M&P9 - Slide Jammed - Guide Rod Protruding At Muzzle

[kombos]

Have owned this gun for many years. Probably a thousand rounds through it with no issues. Has an Apex trigger kit that was installed when originally purchased.

Was shooting two days ago and gun stopped firing.

Current state:
Unfired round in chamber
Slide will not move at all
Trigger inactive
Guide rod protruding about 1/4" out the front

Please see pic. Any ideas what might have happened and how to disassemble at this point. Appreciate any input.

 

[Jessie]

I would take it to a gunsmith myself. Otherwise, staying well clear of the muzzle, I would try to push the guide rod back in flush and see if the slide will retract.
Again, I would choose option #1

 

[Execpro]

Put gun in a holster and call your local gun store and find out if they have a gunsmith. Too many things could go wrong if you try to fix problem yourself !!!!

 

[hook63]

That happened to me when I was reassembling it. It was wedged in to the lower frame. The rod needs to be pulled out and down so the back will go up. But with a live round a professional or S&W should be used.

 

[dla]

Make sure you keep your booger picker off the trigger and keep the muzzle pointed safe. Grab the end of the guide rod with a pair of needle nose from the side and pry gently against the slide. The goal is to pull the recoil spring assembly towards the muzzle. Maybe put some tape on the slide or a flat washer over the guide rod so that you dont scratch the slide when prying.

Then replace the recoil spring assembly - I think it is worn out.

 

[oldiegoldie]

might give Smith & Wesson a call & send picture.

 

[Tanners Owner]

Is it possible to remove slide back plate & remove the the striker to make the gun safe?

 

[LVSteve]

There is a worrying number of posts on this subject. Seems the M&P design has a definite weakness in the way the RSA fits and is retained. Is there another semi that suffers the same issue?

 

[Fynn]

This happened to me but was my fault for not crimping the case

Sounds to me like the round did not feed (inadequate crimp).

 

[hardluk1]

The slide is not fully forward as the slide should hang beyound the frame by about 3/16" inch or .180 while the recoil rod should be close to .228 beyound the frame . Instead it looks to be a slide out of battery issue and the end of the slide should be .030 short of the recoil rod under normal conditions . Note that is looks to be overhanging in the rear .

I don't think the recoil rod and spring is the issue but Fynn might be on the right course here .

Using a good light check for brass in the hole in the top of the chambers hood or in the gap between the slide and chamber on the right side of the chamber. If your shooting steel cased ammo use a needle to pass thru the hole in the hood or in the side to see if you hit some that stops the movement quickly.

You may be dealing with a stuck cartridge issue not a something recoil assembly related .

Might be you need to stand up and apply pressure to a top corner of the slide by pressing straight down with your body weight - legs well spread just in case while pressing down hard on a corner of a table or other squared solid surface . Be sure your not on the barrel . See if you can force the slide to the rear and ether extract a cartridge just some "brass " or slide the extractor over the cartridge rim . Then go to a smithy if needed to extract what ever is stuck and look it over well .

 

[kombos]

Thanks to all for the replies. Fynn & hardluk1 successfully pointed to the issue. I had not realized the slide was not fully forward. That pointed to a possible stuck cartridge as hardluk1 suggested.

I simply pulled harder on the slide and it finally moved backwards, revealing a round that was not fully chambered. I used a flat blade screwdriver to gently pry the rim backwards and the round came out easily.

I hand-cycled a magazine of ammo and all chambered and ejected as expected.

Photos of offending round here.

 

[LVSteve]

What ammo is that? I'm trying to fathom what marked the case like that.

 

[cmdrcody]

Were you shooting reloads?

If so you need need to check them with a case gauge unless you just want to mess up your firearms.

 

[Tiribulus]

What ammo is that? I'm trying to fathom what marked the case like that.

It looks like maybe the bottom of the breech on the slide rammed into it because the previous round was under powered and didn't cycle it all the way or something.

 

[kombos]

Relatively low power reloads....

 

[fiasconva]

Thanks for the update and hope you tossed those reloads.

 

[AlHunt]

Relatively low power reloads....

Low power shouldn't have caused that but inadequate sizing might have. I'd suggest plunk testing all remaining rounds in your chamber.

 

[cmdrcody]

Relatively low power reloads....

You don’t check size in a chamber, use the proper equipment. Mistakes in reloading can cause severe injuries or worse.

 

[Tu_S]

Relatively low power reloads....

Have had it happen to me in my M&P 45. The safety officer had a bracket that you could put the pistol in and push on to clear the problem, but the bullets got left behind when we got the slide to move.

Was shooting 230gn LRN that was loaded to an admittedly long but still in spec 1.26 COL, over 4.2gn of 700-x, a light target load that I have been using in my 1911's with no problems for around 30 years.

After 2 rounds got stuck I took the rest home to measure and test in the barrel, where they all worked fine. Not sure if it was just 2 mistakes on my part or something else.

 

[gnystrom]

I get this a few times per month at our range. Make and model doesn't seem to make a difference.
My solution, while wearing a pair of gloves and gun always pointed downrange,
Overhand strong grip on slide,
Strong blow to grip with gloved other hand.