M&P9 ejection weak, straight back

[alpining]

Hi all - I'm very new here (just signed up today!), so I hope this is in the right section.

I just bought an M&P9 range kit, did a basic cleaning, and dumped 450 rounds through it last night. I am very pleasantly surprised at the trigger (I was prepared for the worst), and the accuracy seems to be more about me than about the pistol, so that's all good.

However, ejection was weak throughout the shooting session, usually just dribbling out of the port. Mostly to the right, and landing at my feet, but 10-20% of the empties were ejecting straight back or even to the left. When they were going straight back, ejection was sometimes more lively, with many casings hitting my face, or landing on the top of my head or in the hood on my jacket.

After the first 150 rounds or so, reliability was 100%, so that's not a concern, but I don't consider this type of ejection to be satisfactory regardless.

I was shooting my IPSC-minor handloads: 125gr plated bullet at just over 1000fps, mixed range brass. No issues with this ammo in my CZ 85.

A quick web search showed that this sometimes happens (infrequently) with some M&P9s. It is sometimes (but not always) solved by using heavier-recoiling loads. Even if that solves the issue for my pistol, I think it's an imperfect solution. Perhaps an important detail: There is a distinct brass contact mark on the lower rim of the ejection port. It looks like the brass might be bouncing off of the slide at this point. Maybe this is contributing to the issue.

Can anyone advise if it is a matter of tuning the ejector? Or the extractor? If someone would kindly post photos of the shape of the ejector nose on their properly-ejecting M&P9, I would be much obliged. I'm sure S&W would warranty it, but I want to shoot this thing, not wait for it while it goes on a holiday!

I'm happy to provide more details if it helps, but maybe someone knows exactly what going on with just these details...

Any advice appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[Rgoodwin]

Mine does the same thing but I thought it was just me. I've had a few big fellas shoot it that are experienced pistol guys and rounds continuously bounce off our shoulders, back over our heads etc. plus side they are easy to find. I also have a mark on the bottom side of the ejection port. Try to get a pic later.

 

[Rgoodwin]

This is the mark. It's gotten worse the more rounds through it. About 500 now. Thoughts anyone?

 

[Rgoodwin]

Of all those rounds the only failure was this cartridge. It was stuck trying to load like the third or fourth round. Was caught on the lip. When I got it out the round fell apart in my hand. It contained no powder. Empty! So really except for my poor marksmanship and the ejection problem it's been flawless.

 

[Rgoodwin]

This pic sorry!

 

[keakar]

have a read at this thread, its about the M&P ejector issues

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/310773-does-m-p-have-ejector-issues.html

 

[Rgoodwin]

Last night I broke down my pistol again and inspected more carefully. I found a piece of metal lodged in the extractor hook. It took a toothpick prying fairly hard to get it out. Cleaned out some grime at the bottom of the hook that had collected there as a result. Shot 15 rounds through it just now and it was throwing them out like its supposed to!

 

[alpining]

have a read at this thread, its about the M&P ejector issues

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/310773-does-m-p-have-ejector-issues.html

Thanks for the suggestions: I read the thread, but it's not really about M&P ejector issues, despite the title. It's about the existence of the Apex failure-resistant extractor (incorrectly referred to as the "Apex ejector" in the thread). No real discussion of actual issues related to the stock M&P extractor.

 

[alpining]

Last night I broke down my pistol again and inspected more carefully. I found a piece of metal lodged in the extractor hook. It took a toothpick prying fairly hard to get it out. Cleaned out some grime at the bottom of the hook that had collected there as a result. Shot 15 rounds through it just now and it was throwing them out like its supposed to!

Glad it worked out for you! I haven't had a chance to test fire mine since I did a complete tear-down cleaning. Hopefully on Saturday.

 

[alpining]

After two more rounds of test firing, and a few modifications:

Some very modest improvement in ejection after I lightly polished the ejector nose and extractor hook. However, I completely eliminated the ejection problem after stoning away casting marks on the extractor (top and bottom of the extractor, where it contacts the slide in the extractor groove). I don't understand why, but it worked.

I'd like to add that using higher powered ammunition "solved" the ejection problem in my case as well. To be frank, I'd say that using higher powered ammunition masks the problem: There is no reason why the pistol should not reliably eject any round that has sufficient power to fully cycle the slide.

I'm glad that worked. But now, I've just noticed that the lackluster accuracy really isn't all my fault. It looks like it may be due to poor lockup (measured 9 thou of lateral play in barrel at breech face), at least in part. But that might become the subject of another thread... :/

 

[waynemrobinson]

I also just purchased an M&P 9 and fired for the first time this weekend and the fired casing also ejects straight back, hitting me in the face. This does not happen with my M&P 40c. I know this is not right as the problem exits using Hornady Critical Defense ammo. I am also seeking a remedy.

 

[alpining]

I also just purchased an M&P 9 and fired for the first time this weekend and the fired casing also ejects straight back, hitting me in the face. This does not happen with my M&P 40c. I know this is not right as the problem exits using Hornady Critical Defense ammo. I am also seeking a remedy.

If the problem persists after an expected break-in period they should warranty it for you.

If you're impatient (like me!), you can try the fixes I mentioned.

 

[calvoni]

I have a M&P 9MM full size also. From day 1, spent casing were ejecting straight up or straight back at me about 50% of the time. Sent it in, they sent it back. Took it to the range, and found out that instead of it lobbing them back at me 50% of the time, it was now rocketing them back at me 100% of the time. 4 types of ammo - all same. Flaming hot casings. In fact, 1 or them managed to get behind my safety glasses and I now have a 2ND Degree burn on my face. Called S&W, explained situation and sent a pic of my injury. They decided to replace the gun and have me pick up the new one in 4 weeks, YES, 4 weeks. So 3 weeks for first repair, 4 weeks for the new gun which I have to pick up at a local gun shop at my expense. I asked them to explain to me how I got a gun back with the problem worse that it was, they said they replaced the extractor and tested it with NATO rounds and it worked perfectly. Amazing. Now I have a burn, and probably a permanent scar. In return, they will replace a 5 month old gun with a new one and expect me to be satisfied with that. I have 3 S&W guns, and was a loyal customer. Wont be buying another one anytime soon. VERY disappointing to say the least.

 

[waynemrobinson]

The fact is really simple. In business in this market, we as buyers are at the mercy of retailers who are not interested in a fix to a new gun they sell and it also seems that the manuf. S&W is giving the correct rhetoric and that is where it stops. If I did this to my clients, I would be out of business.

Stand behind what you manufacture by replacing faulty new items with new first quality product. The LGS is not getting any more of my business as they do nothing but give me the run around by telling me the gun is "not right".

Any retailer in any other business would be held accountable to the customer.