Frustrated with Smith's Quality Control

[wingnuut]

I have a M&P 40 I bot a 9mm barrel from S&W no dimples and is more accurate than my 40

 

[Ed911]

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?

1. First, Smith and Wesson doesn't identify its barrels by dimple. The dimples are used to trouble shoot production issues and backtrack to a certain production machine. This from Smith and Wesson customer service, today. I called and checked.

2. The Original barrels use a 1.18.75 twist rate, which many have said or read are bullet weight sensitive.

3. The newer barrels are now using a 1:10 twist rate similar to what Glock and CZ use. This new twist rate is said to show no preference to bullet weight. And, is viewed by many as a welcome update.

4. According to S&W customer service, the new barrels have been implemented in all M&P handguns, starting in February 2013.

5. Smith and Wesson do not refer, internally, to their barrels by any generational indicators. In other words, there are no first and second and third generation barrels. There are only engineering changes to the first barrel, as per the customer service rep at S&W.

6. There appears to have been an engineering change to the transition geometry between the feed ramp and the chamber somewhere before the new twist rate was implemented. This is from an outside source, and not S&W.

7. The 1 dimple barrel is the same as the 2 dimple barrel and maybe the no-dimple barrel. The acid test is whether or not it is a 1:10 twist barrel. If so, then you have the newest barrel with all the latest modifications and changes. So, no worry.

A quick phone call to the manufacturer will solve a great many issues. And, it's sure better than reading anecdotal / hearsay comments from less than informed posters, and then trotting that out as fact.

Should you have your barrel replaced...that is up to you. If it's one of the old barrels and it bothers you, go for it. However, since your gun was manufactured / test fired in September of 2013, I would call S&W and find out if it has the new barrel, which I suspect that it does. And, if so...just go shooting and be happy. S&W is not to blame, just because you didn't use the appropriate references when researching your product.

Hope this helps.

 

[8six3]

Thanks Ed911. I am glad to see my research was not a waste of time. Even though the dimple issue has been posted else where, seems many people are still hung up on the dimple issue.

 

[Justin69]

Anyone have a pic of these mysterious dimples??

 

[WeebleWoble]

Ill ask again, when was the gun manufactured, and for accuracy are you trying to judge this free standing or? Its alot easyer to just say a gun is inaccurate then to say you are inaccurate with said gun..., i cant shoot compacts for ****, i assume because of the way they fit in my hand...doesnt mean the gun sucks just means im not good with that gun.

 

[Ed911]

From what the poster says about the test firing, the gun was manufactured some time in September of 2013. So it would seem, anyways.

 

[butch1942]

I have a new M&P Core 9mm,purchased late Nov,13. I've only had a chance to shoot it at 15yards at our indoor range about 250 rds, accuracy does not seem to bad. I know it will not except reloaded brass fired in a Glock because of case bulge,the slide won't go all the way forward. My Springfield MSD in 40cal is the same way.