My FS M&P 9mm is coming back from S&W for accuracy issues....

[MtnBubba]

I have a new M&P 9mm full size. Just picked it up yesterday. Shot it today. It was produced in April, has the new contoured barrel, does not have a hole for an ambidextrous thumb safety, and it is a lemon.

I don't have anything new to add, but to add my name to the list of "last time customers." I have a S&W Mod 41 and it is awesome. Now this M&P.

I've been a member of a pistol team, and for what it's worth, repeatedly qualified as pistol expert in the military. I normally shoot 1" round stickers from an office supply store on plain white paper. Out to 10 yards, I can usually keep my shots at least touching the dots. Pretty close at 15. (This is usually with centerfire Sigs and HK's.)

It really pisses me off that it shoots so horribly. As an American, it's embarrassing. I was missing an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper at 15 yards. I think I would be better off with a bag of billiard balls than this thing in a gun fight. By the time I pay to have a new barrel installed, I'll be pushing the cost of an HK. It sure does feel nice to hold though.

Oh, and I'm a lefty. I reversed the mag release per the supplied owners manual. The mag follower is so sloppy that it tilts to the left. As a result, it hangs up on the mag release as it is on it's way back up. Leaves a tangled mess of bullets, requiring disassembly of the mag after it fails to feed.

Needless to say, I won't be advertising it at the range. It's going back in the box, and on the shelf where it will stay. Nice work S&W.

 

[Masterorion9]

So strange cuz mine shoots like a champ and it is also a new build. I did have to install an Apex FSS trigger kit to make it better though. But I'm able to get A-zone hits at 15yrds plus quite easily if I do my part.

 

[MtnBubba]

I shot it again tonight. Just to make sure it wasn't something weird yesterday.

I started with my P229 .22 conversion and some Federal Automatch, (which is not all that accurate.) Off of a rest at 25 yds, I had just over a 2" group. Then I went to my USP .45 and had a 1.5" group at 25 (using Hornady XTP). Next up the M&P. With 115 gr HXTP, it grouped at about 8". With 124 gr JHP it grouped at 18"!!

It's depressing.

In practical terms for those that say there is no need to shoot at 25 yds. The Navy uses 25 yds for their marksmanship qualification. It would be impossible to qualify expert using this handgun. I doubt it would even get you marksman. Even if every shot was a "x" when the gun fired.

 

[danysw]

I know is frustrating having a new gun that is unavailable to shoot well. I have two M&Ps 9mm (Full and Compact) I'm not consider myself a "good shooter" but I'm able to shoot 3" groups at 25 yards rest but unable to get less than 4" groups same distance hands on, I loaned my guns to two well experience shooters and both were able to get 2" groups at 25 yards hands on.
IMO before saying the whole brand is cr..p I would go to any range and rent another gun (same brand and caliber) and test it. If the rented works as bad as my own gun then maybe I would say its sh..t but maybe it works flawlessly and you just got a lemon.

 

[growr]

Call S&W, get a call tag and send it in for repair. Simple and easy.

My FS 9mm shoots exceptionally well. 15 yard groups average under 1.5 inches with anything I put in it and gets even better with 147 grain bullets.

My FS .40 does even better and had over 16,000 rounds downrange and probably ten times that in dry fires before I needed to replace the sear assy. I use this gun in USPSA/IDPA matches.

I called S&W on a Tuesday and had the part in my mailbox on Thursday. That is the S&W Customer Service "I" know. They cannot address anything they don't know about.

Randy

I have a new M&P 9mm full size. Just picked it up yesterday. Shot it today. It was produced in April, has the new contoured barrel, does not have a hole for an ambidextrous thumb safety, and it is a lemon.

I don't have anything new to add, but to add my name to the list of "last time customers." I have a S&W Mod 41 and it is awesome. Now this M&P.

I've been a member of a pistol team, and for what it's worth, repeatedly qualified as pistol expert in the military. I normally shoot 1" round stickers from an office supply store on plain white paper. Out to 10 yards, I can usually keep my shots at least touching the dots. Pretty close at 15. (This is usually with centerfire Sigs and HK's.)

