M&P 10mm 4" still having FTF issues

[2000Z-71]

Well my 400 trouble free rounds was very short lived. My gun is back to having FTF issues. Tried it with the Apex extractor tonight. First 50rounds, flawless. Round 65, the last one in the magazine was an FTF, bullet nose jammed up against the top of the chamber, tap on the back of the slide and it went into battery and I was able to fire it. Then round 100, the last round in the magazine FTF with the round straight up and down vertical in the ejection port. I will say this, the Apex extractor flings out the empty shell cases with authority.

At this point I'm at a loss for what to do with it. Really had to fight the urge to throw it out the window as I was driving across the bridge over the Matanuska River on the way home tonight. The only other thing I can think of is to try a new magazine. I just hate the idea of throwing more money and effort into polishing this ****. I haven't tried the sandpaper trick to the magazine lips yet, but then it's like do I really want to spend another $30 on a box of ammo with a hope and a prayer?

So far, 2 trips back to Smith & Wesson 1st trip barrel replaced, 2nd trip nothing done, "You firearm was judged to be in functioning order."

Magazine springs changed to Wolff extra power .45 M&P mag springs.

Feed ramp and chamber polished.

Galloway Precision 24lb recoil spring assembly installed.

Springer Precision magazine springs installed.

Apex tool streel extractor installed.

 

[kaaskop49]

If it's that frustrating, time to sell.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Hawg Rider]

Sorry to hear about your issues with your 4" M&P 10mm. You obviously like the pistol and have put a lot of time and money into trying to correct the F2F problem without much success. Very frustrating! I guess that I'm one of the fortunate ones...I've never had any issues with my 4.6" M&P 10mm (knock on wood!). With that said, Kaaskop49 may have given you some sage advice...sell it! You obviously cannot completely depend on that pistol, and it's causing you lots of concern. Since you like 10mm, trade the S&W in for a SIG P320Xten, Glock 20, or Springfield XD(M) Elite. All of those have proven performance records, and are reasonably priced. I am a dedicated S&W guy...but I wouldn't continue to waste my time & money trying to fix an obvious design/manufacturing issue. Tough decision. Good luck!

 

[2000Z-71]

Since you like 10mm, trade the S&W in for a SIG P320Xten, Glock 20, or Springfield XD(M) Elite.

I have a Sig 320 X Ten and it has been flawless. It just feels so much bigger and heavier than the Smith. I also have a Dan Wesson Razorback 1911 in 10mm as well as a 3" Ruger GP100. The Smith is just unique in its size and weight for the 10mm that I really want it to work.

 

[2000Z-71]

OK, this has gotten down to desperation and the attitude of, "It's not stupid if it works."

I've got one of first versions of an M&P Pro Series in .40S&W. I've never had a single a single malfunction with. Started comparing magazines between the two again. It looks like for the 10mm magazines, Smith squeezed the top in of the .45 magazines rather than make the .40 magazines deeper. The geometry at the top of the mags are totally different. The feed lips on the 10mm magazines are about half the length on the .40. I don't get it, longer cartridge, shorter feed lips.

Started experimenting with them. With a single round loaded in the 10mm magazine, I can lift up under the nose of the bullet and turn the round completely vertical in the magazine. I cannot do that with a round in the .40 magazine. Also started looking at the followers, they have a different geometry as well. Obviously the 10mm is longer front to back. But the .40 has a slightly wider shelf on the left side of the follower at the top. Basically it shoves the last round on top of the follower further to the right of the magazine.

Thought what the hell, try a .40 follower in a 10mm magazine. It seems to work hand loading and unloading with the .40 follower I can no longer turn the round vertical in the magazine by lifting up underneath the nose of the bullet. Since most of my issues have been with the second to last round or last round in the magazine, who knows, this might actually work.

 

[Hawg Rider]

That might just be one of those "Eureka" moments! Good luck.

 

[rwsmith]

I have heard complaints....

... that a lot of 10 mm ammo is not as powerful as it should be. I would think that weak rounds could lead to short cycling. I wonder if a somewhat lighter spring would fix it if that was the case.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Took my 4.6" M&P 10mm to the range again yesterday, and put a quick 50 rounds of Federal Syntech range ammo downrange. It performed flawlessly... again. So did all the magazines. I've shot over 600 rounds (mostly FMJ and HPs, no hard cast) through this pistol so far, and have had zero issues...I guess I got a good-un.

 

[Farmer17]

I don't tolerate reliability trouble in any of my guns, there are just too many good guns out there to waste time and frustration. It's easy to sell or trade them off and you can inform people about the problem and take a little money off your asking price and move on. I've been tickled pink with my 4" M&P 10mm I bought in Feb 2023 and it has been perfectly reliable, accurate, and excellent in every way with a trigger about as good as my Springfield 1911. I shoot nearly all Sig 180 grain ammo FMJ because it's pretty hot and reasonably priced and there's not much else in my local Academy and Cabelas.

 

[The_Truth]

What ammo are you using?

24# recoil spring seems pretty stout.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
How are you holding the gun???
If thumbs up,, go back to the thumbs down revolver style hold.
I have seen too many shooters using the thumb high hold ride the slide
with one or both, causing all sorts of problems...

 

[oworthsr]

I bought (new) a 4" M&P2.0 10mm and took delivery over a year ago - in May 2022. Bought additional mags shortly thereafter. After reading all of the negative reviews on this gun, I purchased 22lb recoil spring and upgraded mag springs.

Finally took the gun on its maiden range trip yesterday - with the 22lb recoil spring installed and stock mag springs. I was fully prepared to be disappointed/frustrated.

I was pleasantly surprised.

I had one FTF within the first 4 rounds. But thereafter - for the next 75 rounds - not even ONE FTF. This was with a combination of 180 grain Winchester FMJ and 180 grain Freedom Munitions jacketed flat nose ammo. No hollow points (yet).

Now, I don't know what would have happened had I not swapped springs. But since I'm happy with the initial range results, I don't intend to find out.

I may modify my opinion after firing hollow points or other ammo types. But for now, I'm a happy camper and can include the 4" M&P 10mm among my "carry" weapons.

 

[DesertFox]

4th and long. Punt.