M&P 45 Midsize, slide not as far forward as it should be.

[CaffCyc]

I posted this on MP-Forum, and the gun functions fine, but I am still pretty sure that its not correct.

The whole slide is back about .020" when its installed on the frame. The guide rod sticks out about .020" too far and the back of the slide overhangs the frame.

Process of elimination leads me to the area where take down lever and barrel meet. I swapped the take down lever from my 40c, doesn't change, so it leads me to think the barrel is machined wrong.

Anyone ever run into this?

 

[Bkreutz]

Send the pics to S&W and see what their response is. You're going to get 100 different opinions on internet forums.

 

[CaffCyc]

Sent, but I would still like to here from members here.

 

[ReluctantHero]

didn't you notice this when you bought the gun?

 

[CaffCyc]

No. I mean its .020" it took me a while to notice it, and the gun functions fine, has over 200 rounds though it.

 

[Rastoff]

I gotta say, .02" is not much. If the gun is working fine and you're hitting the intended target, what exactly is your concern?

 

[ReluctantHero]

dumb question, is the set screw tightened all the way down on your guide rod?

i have a 45c, which has the same slide as yours. my guide rod measures 77.12mm or
3 3/64".

 

[CaffCyc]

dumb question, is the set screw tightened all the way down on your guide rod?

i have a 45c, which has the same slide as yours. my guide rod measures 77.12mm or
3 3/64".

The guide rod screw is tight, I will measure the length today. Thanks.

 

[CaffCyc]

I gotta say, .02" is not much. If the gun is working fine and you're hitting the intended target, what exactly is your concern?

I don't have a concern with the functionality of the gun. I just want it to be right.

 

[Autococker07]

Make sure the recoil spring is sitting IN the little smiley on the barrel..... if it is on top of that shelf, this can happen (usually, it should pop down into its smiley cutout after the first cycle though). You can use a permanent marker to darken these areas and see if it is slipping off its notch.... thats the only thing I can think of that would cause guide rod protrusion, and a slight OOB. Also, does the barrel hook lock up tight on the slide cutout when its like this? Compare the lockup to how the bbl fits without spring pressure..... the "natural fit" should be the same as the pressurized fit. Of course, call S&W at last resort and speak to their smiths.... they are great folks that excel in solving problems at the lowest level (usually us users LOL). Good luck!!!

 

[CaffCyc]

The guide rod is in the correct place, even when assembled on the frame. It's the barrel and slide that are not going forward far enough. The barrel/slide are completely into battery, the whole assembly is just not forward as far as it should be.

This holds true with or without the guide rod installed, and with both take down levers (the one that came with the 45 and the one from my 40).

I have an email sent out to S&W, as this is more of a cosmetic fit issue (for the time being) I will let them reply when they have time instead of tie up their phone resources.

Make sure the recoil spring is sitting IN the little smiley on the barrel..... if it is on top of that shelf, this can happen (usually, it should pop down into its smiley cutout after the first cycle though). You can use a permanent marker to darken these areas and see if it is slipping off its notch.... thats the only thing I can think of that would cause guide rod protrusion, and a slight OOB. Also, does the barrel hook lock up tight on the slide cutout when its like this? Compare the lockup to how the bbl fits without spring pressure..... the "natural fit" should be the same as the pressurized fit. Of course, call S&W at last resort and speak to their smiths.... they are great folks that excel in solving problems at the lowest level (usually us users LOL). Good luck!!!

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I have a 9 Compact and a 45 Compact. The 9c has the guide rod sticking out past the slide about a 32 of an inch. My 45 Compact looks just like yours...the guide rod sticks out past the frame almost 1/8 of an inch. I have about 1000 rounds through it with no problem.

If you look at the Sear block there is a pin sticking out from the right side....I thought that was abnormal and wrote S&W about it. They said it's normal and I have seen photos of other 45c's showing the protruding pin just like mine.

Sometime I guess it is better to just shoot the thing and not worry about what looks a bit out of place. On the other hand it pays to be on the safe side and ask questions. Personally I think your gun is OK....wait and see if S&W verifies.

 

[CaffCyc]

I believe the gun is "OK" or I wouldn't have shot it. I do not think it is 100% though.

Guide rod measures 77.14mm (3.037")

 

[ReluctantHero]

i think you have a slightly longer guide rod. your pics with the slide, barrel and frame fit looks like mine. good luck

 

[CaffCyc]

The whole slide is back, you can see the difference in the pics that another member posted here: Can someone snap a few pictures of their M&P45

 

[Rastoff]

OK, I looked at the pics on the other thread. I don't see the differences you do. In fact, they look quite similar to me. Without having the gun in my hand at the Metrology lab, I can't say that you have an issue.

How did you determine that the rod is sticking out .02" too much? Where did you get that spec?

I also see that your guide rod is the same as ReluctantHero's except that his is .003" shorter. That is well within any reasonable expectation of length for a part like that. Shoot, the measurement differences could just be in the way you made the measurement.

You said the back of the slide overhangs the frame. Could you show us pictures of that?

Even so, I believe you're making too much of this. I want your gun to be right as well, but the M&P is not a precision instrument. I would take pictures and measurements of my .45, but mine is a 4 1/2" gun so everything would be different.

 

[George9]

ReluctantHero gave you some great info with pictures and even how long his giderod and spring is.. Get a cal and see what yours is.. To me your barrel and slide look good in the first picture.. You may not have a issue but hard to tell 100% with pictures.. George

 

[CaffCyc]

ReluctantHero gave you some great info with pictures and even how long his giderod and spring is.. Get a cal and see what yours is.. To me your barrel and slide look good in the first picture.. You may not have a issue but hard to tell 100% with pictures.. George

Mine is 3.037"

 

[George9]

There you go yours is a bit longer!! I don't think that means anything but at least you have something to go by. Thank you! ReluctantHero for the info you posted for the OP!

 

[CaffCyc]

This has nothing to do with the length of the guide rod. The guide rod is correct. Here are some pictures. With the slide off the frame, the guide rod sticks out .035" With the slide on the frame it sticks out .066". A difference of .031". Factoring in that it has to be off by something (my 40c moves .008"), I'd say its .020" off. Last picture is of the rear of the gun, the slide is behind the frame by exactly .020"