It really pisses me off that it shoots so horribly. As an American, it's embarrassing. I was missing an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper at 15 yards. I think I would be better off with a bag of billiard balls than this thing in a gun fight. By the time I pay to have a new barrel installed, I'll be pushing the cost of an HK. It sure does feel nice to hold though.

Oh, and I'm a lefty. I reversed the mag release per the supplied owners manual. The mag follower is so sloppy that it tilts to the left. As a result, it hangs up on the mag release as it is on it's way back up. Leaves a tangled mess of bullets, requiring disassembly of the mag after it fails to feed.

Needless to say, I won't be advertising it at the range. It's going back in the box, and on the shelf where it will stay. Nice work S&W.

 

[MtnBubba]

I know there is some emotion imbedded in my post. For that I apologize. However, I am 100% confident it is not my technique. This serial number does not shoot well to put it mildly. I can't imagine any modern day manufactured weapon being sent out the door for sale shooting this poorly. There is not a lot of rocket science involved in the way it operates, and S&W was by no means the first to invent it.

Given "who" S&W is, how long the M&P has been fielded, this simply should not happen. If you look at S&W's recent quarterly earnings, they are making record profits. There are many accounts of other people having the same issue. At the same time there are as many accounts if not more of people having good accuracy with the M&P9. There is simply no justifiable explanation for the accepted quality control associated with the M&P9. It's not a "one of" situation. It is happening over and over, and most accounts indicate that S&W accepts the weapon back for warranty, inspects and returns them untouched and determined to be "within spec." Others have parts replaced and have the same problem when they get it back. I missed this in my research. Had I come across this, I would have a P2000 or P30 sitting in my safe now begging to be shot.

I called them. The gentleman I spoke with said he used to work on the range and that they had to shoot a 3" group or better to be sent back out. He is emailing me a shipping label to return it.

 

[Masterorion9]

Good luck w/ the warranty repair. I hope they're able to fix your problem. It's a real shame to give up on an otherwise excellent tool. It's like you said, the thing fits like a glove.

I believe one member here had his barrel recrowned and that fixed it. Others are saying it's the locking block. There are just too many variables to be sure what is causing the inaccuracy in each case.

 

[MtnBubba]

The barrel is tight when the slide is forward, but as soon as the slide starts to move, the barrel starts to drop. It will actually fire with the slide back 1/8-3/16" from closed. But thats another issue.

Anyway, with the barrel tight when the slide if forward, my guess is:

1) Locking Block
2) Barrel locking lug
3) Slide Barrel fit

It has to be one of those, if not a combination.

 

[MtnBubba]

It's been back 5 times now. 2 new barrels, 1 new slide, and the 4th time they shot it at only 15 yards and found no problem.

I was able to repeatedly duplicate their 15 yard 1.5" 5-shot group. My best 25 yard group was just under 8".

 

[toadcoder]

It's probably your eyes. I have an astigmatism and it took a while to find a way to adjust for it. In the meantime I was driving the gun company crazy sending back my 5.25 XDM. I figured it out by lending it to a friend who was able to shoot it much more accurately. Eventually I got some adjustable-focus glasses and the problem went away. Astigmatism - You might want to google it.

 

[toadcoder]

Oh one more thing - the astigmatism wandering focus issue is worse the longer the distance between sights. In other words, it would explain why the shorter gun seemed more accurate. Just a few inches can make a difference.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Since I started this thread, I'll add something more recent. Sold the inaccurate M&P FS 9mm I had awhile back and bought another M&P FS 9mm with the new trigger reset, barrel and whatever else they've changed. Test fire date is mid-march 2013 and the groups right off the bat are 2.5" or less at 15 yards with any ammo. Hmm...guess it wasn't me after all.

 

[Red Grant]

Since I started this thread, I'll add something more recent. Sold the inaccurate M&P FS 9mm I had awhile back and bought another M&P FS 9mm with the new trigger reset, barrel and whatever else they've changed. Test fire date is mid-march 2013 and the groups right off the bat are 2.5" or less at 15 yards with any ammo. Hmm...guess it wasn't me after all.

Nak, I've got a question. I'm considering this very pistol for my first pistol. I've been doing a lot of reading about the accuracy issues with this pistol. On your new pistol from 3/13, have you now tried it at 25 yards, and if so, what kind of groups are you getting? Thanks.

