Disappointed with new M&P 9

[CavScout 00]

I suggested in post #11 that you contact S&W on Monday and send it back in for repair if you felt it was defective. That was not the answer you wanted.

What I do not understand is why someone would take a file to a new gun to make it fit some preconceived idea on how it should work instead of how it was designed. I can understand how someone can mistake the slide stop on a 1911 for a slide release, but that tiny little lever on an M&P? If the pistol were to work as you desire, you will eventually miss that tiny lever during a reload under stress. I hope you choose to carry something else for self defense.

Planned on doing that, like I said I was looking for more information.

You said S&W wouldnt do anything to fix it. If they did i guarantee they would probably just file it down a bit or replace the part.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Planned on doing that, like I said I was looking for more information.

You said S&W wouldnt do anything to fix it. If they did i guarantee they would probably just file it down a bit or replace the part.

Exactly. You should have given them the first opportunity to make it right.

 

[Deadctr]

Cav,
If your M&P is working better now, great. If not, I'll be glad to take it off your hands. I could stand another.

Thanks!

 

[Rick_A]

They are stiff on most modern polymer framed autos as they tend to have no mechanical advantage unlike most older legacy models and designs.

I would, like others, just rack the slide.

If not, get one of them competition releases. For every complaint, someone makes a part for that.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Are we done yet??

 

[N4KVE]

Exactly. You should have given them the first opportunity to make it right.

Make it right, there's nothing wrong with it. GARY

 

[k20350]

As has been stated above it is a "slide stop" not a "slide release". If you look at parts diagrams for 99% of pistols it will be referred to as a "slide stop" or "bolt stop" (Ruger Mk I,II,III, etc). If you repeatedly use the stop on a Ruger Mk .22 as a release they will eventually wear out and the bolt will no longer lock back. Again 95% of automatic handguns are meant to be "slingshotted" when a loaded mag is present.

 

[buzzkillbob]

Boy, I bet you guys would flip your lids if I started calling the barrel the "bullet tube"...which...I think I'll do from now on...

 

[MichiganScott]

Boy, I bet you guys would flip your lids if I started calling the barrel the "bullet tube"...which...I think I'll do from now on...

See what happens when you call a magazine a "clip" or a projectile a "bullet head". It'll look like the guys went easy on the OP.

 

[hardluk1]

IF ole cav scout was really in the army why does not operate the pistol the way he was taught in the army. Even if empty you still pull back and control the slide with your free hand as you push down the slide lock . With a full mag you pull back and release the slide PERIOD

 

[catcus-jack]

I have noticed that on this forum if you have a problem with the holy grail of handguns the M&P it is never the firearms fault.It must be something you the owner of the gun has done.I have 5 M&Ps and believe me they are not the perfect gun people make the out to be.If they were Apex would be out of business.If you want a real reliable gun get a Beretta 92 or Sig p226 or P228/P229.Slide release/slide stop,slingshot,overhand or release the slide with your big toe what difference does it make as long as the slide goes forward when you want it to and picks up the next round.I can tell you 1 thing for sure releasing it with you thumb from the slide stop is the quickest method.My advice use what ever method works for you personally the best.

 

[M1melo]

When I first got my M&P 9 I had the same issue. What I would do was pull the slide back, press the release and let it go. After a while of having to do that the slide release works like a charm. You just have to break it in a little.

 

[Rick_A]

I have noticed that on this forum if you have a problem with the holy grail of handguns the M&P it is never the firearms fault.It must be something you the owner of the gun has done.I have 5 M&Ps and believe me they are not the perfect gun people make the out to be.If they were Apex would be out of business.If you want a real reliable gun get a Beretta 92 or Sig p226 or P228/P229.Slide release/slide stop,slingshot,overhand or release the slide with your big toe what difference does it make as long as the slide goes forward when you want it to and picks up the next round.I can tell you 1 thing for sure releasing it with you thumb from the slide stop is the quickest method.My advice use what ever method works for you personally the best.

Nothing made by man is perfect. For any guns in a similar price range it's largely a matter of preference.

For every fanboy of one brand there's a hater as well.

The OP has a common problem in that he doesn't appear to understand the gun. Nobody is defending the brand, but unless it's been well broken in through repeated long term use THEY ALL DO THAT.

