Hey all,

At my last match I got a lot of misfires with my M&P9. I figured it might be my reloads, but I had similar results with factory ammo. I cleaned up the gun thoroughly, including striker and striker channel, and got similar results at a practice tonight. I'm thinking my next step is going to be, unless someone has another suggestion, to change the striker spring. I have 8k rounds through the guns and I figure it might be getting weak. Two questions related to that:

1) I shoot in Production, so I can only use parts from the original manufacturer. Anyone knows where I can find original S&W M&P9 striker springs?

2) Any good guides out there on how to swap the spring without messing everything up?

Cheers

You didn't mention what kind of matches, but I'll assume USPSA. They allow internal component (not visible from the outside) replacement in Production. I don't replace just the spring, I replace the whole striker assembly, but it's real simple, just pull back the spring, slide the little nylon keeper out of the way and remove the spring. There are a number of "How to's" on the internet, but it's really not needed, It's very easy to do.

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Minimize the variables

I'm shooting IPSC, outside of the US. I'd love if that was the case to be honest. Are you referring the IPSC rules or the USPSA ones?

I was talking about the USPSA rules, but I wouldn't be surprised it IPSC was the same. Think about the logistics in enforcing those kind of rules on internal parts. I don't think I've ever seen a spring with a part number on it. If it's any help, I run my striker springs to 30K to 40K rounds, the only light strike problems I've ever had was either from not fully seated primers or a buildup of junk in the striker channel not allowing the striker full extension. Here's a link to a cleaning thread I started (and another that you might find interesting)

M&P cleaning 101

9mm Core at 60K

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Minimize the variables

Call s&w they will most likely send you one.

They would if he was inside the US, I don't know the procedure for other countries but suspect it would have to go through the importer for that country and not the manufacturer.

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Minimize the variables

The one spring that normally needs replacing by 8k is the recoil spring, IIRC.

Might simply be the strike channel full if brass and powder residue depending on when it was cleaned out , and any changed to powder used . You can also get heavier than stock springs from wolff .

The entire M&P striker assembly is available from Brownells. I just replaced one that had a piece missing from the striker tip, causing misfires. Since the striker assembly is a part furnished by S&W and identical to the pat that came with the gun, it is legal to replace in IPSC. I strongly recommend you do so, rather than take it apart: in my case, the problem was the striker itself.
S&W Part # 393790000

Brownells order number 940-000-974WB $29.95

I keep spare recoil assemblies, striker assemblies, and trigger return springs on hand. These are considered wear parts that eventually need replacement with high use, like competition (per S&W).

After you remove the striker assembly, clean out the striker channel, including the gas relief hole drilled from the bottom of the slide into the forward part of the striker channel. The sleeve that remains in the channel does not have to be replaced unless it is damaged (I had to make a special tool to remove the sleeve). Do not put grease or oil in the striker channel, as this will foul quickly and cause misfires. (A tiny drop of Remoil is probably OK.) The plastic is self-lubricating and likes to be clean and dry.

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Science plus Art

Brownells, Midway and Speed Shooters are all out of stock right now.

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Randy

Yes, it seems to be the norm that S&W parts go in and out of stock almost on a daily basis. Half of my parts orders are backordered, and Brownells sends them when available.
I notice the coveted S&W 9mm barrels are in stock today! Probably not for long.

Another reason to buy spare parts beforehand.

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Science plus Art

G&R has them in stock, they have a $50 minimum order but I always find enough stuff to easily go over that amount.

S&W M&P 9/40/357 Striker and Striker Assembly at G and R Tactical

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Minimize the variables

Quick question: how did you clean the striker channel?
Reason I ask is simply that you don't want any oil in that area and using just a dry pipe cleaner or q tip doesn't get it very clean in my experience.

I use some 91% alcohol and a q tip and then run a dry q tip through it. You might be amazed how much gunk you get out of there.

I scrape the back side of the breech face with a long skinny straight bladed screwdriver(think a large jewelers screwdriver), that loosens the carbon up, then I use a long q-tip to clean it out. What I'm trying to get rid of is anything that will prevent the striker from reaching the full extension.

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Minimize the variables

Thank you very much for all the answers guys.

I did use CLP inside the striker channel, even though I tried to take off as much as I could with a Q-tip after. I will give alcohol and patches a shot instead.

How do you guys clean up the hole that the firing pin goes through at the end of the striker channel? (And for that matter, what is that hole called?)