MP40 slide to frame fit?
- Thread starter osxsw
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JBradford
Member
I'd send it back to Smith if it's shooting well.
JaPes
Member
I think he meant that if the play in the slide to frame fit negatively affects accuracy (assuming a proficient shooting skill level) or interferes with the firing cycle of your handgun, then contact S&W.
There will always be some movement in the clearance tolerances between the slide & frame fit. I have a brand new M&P 9 and there's some lateral play in the slide to frame. It's not any more or worse than either of the Glock 9mm's I own. My M&P 9 or Glocks definitely don't have the lateral slide to frame play of a Ruger P95 (excellent affordable 9mm) had.
I'm not sure what everyone's experiences have been. I've found that while super tight clearance tolerance in handguns lends itself to increased accuracy, it also lends itself to the firearm being finicky with ammo, cycling, etc.
My buddy's super-tuned, every part swapped out & custom fit 1911 is dead on nuts accurate like you would not believe, but it is ammo sensitive & a tad finicky. More things have to be absolutely right for it to reliably function.
I have a bone stock Ruger SR1911. It's doesn't have super tight clearance tolerances. It isn't a loose sloppy pig either. It's not as accurate as my buddy's 1911, but it will cycle any ammo I put through it and it is very accurate in my hands.
The little bit of lateral play in the slide to frame clearance tolerance is a good thing.
There will always be some movement in the clearance tolerances between the slide & frame fit. I have a brand new M&P 9 and there's some lateral play in the slide to frame. It's not any more or worse than either of the Glock 9mm's I own. My M&P 9 or Glocks definitely don't have the lateral slide to frame play of a Ruger P95 (excellent affordable 9mm) had.
I'm not sure what everyone's experiences have been. I've found that while super tight clearance tolerance in handguns lends itself to increased accuracy, it also lends itself to the firearm being finicky with ammo, cycling, etc.
My buddy's super-tuned, every part swapped out & custom fit 1911 is dead on nuts accurate like you would not believe, but it is ammo sensitive & a tad finicky. More things have to be absolutely right for it to reliably function.
I have a bone stock Ruger SR1911. It's doesn't have super tight clearance tolerances. It isn't a loose sloppy pig either. It's not as accurate as my buddy's 1911, but it will cycle any ammo I put through it and it is very accurate in my hands.
The little bit of lateral play in the slide to frame clearance tolerance is a good thing.
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Houdini1953
Member
Well there can be some tolerance because a slide assembly must ...well slide and for this reason there has to be some tolerance but you might have to decide if this tolerance level is one that you are comfortable with. Take it to a range and get some on site opinions and if uncomfortable them send it back to S&W for either a new weapon or a fix of the problem.
Welcome to the forum while I am not the newest member here there is always something you can ask and get some great advise on feel free to participate more often there are many M&P owners and users here with great experience with these particular weapons, glad you chose one for yourself!
Welcome to the forum while I am not the newest member here there is always something you can ask and get some great advise on feel free to participate more often there are many M&P owners and users here with great experience with these particular weapons, glad you chose one for yourself!
Houdini1953
Member
So if it's a lousy shooting gun then you would keep it? Please do not vote for any politician you seem confused!
Houdini1953
Member
This is a good reason that the US military Mil Specs required certain things out of the 1911 45 ACP. I had to shoot one of these in boot camp and it was the weapon of choice until I think the 1990s then they went to the Beretta 9 millimeter and still use it.
The 1911 could be broke down and any working part of one weapon could be used to make your weapon work again there was a tolerance level that the military considered acceptable and it seems that it worked for years, if your gun is loose then there might be a good reason for ir and M&P means something there is a reason it is not tight, so it will work under any circumstance and that is reassuring in a self defense weapon isn't it?
JaPes
Member
This is excellent advice. The nature of written communication is not conducive to relating the "feel" of what is acceptable v.s. unacceptable play. It's something that needs to be felt in person.
You'll have to assess the credibility & experience level of the fellow firearms enthusiasts at the range who are willing to assess your M&P 40. The tricky part is that "feel" is subjective.
A better option is to examine other M&P 40's. Whenever you're at the LGS, chain store, gun show, etc..., make a point to handle the display M&P 40. Dry fire, rack the slide, and check the lateral play in the slide to frame fit. How does it compare to yours?
I think this would be a better method to assess the way you feel & interpret play in your M&P 40, and judge what is normal and what isn't.
Osxsw, I apologize for not extending you a warm welcome to the forum.
A belated Welcome aboard!
I'm new to the M&P semi-auto handgun, but not new to firearms. I hang out mostly in the S&W Long Gun M&P 15-22 & M&P 15 sub-forums. I agree with Houdini1953 that this forum has a better, friendlier tone, than some others.
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Pisgah
Member
As already noted, some slide-to-frame play is necessary for reliable function. Yours sounds normal. Much more important to accuracy is a firm fit between barrel and slide.
kevin.andress
Member
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The 9's are loose. Haven't seen a tight one yet. Mines too loose for my preference, I.E. Worse then a glock or SD.
bikendan
Member
wow, brought a two year-old thread back to life!
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