Just bought a new M&P 9mm CORE 2 weeks ago. I was able to get it apart and clean it BUT I had a really tough time getting it back together. Will this improve through time or is it the nature of the beast? Any suggestions that might make reassembly a little easier? Thanks.
M&P CORE Difficulty
- Thread starter Lori Ann
- Start date
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Bkreutz
US Veteran
It does get better with use. I've had this issue with every M&P I've had. One thing I found out I wasn't doing correctly was getting the recoil spring completely into the notch on the barrel, it would move off to the side when not seated fully, I'd get the slide partway on and it would push the release lever halfway up and lock up. I could get it apart by pushing the lever down and pulling the slide back off. I don't know if it's the gun that's getting broken in or the operator (me) is getting better trained to get the spring into the proper place. I got a new CORE last week and it only did it once so I'm suspecting operator error on my part. HTH
OneJzsupra
US Veteran
What issues are you having? I don't have any issues getting it together and mine is still fairly new.
When I reassemble everything after cleaning I cannot get the slide back far enough no matter how hard I try. It seems really tight and I'm hoping that is just because it is new. I did make sure the recoil spring was in the notch properly with the blue end placed toward the muzzle. Really frustrated.
Riflemann
Member
I have only had my CORE 40 for about a month, and I have only had it apart once to clean so far. No problems here, please give it some time, you will like this gun more everytime you shoot it.
OneJzsupra
US Veteran
If you don't mind me asking about you, would you consider yourself a person that isn't very strong? Or someone that has had hand surgery or something of the sort? Or a bit older? Keep in mind these are serious questions and I'm not at all intending on making you look bad or anything.
I just want to rule out any issues that might be caused by you first before considering the firearm.
I just want to rule out any issues that might be caused by you first before considering the firearm.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
I've read about members having to rotate the recoil spring assembly to different positions to assemble but I've never had that experience so I can't comment on it but it's worth a try. I remember when this was happening on my 9c that it was frustrating. The slide would go almost all the way back and the takedown lever would rotate halfway back and everything would lock up. But with me it always came back to the spring, maybe when taking the spring out and making sure it was fully seated I got into just the right position. Like I said earlier it only happened once on the new CORE.
Edit: So this has gotten me curious. I just broke down my CORE a dozen times or so and I may have come up with what's happening. If, when moving the slide back the takedown lock lever rotates to the 45 degree position before the slide gets to the back of the lower frame it will lock up. I can move the lever to the down position, pull the slide forward and then try again. If the lever doesn't move to the halfway position until after the rear of the slide goes past the rear edge of the lower frame then it comes together normally. Give it a shot, hopefully I've explained it well enough. If I manually move the lever to the 45 position while moving the slide back I can get it to jam every time.
Edit: So this has gotten me curious. I just broke down my CORE a dozen times or so and I may have come up with what's happening. If, when moving the slide back the takedown lock lever rotates to the 45 degree position before the slide gets to the back of the lower frame it will lock up. I can move the lever to the down position, pull the slide forward and then try again. If the lever doesn't move to the halfway position until after the rear of the slide goes past the rear edge of the lower frame then it comes together normally. Give it a shot, hopefully I've explained it well enough. If I manually move the lever to the 45 position while moving the slide back I can get it to jam every time.
Hold the gun BELOW your waist. Clamp the slide with your non-dominant hand and push DOWN with your dominant hand. Make sure there is an empty mag in the gun.
To help reduce some of the power in the guide rod assembly, keep the slide locked to the rear for about 5 days.
C4
I don't mind you asking at all. Lack of strength was actually my first concern. So I called my brother (who has been shooting since he was old enough to hold a gun) 
and told him what was going on. He chuckled and said "You're probably not strong enough to get it back together. Bring it over and I'll help you." So I took it over and his smile quickly faded as he also had difficulty getting it back together. His exact words were "WHY is this gun so tight?!" He was concerned as he has been shooting S&W for a very long time. I told him I was going to get on the forum for some good advice. Thanks very much.
and told him what was going on. He chuckled and said "You're probably not strong enough to get it back together. Bring it over and I'll help you." So I took it over and his smile quickly faded as he also had difficulty getting it back together. His exact words were "WHY is this gun so tight?!" He was concerned as he has been shooting S&W for a very long time. I told him I was going to get on the forum for some good advice. Thanks very much.
OneJzsupra
US Veteran
I don't mind you asking at all. Lack of strength was actually my first concern. So I called my brother (who has been shooting since he was old enough to hold a gun)
If it's too much you can also get lighter trigger springs as well.
This is great. Thank you. Going to take it to the range this weekend too to see if it will loosen a bit. This technique sounds like it would work for me and give me some leverage. Thanks again.
I work with a lot of female shooters and am used to helping with hand strength issues.
C4
OneJzsupra
US Veteran
Is it a hard stop like it hits something?
I don't have a CORE but to get the slide all the way back on my 3rd gen I have to depress two little toggle levers and hold while sliding the slide back. Something similar might be happening on yours. Maybe. Probably not but I thought it might help.
I don't have a CORE but to get the slide all the way back on my 3rd gen I have to depress two little toggle levers and hold while sliding the slide back. Something similar might be happening on yours. Maybe. Probably not but I thought it might help.
MP9cBilly
Member
Can anyone comment if it would be a good idea for her to swap the recoil spring out with a Wolff recoil spring that is a couple of pounds lighter? -- providing she isn't shooting +P loads.
Shooting 9mm FMJ 115 grain. I took it back to the gun shop over the weekend to see if I was missing something or doing something incorrectly. The recoil spring is very very tight, even for an experienced gunsmith. He encouraged me that through time and use it should ease a bit. Steel plate shoot coming up this weekend so I hope to practice during the week and then compete on Saturday. Going to be an expensive holiday. ;-) Thanks very much everyone.
