New FS9, 2 problems...

[kcb38]

Howdy all, 1st post here. I took my new FS9 to the range today and had a couple of unexpected issues. I apologize if these have been covered but a search didn't turn up what I was looking for.

First off, I noticed that a couple times when inserting a mag the slide released and went to battery. I wasn't being overly gentle but I didn't slam the mag home either. I can't imagine that this is normal.

Second, I had lots of failure to feeds. It always happened with the first round off a newly inserted mag. If I could get past that one I was ok. I didn't ride the slide. It didn't matter if I used the slide release or I slingshotted it myself, the first round would jam. It seemed to happen mainly with Geco ammunition. I tried some Winchester white box and it seemed fine.

Anyone have a similar experience with a new FS? TIA, Kirk

 

[Llando88]

First, warm welcome to the Forum.

Regarding the auto forwarding, you will find opinions mixed. It does happen. Mine does it. I happen to prefer it.

If I recall correctly, the manual states this may happen if the mag is inserted vigorously. Either way, no, it is not unusual in the least.

On the FTF, the first thing I would do is disassemble and clean each magazine, then put them back together. I believe the manual says not to lube them. I missed that at first, so I used a bit of my CLP (Froglube) on the mag box and followers, then wiped it all down. When I clean them now after every couple range sessions, I don't use any lube.

The other thing would be to make sure that you are racking the slide with enthusiasm. It is not meant to be babied. Really give it some oomph when you pull it back.

I've not had any FTF in 2,200+ rounds since purchase new last Nov in my Oct '14 build gun. Hope it works better on your next range visit.

Rich in Tampa

 

[Prasko]

When the round is jamming, is it nosediving? Or is it partially stuck in the chamber?

 

[Saudade]

Can't add much to Llando88's post.

Sounds like your feed issue is ammo related. I suggest shooting it more with known working ammo for now.

I started my FS and Compact with some factory loaded 124gr FMJs (as I do all my new 9s). I can pretty much shoot anything now including cheapo range reloads.

They are pretty stiff when new. A few more boxes should clear it up.

 

[hardluk1]

Seems not to like the geco ammo , Don't use it or try it again after a few hundred rounds . Some ammo may not make the grade for all firearms all the time . Many people like the fact that the slide drops and chambers a round when the mag is changed . I do . Bet it only does it when you drive the mag home not slid in easily. If you ever shoot any match's you will learn to like that feature.

 

[MyDads38]

I've been fortunate not to have the slide go into battery when inserting a new mag into the gun. I wouldn't like it if it did, but that's just my personal feeling.

I just fed a 100 round bulk pack of Federal Champion 115 gr. FMJ through my brand new FS M&P 9 and had no issues at all. I tend to stay with the major ammo brands (Federal, REM-UMC, PMC, Winchester) and have yet to have an issue with feeding/firing/ejection; same with my reloads (115 & 124 gr. plated). I have tried BrassMaxx and it worked fine. Have not tried Perfecta yet, but the new Federal Aluminum case ammo shoots great, both 9mm and 45 auto. I don't shoot steel case ammo in any of my guns, so can't give any info. on those.

Try some of the other ammo available and see what happens. After a few hundred rounds, you could try the Geco ammo again. Good Luck and enjoy your new pistol

 

[kcb38]

First, warm welcome to the Forum.

Thanks Rich. This seems like a pretty helpful bunch of guys here and I appreciate it.

Regarding the auto forwarding, you will find opinions mixed. It does happen. Mine does it. I happen to prefer it.

If I recall correctly, the manual states this may happen if the mag is inserted vigorously. Either way, no, it is not unusual in the least.

I don't really prefer it if it's going to be unpredictable. When it occurred I wasn't being particularly forceful when inserting the mag and it didn't do it every time. Being my first time out with the pistol, I thought that maybe I was hitting the slide release accidentally but that turned to not be the case. I have heard of this happening before though and tried to recreate it by inserting the mag harder to no avail. Then a couple mags later it did it again by itself.

On the FTF, the first thing I would do is disassemble and clean each magazine, then put them back together. I believe the manual says not to lube them.

Yep, did that. The only time I ever lube mags it's with Eeezox dry lube and I didn't even use that this time.

The other thing would be to make sure that you are racking the slide with enthusiasm. It is not meant to be babied. Really give it some oomph when you pull it back.

Yep, did that too especially when I realized it was only the first round out of a mag I was having trouble with. Manual racking and the slide release yielded failures to feed but normal cycling after a shot did not. I thought maybe I was riding the slide a bit so I was conscious not to do it. Unfortunately the result was the same.