 

[Handyandy]

I have 2 M&P 9s, one is from mid-2012 and the other is December 2012, if I recall correctly. The early one has the horrible accuracy that everyone complains about, the other is a tack driver. Same ammo, shooter, trigger, sights, magazines. Same everything, so I think we can rule out extraneous factors. I wish there were a way I could send it back and know that I would get the new barrel rather than playing games with a stupid sight adjustment. Does anyone have a name or contact at S&W so I can get this done right the first time? I don't feel like I should have to spend $150 on an aftermarket barrel to have acceptable accuracy.

Thanks, Andy

 

[Bkreutz]

I had good luck talking with a man named Jason at S&W customer service. Was very professional. The phone number I used was (800)331-0852 EXT 4125. HTH

 

[Fastbolt]

In my last M&P pistol armorer recert last year, the instructor mentioned that the engineers were still working on tweaking the 9's for complaints of accuracy issues. Guess this is one of the effects of having designed the gun from the start as a .40 S&W pistol, and then working on revising the model to chamber it in 9mm.

I tend to like the M&P chambered in .45 ACP, myself, as my '08 production model has been an absolute tack-driver since NIB, rivaling my last couple of new 1911's (Colt XSE Gov & SW1911SC 5"). Other guys I know who have ordered M&P 45's have experienced similar excellent accuracy. A couple guys at the factory had been fairly vocal about how well the M&P 45's shoot, too. One uses his for 3-gun, if I recall right. (Stock, no PC or aftermarket parts, either. )

Anyway, I've recently had the opportunity to try a few newer production M&P 9's (VTAC's & 9c's), and the inherent accuracy with duty 124gr +P loads seems just fine. The owners of those guns have been very pleased with them (a mix of other shooters & instructors who are mostly 1911 & Glock owners, as well as S&W 3rd gen users).

A newer M&P 9 FS sent for T&E has been found to be very satisfactory by folks trying it, too. I keep meaning to run some rounds through it myself, but I'm always busy with something or other when working the range. Maybe next month.

 

[Red Grant]

In my last M&P pistol armorer recert last year, the instructor mentioned that the engineers were still working on tweaking the 9's for complaints of accuracy issues.

Thanks for the information, Fastbolt. Do you have any contacts at the factory that you could check with currently to see if they've finally sorted out the accuracy issues on the 9mm FS?

 

[Fastbolt]

Let me send some queries.

The newest ones I've been using don't seem to have any inherent or practical accuracy issues, though.

 

[George9]

Plastic gun with mostly stamped out parts.. Ya it does darn good taking into consideration how it's made and what's it's made out of.. cost to S&W to produce the M&P line, not much at all.. I would bet that they make less money on the M&P 22 do to over seas shipments.. Parts and mags are almost never in stock for it.. You want your gun to print better get a better gun a Colt 1911 or any other make all steel high end model at around $6000 grand or more.. i think you will be happy with more consistency all the way around!! at 20 to 25 yards they all do more then fine.. They will do fine for there intended use. Suck it up or shell it out for a better made gun!! George

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Plastic gun with mostly stamped out parts.. Ya it does darn good taking into consideration how it's made and what's it's made out of.. cost to S&W to produce the M&P line, not much at all.. I would bet that they make less money on the M&P 22 do to over seas shipments.. Parts and mags are almost never in stock for it.. You want your gun to print better get a better gun a Colt 1911 or any other make all steel high end model at around $6000 grand or more.. i think you will be happy with more consistency all the way around!! at 20 to 25 yards they all do more then fine.. They will do fine for there intended use. Suck it up or shell it out for a better made gun!! George

Even though this thread should be done, I'll reply. As you can see in my posts and thread, my original was shooting 10" groups at 15 yards and the newest one I bought a few months ago is doing 2.5" groups at 15 yards with the same ammo and shooter. I've owned/own other poly 9mms like the PX4 subcompact, XD/M subcompact/compact/tactical/4.5, Glock 26/19,SD9VE, Shield and M&P 9c.

I owned the Shield at the same time as the original FS and it was getting 1/4 of the groups the FS was. All of those other poly guns got 1/4 or less size groups and all of them with the same ammo and shooter.

I think it's time to realize that there was a problem with the older FS 9mm models which seem to be corrected in the more recent production.