GaryM&P
Member
Do the new 9mms have a stainless striker?
M&P Full Size 45 Firing Pin Breakage
- Thread starter ToddS112
- Start date
With my life experience of things breaking at sharp stress risers, the original firing pin looks like an illustration of what NOT to do in creating something like a firing pin that is subject to the forces involved in the "life" of a firing pin. Add to that the MIM material issue, and I have to wonder who thought this was the proper design. An amazing design failure.
Fastbolt
Member
I was given the impression that the striker redesign was going to be a general one. I just haven't had occasion to see some from any guns other than the .45 model.
The original design of the striker, with the sharp angle of the rear of the head where it reduces down to the body, isn't an uncommon one when it comes to striker-fired guns and the firing pins used in other makes/models.
The original design of the striker, with the sharp angle of the rear of the head where it reduces down to the body, isn't an uncommon one when it comes to striker-fired guns and the firing pins used in other makes/models.
new cal shooter
Member
My 9mm M&P had a "burr" grow on the striker, began failing to hit the primer deep enough to start the fire, so with a few weeks of waiting, I'll have a new striker assembly i hope. Other than this, i REALLY like the gun, Love the sights, Feel and trigger, Hope this is the only issue i have with it, Loves lead cast bullets!
Well, got the parts today and it wasn't the complete assembly, just the strikers. They are the updated version, but without the updated spring retainer/cup. So I called them back and requested any and all parts that were updated to complete the striker assembly.
Took 10 days to get the strikers. So it probably wont be until after the new year when I back from vacation, I can get the updated parts installed.
Fudge.
magnum12pm
Member
I just got a new M&P 45, haven't had it to the range yet. It seems to have a gritty trigger. I got out the Lyman gage and found it has an 8 lb. trigger pull, a little much in my opinion. I think I will wait for Apex to get their sear on the market and just replace it, rather than do it my self. I did my own M&P 40, which has 41/2 lb. trigger and much smoother than the 45. I have to admit the 40 has about 10k of ammo through it though.
Fastbolt
Member
Here's some pics of the new striker and the orientation of the new 1-piece spring keeper.
The new 1-piece spring keeper off the striker
The keeper as it fits onto the striker, with the open slot facing UP. I positioned the keeper a little to the rear of the striker head (against which it will actually rest when assembled) so you can see how the front of the keeper will fit up against the rear of the striker - just like how the separate 2-piece keepers are retained.)
The assembled striker, viewed from above, showing how the open slot of the keeper faces UP.
These pics show how the 90-degree angle of the rear of the striker must fit in the striker guide, BTW.
Hope this helps.
The new 1-piece spring keeper off the striker
The keeper as it fits onto the striker, with the open slot facing UP. I positioned the keeper a little to the rear of the striker head (against which it will actually rest when assembled) so you can see how the front of the keeper will fit up against the rear of the striker - just like how the separate 2-piece keepers are retained.)
The assembled striker, viewed from above, showing how the open slot of the keeper faces UP.
These pics show how the 90-degree angle of the rear of the striker must fit in the striker guide, BTW.
Hope this helps.
Last edited:
Fastbolt
Member
I checked my M&P 45 when it was NIB and got averages around 8 1/2 - 9+ lbs. Not too bad considering the .45 models run about a pound heavier than the 9/40/357 models (which are spec'd at 6 1/2 lbs +/- 2 lbs).
It became noticeably smoother and seemingly lighter within a few hundred rounds, and seemed even more so as I was approaching 3,000 rounds. I replaced the striker within the last few hundred rounds so it has a pretty new striker spring right now, and when I just checked it on my digital gauge I got an averaged reading of just barely 6 lbs.
The inherent accuracy is outstanding, and since I use it as a retirement CCW I'll leave it stock.
Very nice pistol.
magnum12pm
Member
Thanks for the interesting info, gives me some comparison poundages. My MP 40 had a 5 pound 11 ounce trigger when NIB.
Fastbolt
Member
The armorer manual lists that 6 1/2 lbs, with a plus or minus 2 lbs range, is the normal range trigger pull expected on the smaller calibers, meaning you could conceivably get one as low as 4 1/2 lbs and as high as 8 1/2 lbs.
I'm told the 45 should run approx 7 1/2 lbs with the same 2 lbs plus or minus margin being possible.
My personal M&P 45 is approx 3+ lbs less now than when it was new.
My M&P 40c was lighter than my M&P 45, but I didn't bother to check it with a gauge.
Fastbolt, thanks again for the great info and the pics.
My trigger pull got significantly better with a few hundred rounds in it. I did buff and polish the sear too. I actually did a bit of cutting on the original sear and got a really smooth light pull at about 5 pounds. The "powers that be" found out and I ended up having to buy an entire housing with sear to get a stock one back in the gun. All that work to end up back at the crappy heavy pull.
I too would like to test one of the new Apex sears to see what it gets the pull down to. I still love my .45. We'll see how it goes at our night quals this week: cold, dark, snow, wind, should be a great time..
My trigger pull got significantly better with a few hundred rounds in it. I did buff and polish the sear too. I actually did a bit of cutting on the original sear and got a really smooth light pull at about 5 pounds. The "powers that be" found out and I ended up having to buy an entire housing with sear to get a stock one back in the gun. All that work to end up back at the crappy heavy pull.
I too would like to test one of the new Apex sears to see what it gets the pull down to. I still love my .45. We'll see how it goes at our night quals this week: cold, dark, snow, wind, should be a great time..
