M&P 40 Blew up!

[jcs152112]

Will try to make a long story short. I purchased a M&P 40, the first polymer frame pistol I ever owned. I have 6 Smith Revolvers, some are 30 years old and function perfectly. This M&P was a lemon! It jammed from day one, never functioned properly. was told to clean and oil it good as it could have dried out on display at the store. Had my gunsmith go through it, clean and oil it and for about 2 magazines it worked. This is with FACTORY ammo! Finally when my grandson was firing it, the damn thing blew up in his face, the slide flew back and hit a friend of his in the forehead cutting him, and parts went everywhere. He picked everything up, brought it home and accused me of trying to kill him! I sent the gun to Smith & Wesson, and after about 7 weeks I called and spoke to a customer rep. I am supposedly receiving a letter, but haven't as of yet. He said the frame was cracked, but the metallurgy lab determined it was not the pistols fault, but the ammo or a possible misfire jam.(??) They would replace it for $531!! After I got through cursing, I asked him to return my pistol but since it was damaged they could not. I told him I would take that $531 and put a down payment on another Kimber, but I would not have nearly $1300 in a piece of **** Smith. But, apparently I am out $750 and have no pistol. Last one for me and as far as I'm concerned, piss poor service. Happy Holiday

 

[Old cop]

It sounds to me like you need to take this up the ladder a bit. It may be a PIA but contacting someone in management should be next. An obvious question is do you know what kind of ammo was used the day the weapon blew up? If it was factory, in spec, you need to see this through and either get a refund or a replacement M&P.

I really hope this turns out well for you. Please don't give up yet.

 

[jcs152112]

No troll, just very disappointed in the customer service. Like I said, have been a Smith customer since the 70's. Have 2 stainless pistols and 6 revolvers so troll no, disgusted customer, yes and yes, I have the rest of the box of ammo, and I sent them the ammo that was in the gun, but seems like they did not test the ammo. And being called a troll is uncalled for, I just wondered if anyone had any problems like mine. Seems like they have.

 

[McE]

Your (understandable) anger needs to be accompanied with more action. Slide coming clean off like that, okay metallurgy was fine, but how is that the whole story on a gun with a lot of plastic? How about polymer-gy? I thought modern guns specifically had design features to stop slides from coming off like that during such failures.

 

[rjm6120]

No troll, just very disappointed in the customer service. Like I said, have been a Smith customer since the 70's. Have 2 stainless pistols and 6 revolvers so troll no, disgusted customer, yes and yes, I have the rest of the box of ammo, and I sent them the ammo that was in the gun, but seems like they did not test the ammo. And being called a troll is uncalled for, I just wondered if anyone had any problems like mine. Seems like they have.

I was a bit hasty and knee-jerky in my response (thinking you were a troll), and upon a few minutes reflection decided to delete my post because it was just un-cool. Sorry you saw it before I deleted it. The board has seen, lately, several folks joining the forum to tell everyone how much of a garbage gun they got from S&W, then they're done. We have a good board and a plethora of great people willing to help and a lot of us rise to defend the board when this happens. I wrongly assumed (you know what assuming does) this was another case of that, and for that I apologize.
Welcome to the forum, it sucks what happened to your gun, but don't throw in the towel yet. I don't think you've talked to the right person at CS yet. Keep trying I'm sure you will be taken care of.

 

[RobzGuns]

I have the rest of the box of ammo, and I sent them the ammo that was in the gun, but seems like they did not test the ammo.

As mentioned, push this up the chain a bit... and specifically inquire if they tested the ammo. If they didn't, ask Why Not and if they weren't going to test it, if they'd send a sample to the ammo company.

Also contact the ammo company (although you apparently sent ALL the ammo to S&W?)
What Brand ammo was it?

This happened with a Shield40 that was using factory MagTech brand ammo early this Year. It was determined that the MagTech ammo was at fault and MagTech cut the guy a check to cover replacement.

 

[John R]

Try The ammo manufacture, maybe they'll help.
S&W cannot keep your gun, make a call to them again and demand they return your property.

 

[McE]

Hope you have lots of pics of the damage, on the gun, kid's face, etc.

 

[alleycat7002]

Reloads may do this also

 

[Bob O]

No kidding, pics go a long way in showing us the extent of damage. Not only to show us, but as evidence in whatever claim you're going to make.

 

[palmettostate1]

Hey bud maybe I misread something. Your gun blew up, S&W offered to replace it (they have no control over the ammo used) and you are angry?

What did you want them to do for you? Why are you out $750??

 

[Bkreutz]

How old is your grandson (and his buddy)? If my son came to me and told me that the first thing I would ask would be "Did that happen after you jammed the muzzle into the mud screwing around with it." Not saying that's what happened, but if I didn't see it myself, I'd be suspicious. I'm a questioning type. Not trying to accuse your grandson, it's just that I was a Boy Scout leader for 20 years and ........I've seen just about everything that a young man can think up.

 

[wingriderz]

Wow. Hope all turns out and you get the problem resolved or a refund. If not you may want to seek legal action as last resort. Please keep us advised

 

[cyphertext]

Hey bud maybe I misread something. Your gun blew up, S&W offered to replace it (they have no control over the ammo used) and you are angry?

What did you want them to do for you? Why are you out $750??

They offered to replace it for $531... not free.

 

[Mark40]

Hey bud maybe I misread something. Your gun blew up, S&W offered to replace it (they have no control over the ammo used) and you are angry?

What did you want them to do for you? Why are you out $750??

He said they offered to SELL him a replacement for $500+.

 

[Rastoff]

There is something missing from your story.

<snip>Finally when my grandson was firing it, the damn thing blew up in his face, the slide flew back and hit a friend of his in the forehead cutting him, and parts went everywhere. He picked everything up, brought it home and accused me of trying to kill him!<snip>

I have seen a lot of guns destroyed by the ammo. I've never seen a slide fly off and strike someone who was not the shooter. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I've just never seen it before.

Which specific model was the gun?
Were you present or were the two by themselves?
Are you sure they were using factory ammo?
Can you post pics of the gun?

I'm sorry to hear of this tragedy. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Rastoff]

They offered to replace it for $531... not free.

Yes, but where did the $750 number come from? Did he originally pay only $219 for the gun?

 

[tim c]

I would definitely run it up the latter so high it hurts. Either they stand by there product or they don't.Darn plastic gunsand may i ask where they charge $750 for an M&P?

 

[palmettostate1]

They offered to replace it for $531... not free.

I did misread. I thought they offered $531.00

 

[jcs152112]

I bought it in Lubbock, TX for $749.95. They offered to sell me a replacement for $531. I do have the rest of the box of ammo they used. My grandson is 20 and his friend is a Marine who was home on leave. They do know what they are doing. I was not with them when it happened, but have no reason to doubt him since he lives with me and has been hunting since he was 6 years old. He owns 7 guns himself. Like I said, I was not there, I have no pictures, they have the gun and the ammo and I have nothing. I called the company I bought it from and they are going to try to help me. At that time, the $749.95 was retail on the gun. I have accepted the fact that it was my fault so I guess you move on. No more plastic for me. I sold a gun on gunbroker and shipped it through the post office, they broke the stock and I had no extra insurance. Out $250 to replace the stock. My John Deere gator I left at the lease for 3 weeks and the mice ate a group of wires on it along with shorting out the fuel pump...total repairs from JohnDeere $1235. Now this, hasn't been my best summer. Also spent a week in the hospital with bacterial pneumonia. Must be a bad dream.