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
M&P 40 Blew up!
- Thread starter jcs152112
- Start date
- Status
Register to hide this ad
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.
I really hope this turns out well for you. Please don't give up yet.
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.
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
Member
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.
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.
alleycat7002
Member
Reloads may do this also
palmettostate1
Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2013
- Messages
- 74
- Reaction score
- 50
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??
What did you want them to do for you? Why are you out $750??
Bkreutz
US Veteran
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
Member
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
US Veteran
They offered to replace it for $531... not free.
He said they offered to SELL him a replacement for $500+.
Rastoff
US Veteran
There is something missing from your story.
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.
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.
Last edited:
Rastoff
US Veteran
Yes, but where did the $750 number come from? Did he originally pay only $219 for the gun?
palmettostate1
Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2013
- Messages
- 74
- Reaction score
- 50
I did misread. I thought they offered $531.00
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.
scooter123
Member
Due to the very serious risk of severe injury or death modern semi automatics have so much reserve strength in the parts that limit the stroke of the slide that it would probably take at least a DOUBLE CHARGE in the ammunition for this particular failure mode to occur. With this is mind and because the OP stated the slide blew off the frame I can only conclude that the cause for this mishap was DEFECTIVE AMMUNITION. No "ifs", "buts", or "maybes" about it jcs152112 had the misfortune to experience what happens when ammunition that is severely overcharge is used and he should quit complaining about poor customer service at S&W and contact whoever made the ammunition he was shooting.
I don't have personal experience with this type of thing but I have heard others experiences with bad ammunition and it is not uncommon for the AMMUNITION manufacturer to work with the firearm manufacturer and compensate you. AKA, ammo dudes buy you a new gun after verifying with the gun manufacturer that their ammunition was indeed to blame.
I would get back on the phone.
I would get back on the phone.
Out of curiosity, were either your grandson or his young friend also shooting a 9mm pistol that day?
The reason I ask is that I've seen at least my fair share of people mistakenly load 9mm in .40 mags, and .40 in .45 mags, and then chamber the wrong smaller caliber rounds in the larger caliber pistol. Not hard to hear of shooters ending up experiencing an obstructed bore if a smaller, incorrect cartridge (or empty case) gets inside the chamber/bore, and a subsequent "over pressure event" occurs when another cartridge is chambered/fired.
I've recently seen the results of this sort of unintentional shooter-induced problem, as a matter of fact, when someone didn't realize they'd loaded a .40 in a .45 mag. Yes, there was significant damage to the pistol (but no shooter injury, thankfully).
The reason I ask is that I've seen at least my fair share of people mistakenly load 9mm in .40 mags, and .40 in .45 mags, and then chamber the wrong smaller caliber rounds in the larger caliber pistol. Not hard to hear of shooters ending up experiencing an obstructed bore if a smaller, incorrect cartridge (or empty case) gets inside the chamber/bore, and a subsequent "over pressure event" occurs when another cartridge is chambered/fired.
I've recently seen the results of this sort of unintentional shooter-induced problem, as a matter of fact, when someone didn't realize they'd loaded a .40 in a .45 mag. Yes, there was significant damage to the pistol (but no shooter injury, thankfully).
Last edited:
My friends have a part in a 99-year deer "lease", the right to hunt on another's undeveloped property. They have a mobile home and tractor to keep it as they want it for hunting. Yes they do complain about critters (various) eating the insulation off the wiring. I guess the part about "the lease" sounds like them talking on Monday about the problems of the weekend.
No discussion of context, just that the terms ring true to me.
I've seen the same mixup between 9mm and .380, therefore my rule that a 9 and 380 can not be on the same lane where I am involved.
I'm thinking squib load. And if that's the case S&W would be correct in their action.
You say the slide came off the gun? No offense, but without pictures, I find that really hard to believe.
I've never once ever heard of a slide coming off the frame backwards and hitting someone.
Not just one, but several things would had to have broken for that to happen.
The slide is connected to the frame with the take down lever, which is held in place by the locking block, which is held in place by a roll pin that is driven through solid steel AND polymer.
The front half of the gun would had to have exploded for that to happen, and if it did, whoever was holding that pistol would have no fingers on his hand.
I've never once ever heard of a slide coming off the frame backwards and hitting someone.
Not just one, but several things would had to have broken for that to happen.
The slide is connected to the frame with the take down lever, which is held in place by the locking block, which is held in place by a roll pin that is driven through solid steel AND polymer.
The front half of the gun would had to have exploded for that to happen, and if it did, whoever was holding that pistol would have no fingers on his hand.
I had a similar experience with a Ruger LCP and Magtech ammo we all agreed that the ammo was at fault Ruger sent me a new LCP with Crimson Trace Laser which was also damaged at no cost to me and Magtech sent me
380 ammo to also cover the cost of the LCP. Ruger claimed no fault which I totally agreed and still sent me the new LCP, Magtech agreed bad ammo and replaced the cost of the LCP with ammo. we all went away happy.
380 ammo to also cover the cost of the LCP. Ruger claimed no fault which I totally agreed and still sent me the new LCP, Magtech agreed bad ammo and replaced the cost of the LCP with ammo. we all went away happy.
Tracer_Bullet
Member
Soooo.... what was the ammo they were using?
Last post. I came here for help and get nothing but ridicule. He brought me the parts, the ammo,and the busted magazine. Yes, the pneumonia was cultured and proven. It was Winchester USA ammo. Yes, the mice and rats have done it before at the lease. For those of you who are not familiar, in Texas we have private land which we lease for hunting. Therefore there are no unwanted people around, just unwanted critters. I really don't care what any of you think and this will be the last you hear from me. I came for help and as I can read no one is interested in helping. I stated about 4 times what kind of ammo it was and what happened. If you choose not to believe me, then the fact that you call me, my grandson, and a United States marine all liars then that in itself makes the case for me to never visit again. No use in answering this as I won't be back to listen to this dribble. I hope if any of you have a problem that you are sincere about that whomever you go to for advice gives a **** about you and your situation. back to Kimber where I am welcome.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
Sold/Withdrawn
M&P40 2.0 Compact: NIB, $450 Shipped CONUS
