FTF - Firing pin not receding until 2nd rack [Resolved]

[Paul in Nevada]

I believe you have debris in the striker channel. I don't know your level of mechanical aptitude but it is fairly easy to remove the striker assembly from the firearm. I am very surprised your gun shop did not do this. The striker channel is not supposed to be lubricated during maintenance. It is supposed to be kept surgically clean. The best way to do this is to blast it out with a high pressure solvent that evaporates completely like brake cleaner (wear safety glasses). I have seen a lot of junk come out of the striker channel of new pistols using this method.

Fun fact! Walther and Canik fitted a decocking button on top of the slide on some of their models. Apparently, it was supposed to get around the nervousness people feel about pulling the trigger to disassemble a striker fired gun.

The M&P series pistols have a similar feature. It's the little yellow lever visible through the ejection port with the slide locked back. This is a sear release that allows the slide to come off without pulling the trigger. Glocks don't have a sear release, Sigs don't need them. It's a point of contention but this is one of the reasons Sig won the XM17 pistol contract.

 

[Saudade]

Take your slide off. You can pull the trigger if you don't have a mag safety or use the lever.

Now take out the RSA and barrel.

Place the slide on a table or other surface, bottom up (sights on table). Do you see the striker protruding from the breech? (Correct answer is No)

Now depress the striker block using pick, a pen or other object, then push the striker forward. Do you see the striker protruding from the breech? (Correct answer is Yes). Now while still depressing the striker block, release the striker. Do you see the striker tip? (Correct answer is No).

If your answer differs, there's something wrong. As others suggest, could be just some debris, or fouling in the channel. Remember, NO LUBE in the striker channel.

Below is a typical M&P striker. I've removed the retaining collar/keeper to allow the springs to full extend and reveal the striker return spring (just above red line). You may need to click on the image to get the full size.




Normally you don't see the spring with the striker assembled since the main striker spring is much stronger and fully collapses the return spring.

 

[Lagoon5894]

Thanks once again, Saudade. The info and examples are appreciated.

I can't do any further testing unfortunately. My Shield is somewhere between here and Springfield Massachusetts. Out of curiosity, I'll probably take the striker assembly out and test its function when the pistol is returned.
I won't ever do anything that voids warranties, obviously

I'm not certain of my mechanical aptitude either, but I enjoy tinkering and am happy to pull things apart if I'm confident I can put them back together safely.

 

[Gman556]

Take your slide off. You can pull the trigger if you don't have a mag safety or use the lever.

Now take out the RSA and barrel.

Place the slide on a table or other surface, bottom up (sights on table). Do you see the striker protruding from the breech? (Correct answer is No)

Now depress the striker block using pick, a pen or other object, then push the striker forward. Do you see the striker protruding from the breech? (Correct answer is Yes). Now while still depressing the striker block, release the striker. Do you see the striker tip? (Correct answer is No).

If your answer differs, there's something wrong. As others suggest, could be just some debris, or fouling in the channel. Remember, NO LUBE in the striker channel.

Below is a typical M&P striker. I've removed the retaining collar/keeper to allow the springs to full extend and reveal the striker return spring (just above red line). You may need to click on the image to get the full size.

View attachment 625132


Normally you don't see the spring with the striker assembled since the main striker spring is much stronger and fully collapses the return spring.

View attachment 625133

Most accurate and factual answer here so far.

 

[Saudade]

Thanks once again, Saudade. The info and examples are appreciated.

I can't do any further testing unfortunately. My Shield is somewhere between here and Springfield Massachusetts. Out of curiosity, I'll probably take the striker assembly out and test its function when the pistol is returned.
I won't ever do anything that voids warranties, obviously

I'm not certain of my mechanical aptitude either, but I enjoy tinkering and am happy to pull things apart if I'm confident I can put them back together safely.

No worries. I figured it was in transit by now. Posted for general knowledge.

 

[Lagoon5894]

Home Again

I got the Shield back and the pin remains seated through dry fire as intended It will be some time before I can do any live testing. Unfortunately the information from S&W was subpar in my opinion.

Comments:
New firearm will not fire

Service:
Evaluate / Repair
Replaced plunger tube

That isn't quite what I was hoping when asking for a description of what was wrong. The description of the former issue isn't even accurate. That's all I have though. I expect it will happily do its job after we've done some range drills.

Thank you for the information that's been given freely,
Lagoon

 

[Saudade]

"plunger tube"? I wonder if they meant the striker spring guide (aka channel liner)?

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 / 40 Striker Spring Guide: MGW

I can see how that could also cause the problem.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

"plunger tube"? I wonder if they meant the striker spring guide (aka channel liner)?

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 / 40 Striker Spring Guide: MGW

I can see how that could also cause the problem.

That's a new one for me as well: can that term possibly appear on an exploded parts diagram?

Cheers!

 

[Lagoon5894]

It would have been nice to hear. This is the relevant information I was able to retrieve in its entirety

Lagoon

 

[Saudade]

The M&P 2.0 (fullsize) breakdown on MGW shows it. (#14)

Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Parts

However, they don't show the parts diagram for other M&P models including the 1.0s.

I have a few spares for my 1.0s (Fullsize and Compact).

 

[Saudade]

It would have been nice to hear. This is the relevant information I was able to retrieve in its entirety

Lagoon

I agree. I would be nice to know the details and part numbers. However, as long as it's fixed!!

I love a happy ending <sniff>

 

[Lagoon5894]

I agree. I would be nice to know the details and part numbers. However, as long as it's fixed!!

I love a happy ending <sniff>

Oh, don't we all

Lagoon