Fail to load, mag stuck in gun M&P 9

[Kizer]

Just tonight i noticed something that hasnt happened before. Tonight i went to load my M&P9 and normally and everytime before, i could slam a loaded mag into it and the slide would close automatically and one would be loaded and i was good to go. Tonight, either three things happen, one; it closes and loads one, two; it half closes with one slightly loaded and the slide not closed all the way, or three; i slam it in there, the slide doesnt close, and when i go to drop the mag back out, i am literally holding the release button and digging my fingers into the bottom of the grip to pull the mag out, which then the slide closes. Does this with both mags. What is going on here? Could it be my SD ammo causing this? I am running Federal 147 Hydra-Shok.

 

[mlapaglia]

The slide releasing is not a feature of the M&P. Yes many will do it if you hit them hard enough but its not a design feature. Try it with some other ammo and see if you still have the problem. The best way to ensure a load is to pull the slide back and slingshot it to load a cartridge. You can not be guarantee that smacking the mag will properly load the weapon. Yes it has been working for you but that is no guarantee that it will continue.

 

[Arik]

Correct ..... it'd not a design but some autos may do it and some don't

 

[McE]

Maybe you're slamming in the mags enough for it to wedge into the ejector.

 

[Hotshot9]

I know that my M&P 9mm performance does not close the slide when I slam a mag into it. I have to use slide release or pull it back manually.

 

[scooter123]

I have to ask why you are "Slamming" the magazine into a pistol that has the slide locked back. To me that seems to be both a wasted force and potentially damaging to either the pistol or the magazine. I would suggest simply inserting the magazine until it clicks into place. Then slingshot the slide to insure a round is chambered. Note, I will "slam" a magazine in on a closed slide to insure it locks it but when the slide is closed the top round in the magazine acts as a spring buffer against the bottom of the slide which is designed for this kind of force.

 

[Kizer]

So here it is. It is my ammo. The HP is getting jammed at the bottom of the feed ramp. With my practice ammo, FMJ 115, i have no problems. I can lock slide back, load a mag with a few FMJs and slam it into the gun and the slide automatically closes and loads one.

This is kinda my fault i think, because when im at the range, i practice my emergency reloads and shooting with FMJ, so thats why i never noticed this before. But lastnight, for fun i was practicing emergency reloads with my HP and thats when i noticed the problem. If i throw the mag in enough to have it lock in the gun, then manually release the slide, it loads perfect EVERYTIME. I think i kinda got over excited and thought i messed up my gun. I guess its just the type of ammo that causes this.

Also looked online in other places, and Police Departments have the same problem. They noticed if the tried the emergency reload and the automatic slide release/load when they loaded a mag with HPs, it did the exact same thing i was describing.

I guess i will just have to practice loading the mag and hitting the release with the HPs. Just came as a shock because the auto reload/ slide release is awesome when you're in a hurry to reload and fire.


*Also, when i say i "slam" a mag in there, i just mean quickly insert mag into gun. I am not taking it and actually slamming it in there and beating the bottom of the mag on the table. Now i know that with the HPs i have to just get the mag in and manually release the slide. I guess it was better to find out at home then in a real Emergency.

 

[epj]

Actually, the thingy on the side of the gun is a "slide stop". The correct way to load a semi auto is to insert the mag with the slide locked back, then pull the slide slightly to the rear. This releases the slide stop and gives the slide full travel to strip off the top cartridge. If you want to top off the mag, it will take a little extra force to insert the full mag on the closed slide.

 

[Bob O]

My usual reply....tell Jerry Miculek its not a slide release.

 

[epj]

The slide stop can be used for a release. Particularly if one has large hands. I did it that way for years. Some guns, I have to shift my grip to reach the lever. I learned later in life the slingshot method works better. YMMV.

 

[BigDog48]

My usual reply....tell Jerry Miculek its not a slide release.

I'm fairly sure Jerry is not carrying guns with stock slide lock levers on them, and I'm absolutely sure S&W will do anything he wants for him, tuning-wise.

 

[Bob O]

Have a look at his vids, he shows the pistols up close.