Cracked Slide - M&P 40 - Pics

[magnum12pm]

I came home tonight from the range, upon begining to clean the MP, I discovered the slide is cracked. Its cracked right on the rail where it slides along the receiver half way back. I have already called for a shipping label. I will try and get a good picture of the slide up after work tomorrow. I can't see how any presure could be applied in that part of the slide to cause a crack. This gun was purchased 11/18/2006.

 

[magnum12pm]

I came home tonight from the range, upon begining to clean the MP, I discovered the slide is cracked. Its cracked right on the rail where it slides along the receiver half way back. I have already called for a shipping label. I will try and get a good picture of the slide up after work tomorrow. I can't see how any presure could be applied in that part of the slide to cause a crack. This gun was purchased 11/18/2006.

 

[magnum12pm]

Here are the pictures, I welcome your comments. I don't get this at all. I have sent this gun back two other times for minor problems, however this looks serious this time around.

 

[handgunner356]

I would say there had to be a flaw in the slide to begin with. Not really in a high stress area, but I guess a new slide is in order. Hopefully the third time is a charm.

 

[AKsRule]

Originally posted by handgunner356:
I would say there had to be a flaw in the slide to begin with. Not really in a high stress area, but I guess a new slide is in order. Hopefully the third time is a charm.

Are M&P Slides cast , or forged?

 

[CTPete]

Originally posted by AKsRule:

Are M&P Slides cast , or forged?

FORGED!

 

[Will B]

Wow! that looks pretty serious. I would be intrested in what S&W has to say about this failure and I'm also intrested in the other two issues you sent the pistol back for. I have a M&P 45 and truly enjoy the pistol and haven't had any issue in the past year. I'm looking at a M&P 9mm compact but will wait awhile to hear what you can learn/share.

I expect you will be sending the complete pistol back to S&W as there might be damage to the frame or an issue with the slide guides.

 

[Will B]

The slides are forged, I have put over 2,000 rounds through my M&P 45 with out issue but have to say this is concerning.

 

[Anton Chigurh]

I'd be pissed if this happened to me....but realistically, when you mass produce, stuff happens.
We know there is a problem........how it is dealt with is the nexus .....

 

[reerc]

Originally posted by Will B:
I would be intrested in what S&W has to say about this failure ...

Don't be holdin' your breath. We'll likely see a new slide with no explanation. (as much as we might want one.)

 

[Ignatz]

I would think they would like to really examine that pistol carefully. If they gave you a new gun would they have to issue the same serial #, or would you have to re-register a new gun?

 

[magnum12pm]

The other issues and remember this gun was purchased early in production of the M&P. I would guess about 10 thousand rounds of use over the two years I have had it. It first would not feed reliably at all, they polished the feed ramp and chamber, all was well. Then about a year into ownership the magazine began to drop out unexpectly, they replaced defective catch with a harder metal part, faulted the vendor for using out of spec. metal. You are correct S&W never to my knowlede explains their repairs or gives opinions as to cause. However I am not pissed, must be getting soft with age.

By the way it is boxed and ready to go out to Mass. Thursday, I'm getting good at boxing guns and fed-xing.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by magnum12pm:
I came home tonight from the range, upon begining to clean the MP, I discovered the slide is cracked. Its cracked right on the rail where it slides along the receiver half way back. I have already called for a shipping label. I will try and get a good picture of the slide up after work tomorrow. I can't see how any presure could be applied in that part of the slide to cause a crack. This gun was purchased 11/18/2006.

If you build enough of anything, sooner or later, some weird stuff turns up. I am sure they will replace the slide and you will have no further trouble.

This is another good reason to always have a spare or twin, just in case the primary gun goes down or needs service.

 

[Will B]

It might not be worth anything but mention that you posted this problem on the S&W forum and other members are intrested in first what caused the failure and second how S&W delt with the issue.

I had an Issue with a F&H pistol and after expressing that I had posted the issue on the owner web site I got better service and a detailed explaination of the defect.

 

[Will B]

Originally posted by Ignatz:
I would think they would like to really examine that pistol carefully. If they gave you a new gun would they have to issue the same serial #, or would you have to re-register a new gun?

If they replace the firearm it would be a new serial number, they can't reissue a serial number for a firarm and yes you would have to re register it.

 

[gmchenry]

Originally posted by Ignatz:
If they gave you a new gun would they have to issue the same serial #, or would you have to re-register a new gun?

Do you live somewhere that has gun registration?

S&W has the appropriate licenses where they can replace the gun with a new serial number and destroy the old one.

 

[Landric]

When I was shooting the Blackwater Shootout (IDPA) last weekend a woman in my squad experienced a catastrophic failure with the slide on her M&P9. It blew off a several inch chunk of the slide (top side) in front of the ejection port. Interestingly enough the gun fired several more rounds before it locked up. It was not an ammo failure, no ruptured case, no damage to the barrel. It just simply blew off a chunk of the slide.

Luckily for her, she had a spare M&P9 with her and was able to keep shooting. She said the M&P in question had over 30,000 rounds through it, but she was not sure of an exact number. I am sure S&W will make it right, but it was interesting to see.

I went with two friends, and all of us were also shooting M&Ps. Two .45s and one .40. I had two ammo-related failures to go completely into battery, but other than that, no hiccups with any of our M&Ps.

 

[18DAI]

Landric, I don't recall you having any ammo related failures with your 4566

See you in Oxford! Regards 18DAI.

 

[SOUTHPAW]

Landric, my friend I was there and have pictures on my phone. I will try and post them later.
I was shooting SSR with you guys.

 

[Fastbolt]

Things can happen to virtually any machined metal component, but S&W has been in the business of forging and heat-treating for quite a while.

Considering the slides are forged & through-hardened and then receive the Melonite hardening process, I'd wonder whether something occurred during the nitrocarburizing process which affected the metal. Dunno, though.

Whatever the case may be, I'd think S&W would quickly and simply replace at least the slides under warranty, without fuss, presuming there was no damage to the frame.