M&P 22 pin worked loose!

[garyjandfamily]

I have an M&P 22 that I've put a fair number of rounds (2000-ish) through. I've kept it clean, but have not yet detail stripped it, or disassembled it beyond what the manual shows for cleaning.
Last night I was at the range shooting some indoor practical pistol, and when the range master said "Prepare", the gun wouldn't come out of the holster! I worked it out of the holster and shot the stage, and then noticed that the pin just forward of the takedown lever had worked its way out and was digging into the holster. It was sticking out about 1/16 inch! I beat it back into place with the handle of a screwdriver and shot the rest of the stages, but is there something that I need to do to secure this pin?

 

[Lost Lake]

Yup, common problem.

S&W will send you a new pin if you want, but most guys pull them out, clean them in alcohol or something that doesn't leave a residue and then reinsert or put a little blue loctite on and reinsert....

 

[garyjandfamily]

That's the info that I was looking for. So a Turkey Day project - a little pistol surgery, and an excuse to go and test out the fix!

Thanks for your help!

 

[walkin' trails]

I had that happen on a 45. I exercised the warranty and let them fix it. Stayed put after that.

 

[jsalas2]

jsalas

Same thing happened to me, I was worried too. Every range trip I was having to bang the pin back in. The other members put me at ease and told me to put the blue loctite on the pin. No problems since.

 

[davidbarwin]

I'm having the same issues here with both pins starting to work their way out after firing several rounds. I'm a gun novice but technically proficient..... what tool would I buy/use (a specific punch?) to remove these pins for cleaning before reinserting with blue loctite? Is there a small kit of tools I should have on hand for future field fixes? Kind Regards -db

 

[Jyezahn]

Roll pin kit, available at most hardware stores. Just make sure they are long enough to go through the width of the gun.

 

[Eyelawdoc]

If you want to buy a roll pin punch kit, here's one that's relatively inexpensive ($19):

BROWNELLS ROLL PIN PUNCHES | Brownells

 

[davidbarwin]

Thanks for the help guys. I picked up a roll pin punch set from Amazon.com (GRIP 9 Pc) and $14.62 later with the 3/32" punch I'm back in business. I truly appreciate your help!

 

[MichiganScott]

Roll pin kit, available at most hardware stores. Just make sure they are long enough to go through the width of the gun.

Roll pins are cheap enough that I wouldn't even bother Smith. Besides, they may just want you to send it in instead of simply mailing you a replacement.

I keep reading about using blue LockTite to hold them in place, but I consider it a poor option. The reason the pin backs out is either because it was damaged when being placed in the gun, or it was out of spec to begin with. Roll pins are designed to be held in place by spring action, not glue.

 

[gun1]

This is a good thread. I've had the same problem with my gun. Mine works loose after around 400-600 rounds. I pound back in and it is good for a while.