M&P40 failed to fire

[HCA]

OK, I am a novice with the M&P (had it about 6 months, but this is only my second time at the range with it). Here's what happens - not every time, but about 5 times this session: I was loading it with 6 rounds of American Eagle 180 FMJ. I used 6 rounds because I wanted to bring the target back in and get an idea of where I was hitting. After the magazine emptied, the slide locked back, I ejected the magazine, reloaded with 6 more rounds, and then let the slide go forward. On 5 different occasions, everything seemed normal, but the trigger went full back and nothing happened. A round was chambered, and I ejected the mag, pulled the slide back and ejected the chambered round, put the round back in the mag, and then closed it. The round fired as advertised. So, I have eliminated the ammo. Why does the striker not fire? I've tried pulling the slide back from the locked position and releasing it, as well as just releasing it with the button, and had this happen both ways. What am I missing here?

In the meantime, I am back to my reliable 686 revolver.

 

[AGoyette]

Did you maybe ride the slide when you brought it forward? If it was out of battery it would not fire.

 

[HCA]

Did you maybe ride the slide when you brought it forward? If it was out of battery it would not fire.

No, I was careful to avoid that. At least twice, I just hit the slide release without touching the slide, and let it go forward.

 

[rdtompki]

Do you have a magazine disconnect? If so, you probably didn't have the mag seated all the way. You may chamber a round, but the gun won't fire. This appears to be much more of a problem with 10 round mags. Next time this happens check whether the mag is really seated before ejecting You may be surprised.

 

[gboling]

It is not designed to load by releasing the slide release. The slide must be pulled all the way back and released.

 

[ginzo]

Slide Stop........

Pull the slide to the rear and release it, allowing it to carry fully forward. This strips a cartridge from the magazine and seats it in the chamber of the barrel.

Did you happen to hear the striker come forward, or was there complete silence as in a dead trigger?

I think I'm leaning towards post #4 if you have the disconnect.

No, I was careful to avoid that. At least twice, I just hit the slide release without touching the slide, and let it go forward.

It is not designed to load by releasing the slide release. The slide must be pulled all the way back and released.

 

[shawn mccarver]

It is not designed to load by releasing the slide release. The slide must be pulled all the way back and released.

The minor difference in slide travel length caused by chambering a round one way or the other should have absolutely nothing to do with the issue the OP has mentioned. This gun needs to go back to S&W.

 

[dajogejr]

Both my MPs (compacts, 9 and 40) will chamber a round slingshot or slide lock release. I prefer slingshot and that's how I train...

You said the gun is 6 months old. Is that 6 months old as in new gun, or is that a used gun (perhaps older gun) that is new to you for 6 months?

Reason I ask, older MP has a smaller sear plunger pin that is sometimes known to have a dead trigger....hence the reason for S&W to upgrade the plunger size and spring.

If the gun is 6 months old and "new"...that shouldn't be the issue then.

 

[HCA]

Slide Stop........

Pull the slide to the rear and release it, allowing it to carry fully forward. This strips a cartridge from the magazine and seats it in the chamber of the barrel.

Did you happen to hear the striker come forward, or was there complete silence as in a dead trigger?

I think I'm leaning towards post #4 if you have the disconnect.

I tried both ways, with the slide release as well as pulling the slide full back and release. Got the malfunction either way. Complete silence...but as I mentioned, it was intermittant. Most of the time everything functioned as advertised, sometimes not.

 

[HCA]

Do you have a magazine disconnect? If so, you probably didn't have the mag seated all the way. You may chamber a round, but the gun won't fire. This appears to be much more of a problem with 10 round mags. Next time this happens check whether the mag is really seated before ejecting You may be surprised.

Nope, no mag disconnect.

 

[HCA]

Both my MPs (compacts, 9 and 40) will chamber a round slingshot or slide lock release. I prefer slingshot and that's how I train...

You said the gun is 6 months old. Is that 6 months old as in new gun, or is that a used gun (perhaps older gun) that is new to you for 6 months?

