad you can't reset the Laserlyte cartridge faster otherwise having more than one target system would be fun since you could engage multiple targets. I actually have 1 brand new one still in the plastic if you're interested. (not an intentional sale pitch but just thought I'd mention it since we're on the subject).

Yes I am. Pm me

Redbellie · #16 03-03-2013, 03:06 AM

Hahaha....I am so totally out of the loop these days. I have seen comments of Laserlyte but had no idea what this was about...but tonight after reading this thread I was inclined to seek and learn about this business...I did and I'm impressed! It's a little on the high side if you get the target but the Laserlyte cartridge alone in not to bad. My question is, is it worth the cost for just the cartridge? I noticed Dmartin just used cards and tape and seemed to be fine with that. I like that idea as it appeals to my frugal side! Thanks for this enlightening thread!!

usna93 · #17 03-24-2013, 09:56 PM

Redbellie, good question on cost. It isn't cheap. So far though the cartridge is lasting and not breaking down and it has been fun to just have some target practice at home esp. with all the snow...and no need to clean it after.