Hope it works better on your next range visit.

Thanks, either way I'm sure I get this thing squared away. I hope so anyway because I really like this pistol and was able to shoot very well with it right out of the box.

When the round is jamming, is it nosediving? Or is it partially stuck in the chamber?

It's angled upwards and partially chambered. It seemed almost as if the case lip was catching on something. I'll have to inspect more closely if it happens again.

They are pretty stiff when new. A few more boxes should clear it up.

I hope so. Next time out I'll run WWB through it (it functioned fine with that) or maybe some Fiocchi. That's my favorite range ammo so I hope this pistol doesn't give me trouble with it too.

Seems not to like the geco ammo , Don't use it or try it again after a few hundred rounds .

Agreed. I'll put that back on the shelf for now.

I've been fortunate not to have the slide go into battery when inserting a new mag into the gun.

Honestly I don't like it, especially if it's not going to be consistent.


At any rate, thank you gentlemen for your advice. I hope to get the new toy out again soon. Hopefully it'll behave a little better as it gets broken in.

 

[Llando88]

Kirk, on the auto forwarding, I've heard it might be related to the angle of the pistol from vertical when the mag is inserted.

As a lefty, the pistol butt is generally pointed at my right foot, maybe at 45 degrees, while inserting a mag. So maybe it's different for right handed shooters. I'm not an expert by any stretch.

I re-read your post and missed that you had issues with Geco ammo. As others have said, some ammo seems to feed and some does not. As I mentioned, I've not had any issues with Federal Champion 115 or 124, Winchester White Box in 124, Freedom Munitions (either new or reman) in 124, or Remington Golden Saber Bonded HP 124 +p.

 

[kcb38]

After a little more searching it seems the consensus is that the auto forward happens most frequently with a full mag that is inserted with some authority, with the gun held at an upward angle. That might explain why it was intermittent for me. During my range session I wasn't fully reloading the mags. Sometimes I'd put in 15 rds and sometimes only 10 in my 17 rd mags. I'll have to pay more attention to that next time out. Hopefully the feed issue will imrove as the round count increases. Fingers crossed...

 

[fdw]

Slide moves forward after inserting mag on my 9 and 40. Does not on my 9C. Personally I like it that it does.

 

[Horn]

Geco Ammo

After a little more searching it seems the consensus is that the auto forward happens most frequently with a full mag that is inserted with some authority, with the gun held at an upward angle. That might explain why it was intermittent for me. During my range session I wasn't fully reloading the mags. Sometimes I'd put in 15 rds and sometimes only 10 in my 17 rd mags. I'll have to pay more attention to that next time out. Hopefully the feed issue will imrove as the round count increases. Fingers crossed...

I've fired hundreds of rounds of Geco (124 gr only) in both of my Shield 9 pistols. It's my choice. It's been suggested that European ammo is a bit hotter than our standard___one reason I use it for practice. It's a German company with manufacturing in Switzerland.
You might call CS at S&W. I'll bet they ask you to sent the pistol to them and they'll polish the chamber and maybe the face. Also, when you load the mags, give them a pop against a table top or similar, to make sure each round is in the mag with the cap side against the mag wall.
Good luck with your new pistol and welcome aboard.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-- George Orwell

 

[Muss Muggins]

After a little more searching it seems the consensus is that the auto forward happens most frequently with a full mag that is inserted with some authority, with the gun held at an upward angle. That might explain why it was intermittent for me. During my range session I wasn't fully reloading the mags. Sometimes I'd put in 15 rds and sometimes only 10 in my 17 rd mags. I'll have to pay more attention to that next time out. Hopefully the feed issue will imrove as the round count increases. Fingers crossed...

It's physics . . .

 

[kcb38]

It's been suggested that European ammo is a bit hotter than our standard___one reason I use it for practice.

That's exactly why I have it. It cycles well in my Beretta Nano. Lower powered ammo (at least before break in) did not.

You might call CS at S&W.

Since the round count is so low on this pistol (150) I plan on a putting some more though it before I go that route. I wasn't expecting much of a break in period with this gun (if any) but I don't mind putting a few hundred more through it before calling it defective. If it doesn't clear up in the next range trip or two, I'll be making the call for sure.

 

[AGoyette]

Auto forwarding is pretty normal, especially for polymer guns. My M&P's all do it as did my Steyr and the Springfield I shot on Friday. The husband's 1911 45 acp will even do it once in awhile. Thinking about it, all the guns that have auto forwarded on me were double stack type guns. Maybe it's a double stack thing. ( double stack, were the bullets stagger in the magazine versus one directly on top of the previous bullet. )