Reason I ask, older MP has a smaller sear plunger pin that is sometimes known to have a dead trigger....hence the reason for S&W to upgrade the plunger size and spring.

If the gun is 6 months old and "new"...that shouldn't be the issue then.

No, that is 6 months as in purchased new in December 2013.

 

[Ksimons]

I would contact S&W and send it back to get checked out.

 

[ginzo]

^^^At this point, and do to the age of the gun, what he said^^^

 

[Rastoff]

Hmmm, this one is a poser.

Take a look at this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/341115-m-p-parts-identification.html

Now, using that as a guide, take a look at part #32; trigger return spring. Check to see that it is not broken or not attached.

Next look closely at part #29: trigger bar. Look it over to see if there are any broken parts or jagged edges. I don't think this is the issue, but you never know.

Then look at the sear; part #28. Use a small tool to move it up and down. Does it move smoothly? Are there any nicks or notches in it?

These are just some things to look at. I'm going to go see if I can duplicate your problem.

 

[Tex1001]

Last fall I got a M&P 45c at a giveaway price. I didn't test fire it for 4 months. All OK with my 200 gr. reloads. I went to 230 gr. hydra-shocks and started getting identical failures. Got home and found that if I dropped the slide with the trigger pulled, the striker followed the slide all the way. On Rastoff's IPB, the problem was #29, the trigger bar that rides the slide was canted. A quick bend and everything was normal. The interaction between the slide rail, trigger bar, and sear is critical. You should let the factory fix it unless you have a lot of experience.
Aside: I am switching from carrying an Officer's ACP after 22 years because of back problems. The 45c weighs half of the ACP and I could swear that the recoil is reduced.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[rcp1936]

What you had was a Failure to Reset

 

[RalphMP9FS]

What you had was a Failure to Reset

I agree with you.

 

[HCA]

What you had was a Failure to Reset

Yep, that sounds exactly like what happened. I did some internet searches on that issue, and I see that it is indeed an issue on some M&Ps. So, as someone else in this thread mentioned, it needs to go back to S&W. I'll be contacting them tomorrow to arrange to have it shipped back. In the meantime, I'll revert back to my faithful old 686+ snubby with 7 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense in .357 magnum. Might be old school, but it always goes BANG when I pull that trigger.

Thanks all for the responses.

 

[HCA]

Well, it went off to S&W, received there on July 14th, received back today, so kudos to them for a quick turn around. I haven't had a chance to take it out to the range after repair, but plan to do so next week. However, I am a little concerned about what repairs were actually done. The repair order says only: Evaluate/Repair adjust trigger bar/clean chamber seat function test w/no issues. Sounds almost as if that was a polite way of saying we didn't find anything wrong. If this gun was excessively dirty, then maybe there might be something there, but (counting the 100 rounds during the last seesion), there had been less than 225 rounds through it since it was bought new in box in November 2013. I don't think the American Eagle ammo was that dirty. Any opinions on this? I guess maybe a good session on the range might restore my confidence in this gun, but right now, I am inclined to stay with my 686+ revolver for EDC.

 

[ginzo]

Go shoot the cr*p out of it, then you will know for sure. And personally, I would try several brands of ammo. Not every auto eats every brand.

The dirtiest ammo I ever shot was that steel Tulammo and mine fired every time. It was all I could find at the time, I don't use it anymore but would if I had to. I use mostly WWB at the range but have shot many brands.

Well, it went off to S&W, received there on July 14th, received back today, so kudos to them for a quick turn around. I haven't had a chance to take it out to the range after repair, but plan to do so next week. However, I am a little concerned about what repairs were actually done. The repair order says only: Evaluate/Repair adjust trigger bar/clean chamber seat function test w/no issues. Sounds almost as if that was a polite way of saying we didn't find anything wrong. If this gun was excessively dirty, then maybe there might be something there, but (counting the 100 rounds during the last seesion), there had been less than 225 rounds through it since it was bought new in box in November 2013. I don't think the American Eagle ammo was that dirty. Any opinions on this? I guess maybe a good session on the range might restore my confidence in this gun, but right now, I am inclined to stay with my 686+ revolver for EDC.