 

[ATF]

I have noticed that on this forum if you have a problem with the holy grail of handguns the M&P it is never the firearms fault.It must be something you the owner of the gun has done.I have 5 M&Ps and believe me they are not the perfect gun people make the out to be.If they were Apex would be out of business.If you want a real reliable gun get a Beretta 92 or Sig p226 or P228/P229.

The guns you mention are not polymer. The whole idea of polymer is it's much lighter. This creates problems with people who have never shot polymer before. The recoil is different because the gun is lighter. I have a West German P226 and it's a great gun but heavy and no way would I carry it. Then you get the Glock guys that say you must have a reset And then 1911 and revolver guys that have been shooting their whole life but couldn't hit a barn unless they are holding 4-5lbs of steel I don't believe anyone would say the M&P is 100% perfect but it's a great platform and if you modify it, it becomes excellent. 90% of the issues are people shooting low and left and cheap ammo. But you're told a Glock can't shoot lead ammo because of it's special barrel The remaining 10% are probably QC issues but usually minor like this thread. Go to other gun forums and you will see exactly the same thing

 

[k20350]

Boy, I bet you guys would flip your lids if I started calling the barrel the "bullet tube"...which...I think I'll do from now on...

I wasn't trying to be a jerk. I was trying to make the point that the M&P slide isn't designed to be dropped with the slide stop lever. Nor is a Glock, XD, FNX, etc. Sorry I pi$$ed in your cheerios. I actually added an extended stop on a Glock 20 I had until i realized i was operating the pistol wrong. Also the comments I made about the Ruger were also from personal experience having replaced the one in mine twice. OP can go on on being mad 'cause he are using it wrong. It is America after all.

 

[Bkreutz]

Yes, if you use the slide stop to release the slide it will eventually break, mine broke at 60K rounds (although the button broke off on the left side, the right side still worked). Smith sent me a new one (and I bought some spares) and I have a spare in the bag so I'm all ready when I hit the 120K mark. The stop never did fail to lock the slide back after running the mag dry.

Here's a link to the thread that I was doing when the stop button broke off.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/388083-9mm-core-60k.html

 

[kbm6893]

It seems to me if S&W intended it to be used as a slide release, they would have made it a tad wider to actually get your thumb on it to push down. My 92 has a nice little ledge to put your thumb on. That little flush lever doesn't make it easy.

 

[CavScout 00]

IF ole cav scout was really in the army why does not operate the pistol the way he was taught in the army. Even if empty you still pull back and control the slide with your free hand as you push down the slide lock . With a full mag you pull back and release the slide PERIOD

The reason they teach that is due to the M9. Using the slide release can interfere with decocker safties.

Do you have a different name for a decocker? Just want to make surr were on the same page because m&ps dont have one.

 

[CavScout 00]

I have noticed that on this forum if you have a problem with the holy grail of handguns the M&P it is never the firearms fault.It must be something you the owner of the gun has done.I have 5 M&Ps and believe me they are not the perfect gun people make the out to be.If they were Apex would be out of business.If you want a real reliable gun get a Beretta 92 or Sig p226 or P228/P229.Slide release/slide stop,slingshot,overhand or release the slide with your big toe what difference does it make as long as the slide goes forward when you want it to and picks up the next round.I can tell you 1 thing for sure releasing it with you thumb from the slide stop is the quickest method.My advice use what ever method works for you personally the best.

Yeah and I wasnt even bashing it which is the sad part. Shield is my edc. Picked up the 9 for home defense. After shooting it looks like its going to replace my current HD gun once I run some more rounds through it to amke sure its good to go.

So I'm a guy who trusts his life to M&Ps.

To me they have issues with quality control. They have common issues but it seems like its hit or miss. Hard to manipulate or inoperable slide stops and gritty triggers. I would glady pay a little more if they would inspect and polish those parts more.

Only other complaint is the grip. But everyone always hits the aftermarket up for that anyways.

No gun is perfect.

 

[stevet1]

All the M&P's are that way when new. They're so stiff it takes two thumbs to push the release lever down. Once you shoot it for a while, it will break in and become totally effortless. I've been using it this way for thousands of rounds with no problems of any kind what soever. The M&P is one of the finest guns around in my opinion and I've shot most of them. Put an Apex kit in it and it will become amazing and accurate too.