Impulse Buy, M&P 9, Bad Decision?

[Al Gore]

I was at Academy yesterday looking for a Beretta 92FS and
ended up getting an M&P 9. They were out of the Berettas and the M&P was $499 with the rebate and two mags. I though, what the heck, I'll give it a try.

I did not research the M&P design very much, but knew a little
about them(adapted by many agencies, range reports etc.).
After bringing it home I decided to look into any issues with
the M&P series and I was shocked to see all the problems people(and departments) are having with them, especially the 9mm. Failure to extract, eject, broken strikers, finish issues etc.

I guess my question is, are these problems with the older
versions(mine was made in April 09, sn # dssxxxx) or do they persist with thge newer versions also?

I like the way it feels in the hand, the trigger seems pretty bad, and that stupid take down tool was hell to get out(I think
I twisted the little tab off, it practicallly falls out now )

 

[ab4ka]

As far as I'm concerned, no impulse gun buy is bad...if nothing else you can always trade it for something down the road.

From what I've read the majority of problems people had with M&P's have been long since resolved. I have a M&P40 & 40c that I've bought in the last few months and they've been flawless. The trigger on the full-size was a little gritty, but a couple of hours of dry-firing while I watched a movie one day took care of that. The trigger on the compact was great out of the box.

As for the "tool", leave it in place unless you're changing backstraps. Otherwise I can see where the little tab would wear and it wouldn't want to stay in place. If you've broken it off, I'm guessing a call to S&W would get you a new one. Both of mine are hard to get out (and that's when they are turned properly), and I want to keep it that way.

 

[C4IGrant]

I was at Academy yesterday looking for a Beretta 92FS and
ended up getting an M&P 9. They were out of the Berettas and the M&P was $499 with the rebate and two mags. I though, what the heck, I'll give it a try.

I did not research the M&P design very much, but knew a little
about them(adapted by many agencies, range reports etc.).
After bringing it home I decided to look into any issues with
the M&P series and I was shocked to see all the problems people(and departments) are having with them, especially the 9mm. Failure to extract, eject, broken strikers, finish issues etc.

I guess my question is, are these problems with the older
versions(mine was made in April 09, sn # dssxxxx) or do they persist with thge newer versions also?

I like the way it feels in the hand, the trigger seems pretty bad, and that stupid take down tool was hell to get out(I think
I twisted the little tab off, it practicallly falls out now )

You actually made a very good choice. The M&P is one of the finest combat pistols made.

The early M&P's had problems in certain areas (as do all pistol's).

The biggest issue with them has been broken strikers. That was fixed with the latest generation of strikers (as they have over 70,000 dry fires without breakage).


C4

 

[2001gmc]

Good Choice

I don't think you should be disappointed as I picked one up yesterday. I did a lot of reading before I made my purchase. I did some shooting today and posted results here in the forum. I'm very happy with mine and glad I made the purchase.

 

[GaryM&P]

With a DSS gun I would replace the black striker with the new design silver striker. Then you should be good to go.

 

[Al Gore]

Thanks for the replies. Went out today to blast around 100 rounds of Winchester 9mm NATO through it. Reliability was 100%(except for that stupid tool falling out ) and practical accuracy seemed good too. The trigger is actually very light in my opinion and the takeup seems to be less than a Glock. I had a hard time with the beavertail though, as it seems want to go where the second joint of my thumb is. I tried a thumbs up grip and it seems to help a little. I guess I'll call S&W to see if they can send me another one of those ridiculous "tools".

Jury is still out on this one....but I kinda like it.

 

[Knightrider03m]

Can't really go wrong with a Smith!

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've got 3 M&P's and they have all been problem free. Actually sold a Beretta 92FC to buy one of them. The Beretta just never fit my hand right.
Anyway, as for the "tool" I never use mine to disassemble. I either use a my finger nail or a small twig etc. Leave the tool in and it will never be a problem.
The trigger does come pretty gritty but gets much better with use. If impatient, there are drop in parts to give you what you want in a trigger.

 

[rpg0123]

I've been considering buying an M&P. What is this "tool" we're talking about?

 

[ab4ka]

I've been considering buying an M&P. What is this "tool" we're talking about?

the pin that holds the backstrap piece in place. I believe the manual says this can be used to push down the sear deactivation lever. I just leave mine in place and use my finger...it looks like the little tab that locks it in place could break off if you tried hard enough.

 

[kmyers]

The trigger is easy to get used to.

Any firearm buy is a good one. I have the M&P .40 and it is one of my favorite pistols.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Yea, 6 months ago I bought my M&P45 FS on a pure impulse after a lifetime of devout plastic gun hating. Was so disappointed, I've impulsively bought two more M&Ps since.

p.s. The triggers get better with use but are VERY fixable if your in a hurry.

 

[imjin138]

I just shot mine today for the first time and loved it, Milwaukee just north of me carries them in 40 now I think I like mine should have bought one earlier.

 

[armyscout92]

I bought a M&P .45 on impulse, and stopped carring my XD because of it! Very nice weapon, and yes leave the tool alone.

 

[Half Fast Rusty]

I've had my M&P 9 for a couple of years now and have absolutely no problem at all. I've shot all kinds of ammo through it and again no problem. I've added a Crimson Trace laser grip to and it is my primary carry gun. I think you made a good choice. Get the "tool" fixed and I'm sure you will be absolutely happy with it.

 

[Peter_S]

I've also had my M&P 9mm for a couple of years and have never had a problem. I've shot all kinds of factory and reloaded ammo with not a single jam or fail to feed etc.

 

[Hotcoley]

Don't even go there with me! I'm glad everyone else has had success. I have had mine for a couple years and I have had nothing but ejection problems with it(casings flying off to left, right, and in my face) I'm now sending it back to S&W for 2nd time to try and fix problem. Maybe I just got a bad one? Serial # MPF9xxx, anyone know if it was an early one that had problems? And no it's not something I'm doing. I just purchased a Ruger LCP and have had no probs with it. Casings fly off to the right like they are suppose to!

 

[shawn mccarver]

Thanks for the replies. Went out today to blast around 100 rounds of Winchester 9mm NATO through it. Reliability was 100%(except for that stupid tool falling out ) and practical accuracy seemed good too. The trigger is actually very light in my opinion and the takeup seems to be less than a Glock. I had a hard time with the beavertail though, as it seems want to go where the second joint of my thumb is. I tried a thumbs up grip and it seems to help a little. I guess I'll call S&W to see if they can send me another one of those ridiculous "tools".

Jury is still out on this one....but I kinda like it.

Ask the factory to send you the "tool" with the lanyard loop.

 

[Kazo]

......a note on the tool and the sear deactivation pin: I find the tool difficult enough to extract out of the handle. I make doubly sure I'm unloaded and as you're sliding the rail forward and it comes to a stop, just squeeze the trigger and complete the removal.....

 

[Krull]

Just picked up a full size .45,I must say I'm impressed at what S&W has turned out accurate,good weight,kinda fixes what I found lacking in the Glock pistols.

I may get a 9MM compact too