Cracked Slide - M&P 40 - Pics

[magnum12pm]

Originally posted by 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.

I have sent several guns back to S&W and have had nothing but fantastic service. The longest they have ever kept one of them is 6 day turn around. Thats one reason I never buy anything but S&W, so far anyway. I sent my Pro Series 1911 back to them without firing a single shot from it because it had a 5 pound 10 ounce trigger pull. The gun came back 5 days later with 4 pound 7 ounces. When it comes to service they have no equal in my book.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by 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.

+1

This crap happens to everyone who manufactures machinery. If Honda transmissions were perfect I would be looking for work.

 

[presspics]

It happens. No guns are perfect. SIG had frames and slides cracking, Glock has had frames fail. Beretta had slide failures etc etc.

 

[Landric]

Originally posted by 18DAI:
Landric, I don't recall you having any ammo related failures with your 4566

See you in Oxford! Regards 18DAI.

True that. The 4566 will be coming out for one of the day matches on Day/Night/Day this year, but I'm planning on shooting the night match with my Beretta M9A1. Hopefully I won't be required to shoot any steel plates in total darkness this year.

I think I'm going to go SSR at the other day match. Will I be seeing you there for Day/Night/Day?

 

[Landric]

Originally posted by 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.

Looking forward to seeing the pics, I didn't get as good a look at it as I would have liked at the match.

I'm also hoping the scores are posted soon so I can see how badly I did overall.

 

[Spotteddog]

Perhaps a novice question, but?
Is the damaged notch in the side pictured the one for the slide stop, or take down?
Just curious...

 

[magnum12pm]

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
Perhaps a novice question, but?
Is the damaged notch in the side pictured the one for the slide stop, or take down?
Just curious...

It is the slide stop notch, however you will note that the crack is on the muzzle end of notch where the slide stop does not hit or catch if that is what you are thinking. That is the reason I say no stress in that spot, since the slide stop actually hits the other end of the notch, not where the crack is located.

 

[conn ak]

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.

Those are some frightening photos.

 

[Spotteddog]

Magnum12,
The reason I asked, is that with some background in forged high stress engine parts, it is typical to avoid 90 degree millings anywhere. Putting a radius on corners (at least in the past) was a standard in production. Hard angles can at times weaken an otherwise bullet proof part, by setting up harmonics that can cause part failures. At times where a hard 90 is required, a set of striations will sometimes be done, to break up the rebound of forces acting inside the part. Something like a carpenters hammer that begins to "sing", when the texture on the hammers face is worn away.

 

[magnum12pm]

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
Magnum12,
The reason I asked, is that with some background in forged high stress engine parts, it is typical to avoid 90 degree millings anywhere. Putting a radius on corners (at least in the past) was a standard in production. Hard angles can at times weaken an otherwise bullet proof part, by setting up harmonics that can cause part failures. At times where a hard 90 is required, a set of striations will sometimes be done, to break up the rebound of forces acting inside the part. Something like a carpenters hammer that begins to "sing", when the texture on the hammers face is worn away.

Thats interesting stuff Spotted, makes sense too!

 

[WR Moore]

S&W changed the machining of the slide stop notch some time back to eliminate the sharp corners.

However, I see what appears to be a flaw in the material in the slide stop notch extending toward the failed rail. Might be a tool mark, but could be contributing in either case. A similar mark was visible on the failed slide seen on the MP-pistol forum. Just because the part is forged doesn't mean that flaws in the material don't exist. Given the hundreds of thousands manufactured, the odd defect isn't a sign of the end of times.

 

[magnum12pm]

I got the MP 40 back, with a new slide as expected. They had no comment as expected. They of course paid shipping both ways as usual. They did install new sites, so I will put it on the pistol rest to verify accracy. The turn around on shipping was excellent as usual. I shipped it out on Thursday it was back on Wensday. I have sent three different firearms to S&W over the years and have never had them keep one over 6 days. I don't like having to send them back, but how can I complain about the service of S&W?

 

[customizedcreationz]

Thats great customer service to have it back so quick and paying shipping and what not ( they should have anyways ).

 

[brucepointdi]

I also found my slide had cracked after an IDPA match. In fact the crack was in the exact location as the above pictures indicate. Sent my M&P 9 to S&W and got it back in less than a week with a new slide.

Nothing like good customer service.

However our safety officers and armorers are still inspecting all M&P sidearms before each match or qualification. So far they not found any more problems.

 

[msh85csa]

This looks exactly like the slide crack that occured on the torture tested pistoltraining.com M&P9 at around 62000 rds. Same place and all. Curious indeed.