A couple of newbie questions.

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Hi All: I've just joined the ranks of handgun owners, in particular, the SD40VE. I have yet to be able to fire it (come on Saturday) but as I've gotten to know the weapon, i've noted a couple of things that I am wondering about.

1. When loading the mag, it is difficult to get the 13th and 14th round in. Is this normal maybe due to tightness in the mag spring? Do I risk damaging the previously inserted round?

2. When inserting the mag in the gun, if I pop it in too firmly, 90% of the time, it will misfeed when I work the slide to chamber a round. If I carefully insert the mag and press on it until it click, I don't seem to have misfeed issues. Is this typical? Could it be related to what I referenced in question one?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[3hounds]

1. yes this is normal, keep the mag. loaded till sat.

No you risk damaging your fingers.LOL

2.Probably related to new mag.

Are you inserting the mag. with the slide open or closed ?

3

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

3hounds, Thanks for the response and advice. I am inserting the mag with the slide closed.

 

[3hounds]

Make sure your pulling the slide all the way back when releasing it.

Try it with the slide open, make sure your pointing it in a safe direction.

It could be from the mag. springs being new.

I didn't load my mags. to full capacity until they got broken in some.

We're here to answer questions the best we could usually from experience.

3

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Thanks. I'd considered just going with 12 in the mag for a while. I'm sure it will loosen up some.

 

[OKFC05]

The standard manual of arms for loading a full magazine is to have the slide open, because if it is closed you have to compress the ammo another 1/2 cartridge against the slide to get the mag locked.
You probably are not getting the mag fully locked, causing the misfeed.
Sometimes the mag will fall to the ground after the first shot, much to the amusement of everyone except the shooter.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

OKFC05, Thanks. I do press until i hear it click but will try it with the slide open.

 

[GKC]

Whenever I buy a new gun, I load the magazines to capacity, and let them sit for a week or so. It can be tough to fully load a new magazine, but I use an UpLula (get yourself one, you'll find it makes loading MUCH easier) and I've rarely found a magazine that I couldn't fully load even when new, by using the UpLula. I also leave the slide locked open for the same period of time.

Clean your new pistol and lube it properly (the owner's manual and YouTube can show you how) before going to the range.

Good luck!

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Thanks GKC. I did clean and lube the gun per the owners manual. I've had the mag full for about a week now. I'll look into the UpLula.

 

[GKC]

One more comment: it's not usually an issue on the S&W polymer pistols, but some other makes/models come dripping in oil, and it finds its way into the magazines. You need to clean the magazines if that is the case...you don't want oil in your mags! (I've never seen the need to clean a new S&W magazine.)

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I experimented with locking the slide back before putting in the mag. I think my issues stemmed from a couple of things. One, a tight new mag being inserted with the slide closed and, two (perhaps more critical) I think I was being a bit tentative when working the slide. I think perhaps I had some false sense that by letting the slide slam home naturally I could damage it or cause the weapon to fire. I found that by loading with the slide locked (which is how it would be if you emptied the mag) and just letting the slide work as it was designed, i had no issues with misfeeds. It was only when I tried to "control" the slide that I saw any issues. Thanks to everyone for your advice. This is a great forum and I'm feeling great about my choice of handgun. Barring bad weather, I'll get to see how it fires this weekend and I cannot wait.

 

[shawn mccarver]

1. Normal. You will not damage the previous rounds.

2. Make sure you run the slide a FULL SPEED. By that I mean, do not ride the slide. Let it chamber that round as vigorously as possible.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Shawn, that is exactly the mistake I found myself making. Riding the slide instead of releasing it and letting it work.

 

[Rook]

Tip of the day!

My "Tip of the day"....The Uplula Mag loader is a bit expensive, but it's well worth it. Once you have it, fully loading mags is a piece of cake and actually fun! Get one!! Rook

 

[blackbird94]

my mags were a bear to get the last couple rounds in, the 1st 2-3 loads. Now no problem at all. Had a failure to feed and the very 1st round of 1st mag. 0 problems since. 200 rounds 0 issues

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Got the Uplula heading my way.

 

[GKC]

Got the Uplula heading my way.

