Frustrated with Smith's Quality Control

[jmhgv2]

So I just purchased a new M&P CORE 9mm full size.

As many of you know, there have been issues with the accuracy of their full size 9mm at longer distances (~25 yards). Apparently these issues are due to the barrel, which has undergone a few modifications. The way you can tell you have the most up-to-date barrel is by looking at the number of dimples on the underside of the chamber by the lugs. There will either be no dimple, one dimple, or two dimples (oldest to newest).

While my new CORE was test-fired in September, the barrel has only one dimple. Smith is apparently using the newer two dimple barrels but also peddling off the older one dimple barrels, so they don't waste them.

What the hell, Smith?

I'm interested to hear all of your thoughts on this. There's a lot of information on the web about it, if this is new information to you.

Also, would you suggest sending my M&P in for the upgraded barrel?

 

[ACR1010]

Hell yea I would send it in. The longer u sit and wine about it they could be fixing the issue. Not trying to bust ur balls but the core ain't cheap. Send it in asap. Im not happy with qc either was my m&p but thankfully a trigger kit fixed my issue

 

[jmhgv2]

Hell yea I would send it in. The longer u sit and wine about it they could be fixing the issue. Not trying to bust ur balls but the core ain't cheap. Send it in asap. Im not happy with qc either was my m&p but thankfully a trigger kit fixed my issue

Thanks for the response. I'll definitely send it in. Just pissed that I have to send it in when I was so excited it was finally delivered to my FFL. The damn thing doesn't even have the upgraded reset.

Unfortunately, from the research I've done, Smith seems to be fairly wish-washy on admitting their pistols have substantial upgrades. So if I tell them I want the new barrel, I wonder if they'll just say, "what the hell are your talking about"?

 

[cb4017]

Have you shot it yet?

 

[Rastoff]

Have you shot it yet?

Excellent question. Why fix it if it ain't broke?

If the gun is shooting a 3" group (from a rest) at 25 yards, then who cares how many "dimples" It has?

 

[bobkatwells]

I haven't found any accuracy problems with my M&P 9 and my barrel has no dimple.

I agree with cb4017 and Rastoff. Before you complain- shoot it!

 

[rickyfinch]

I have to agree. Shoot the damn thing. I'm not well rehearsed in the m and p line and there issues, but this is new to me.unless the barrel is defective why would it be inaccurate?
Put some rounds down range, let us know what you find.

 

[ca survivor]

and if you want accuracy buy a 1911, even S&W make a few models.

 

[Rick_A]

Yup. Shoot the darn thing first.

Acceptable accuracy for a non-custom/non hand fit pistol is about 4" at 25 yards. If you wanted better, your expectations were too high.

 

[Kanewpadle]

and if you want accuracy buy a 1911, even S&W make a few models.

Boy that really helps!

 

[Kanewpadle]

So I just purchased a new M&P CORE 9mm full size.

As many of you know, there have been issues with the accuracy of their full size 9mm at longer distances (~25 yards). Apparently these issues are due to the barrel, which has undergone a few modifications. The way you can tell you have the most up-to-date barrel is by looking at the number of dimples on the underside of the chamber by the lugs. There will either be no dimple, one dimple, or two dimples (oldest to newest).

While my new CORE was test-fired in September, the barrel has only one dimple. Smith is apparently using the newer two dimple barrels but also peddling off the older one dimple barrels, so they don't waste them.

What the hell, Smith?

I'm interested to hear all of your thoughts on this. There's a lot of information on the web about it, if this is new information to you.

Also, would you suggest sending my M&P in for the upgraded barrel?

Before you do anything, bench rest the gun and see what happens.

 

[WeebleWoble]

Did you order the gun directly from S&W?. It could be old stock from wherever you bought it...whats the manufacture date.

 

[UncaGrunny]

Just drill another dimple in the bottom yourself... problem solved.

 

[N4KVE]

First of all, I have a 4 year old M&P 40c. I have written S&W twice to ask if newer 40c's have improved trigger parts that could be installed in my gun as an upgrade at my cost. They replied twice that the parts are the same, so don't bother, as there will be no improvement. Secondly, companies are always looking to "improve" existing products, either to fix a problem, or to make a part cheaper to save money. Should they decide to change the twist rate of a barrel, or change barrel vendors, they can, but that doesn't mean they have to throw out all remaining barrels from the initial run, unless there is a safety problem. As long as the original parts don't present a safety problem, they still get installed in new guns until the supply of these parts is used up. Many companies state that during the course of business, suppliers, or vendors may change, but this doesn't allow buyers of earlier guns to demand these newer parts get installed in older guns, unless there are safety problems, such as the recent XDs recall. GARY

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

My first question. Does the gun have accuracy issues from the bench?

 

[jmhgv2]

Should have checked in earlier before this thread got derailed.

Yes, I have shot it. Accuracy is not great at around 25 yards (fliers). Also, it doesn't have the upgraded reset -- of course, you don't need to shoot the gun to realize that.

 

[jmhgv2]

First of all, I have a 4 year old M&P 40c. I have written S&W twice to ask if newer 40c's have improved trigger parts that could be installed in my gun as an upgrade at my cost. They replied twice that the parts are the same, so don't bother, as there will be no improvement. Secondly, companies are always looking to "improve" existing products, either to fix a problem, or to make a part cheaper to save money. Should they decide to change the twist rate of a barrel, or change barrel vendors, they can, but that doesn't mean they have to throw out all remaining barrels from the initial run, unless there is a safety problem. As long as the original parts don't present a safety problem, they still get installed in new guns until the supply of these parts is used up. Many companies state that during the course of business, suppliers, or vendors may change, but this doesn't allow buyers of earlier guns to demand these newer parts get installed in older guns, unless there are safety problems, such as the recent XDs recall. GARY

Well this is a problem. When it's a minor modification that just makes something better, then fine. But I only bought the m&p because I was under the impression that they fixed an issue everyone was pissed about.

 

[8six3]

I am new to the M&P world but I can't seem to understand why everyone gets worked up over the number of dimples on their barrel. I researched a little bit before buying my M&P 9 CORE. In my research I found that the number of dimples (1 or 2) is the way they mark the barrel for what machine the barrel was produced in. This info was posted by someone that was allegedly invovled in barrel manufacturing at some point. As others have said, shoot first before jumping to the conclusion that you have bad barrel.

Don't mean to offend anyone, just offering my 2¢.

 

[jmhgv2]

I am new to the M&P world but I can't seem to understand why everyone gets worked up over the number of dimples on their barrel. I researched a little bit before buying my M&P 9 CORE. In my research I found that the number of dimples (1 or 2) is the way they mark the barrel for what machine the barrel was produced in. This info was posted by someone that was allegedly invovled in barrel manufacturing at some point. As others have said, shoot first before jumping to the conclusion that you have bad barrel.

Don't mean to offend anyone, just offering my 2¢.

The dimples themselves do not affect accuracy. They are simply a way of marking the barrels to determine which ones are the updated design.

 

[jmhgv2]

I'm going to go out again and blow through a bunch of different types of ammo to be certain.