I think you're really going to like it. I've used it to load many different pistols, in all the calibers of ammo that I use (.380, 9mm, .40, and .45) and in various magazine types (single stack, double stack, 1911, etc) and I've never had a problem with it.

The only problem I've encountered is that it spoils you...I've tried to load a magazine by hand on occasion after having the UpLula, and quickly give that up! In an emergency I could do it, of course, but for all other occasions, I'm reaching for my UpLula! In fact, I have two: one in my range bag, and one in my desk.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

You can spend some serious $$'s in this world. I'm already on the prowl for a HD 12 ga.

 

[GKC]

You can spend some serious $$'s in this world. I'm already on the prowl for a HD 12 ga.

Don't get started on 1911s...they are a serious addiction for me, and a serious cash drain. As are handguns in general. I've never been much into long guns, although I've owned a few over the years. I don't hunt anymore, and I feel more comfortable with a handgun for home defense, and all other general purposes.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

It is crazy how I can buy one handgun and suddenly start thinking, "Maybe I should get a 9mm....just in case .40 becomes scarce." And suddenly the old Winchester 1400 12 ga just isn't good enough because it only holds three.

 

[HalfStack]

And suddenly the old Winchester 1400 12 ga just isn't good enough because it only holds three.

Sound like you haven't taken the blocking rod out.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Everything I can find on the Winchester 1400 MK II says there is no plug and confirms that it is only 2+1. But, even if not true, it's a good excuse to buy a new one

 

[J Rich]

1. Normal. You will not damage the previous rounds.

2. Make sure you run the slide a FULL SPEED. By that I mean, do not ride the slide. Let it chamber that round as vigorously as possible.

Wait a minute.............Checking for fever............No, no fever. I can't believe I actually agree with Shawn. What is the world coming to?


All joking aside Shawn is 100% correct. Actually letting the slide slam home under it's own weight while a bullet is chambering is easier on parts and the gun. Than if you let it slam home empty. The bullet helps to buffer the shock on the parts from the action of the slide.


The Uplula is the best loader out there. It is a touch pricey, but it works with a variety of mags, so if you plan to own more handguns go with the Uplula.

 

[HalfStack]

This is where I got the info on it. Look at the specs, makes you wonder.

Winchester Model 1400 Mk II Shotgun - Gander Mountain

 

[J Rich]

Only 1 way to find out about the capacity of the 1400. Just unscrew the cap on the tube.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Only 1 way to find out about the capacity of the 1400. Just unscrew the cap on the tube.

The specs at the link in the previous post do show 4 + 1 for the Winchester 1400, but my recollection is that while the 1200 and 1300 have plugs, the 1400 Mk II has part of the gas system in place at the end of the mag tube, so its capacity is just 2 + 1 and it does not have a tube to remove.

 

[OKFC05]

I shot a Winchester 1400 skeet gun for years, have a 1973 vintage 1400 for hunting. The 1400 magazine takes 2, and that's it, period. My Remington 1100s will take 4 in the magazines with the plug out.

 

[J Rich]

The specs at the link in the previous post do show 4 + 1 for the Winchester 1400, but my recollection is that while the 1200 and 1300 have plugs, the 1400 Mk II has part of the gas system in place at the end of the mag tube, so its capacity is just 2 + 1 and it does not have a tube to remove.

Yes the 1300 has a plug and without the plug has a 5+1 cap. I know because I have a 1300. I understand about the gas system and all that. The link says it's a 1400 MK II with a 4+1. OP says his is 2+1

I am just going off the picture in the link, but at the front of the mag tube there appears to be a screw on cap. The 1300 has the same cap and once removed the plug can be removed.

All I'm saying is that the OP should remove this cap and see if there is a plug. I still understand that he may only find gas system parts, but atleased we will all know.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I completely broke the 1400 today after shooting it. The gas system is at the end of the mag tube. I did remove the cap at the end to clean the gas system. No plug that can be removed so far as I can see

BTW, the new S&W performed like a champ today. No misfeeds, no issues with about 100 rounds. Thanks again for all the words o wisdom.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Any advice as to a reasonably priced ammo for practice? And a source? I've searched Cheaperthandirt, cabelas, walmart, gander mountain, midwayusa, and others. Alot of them have decent pricing but kill you on the shipping.