new M&P 9 Shield failure to fire

[endust]

Hey folks,

Just got back from the range testing my new M&P 9 Shield and out of 100 rounds had 3 failure to fire on the short mag. I noticed the hammer mark on the failed rounds were off center.

The extended mag posed no problem whatsoever.

Wondering if this is a break in issue or something else I should be concerned about?

Thanks.

 

[Brucenterry]

The first thing I'd try is a different brand of ammo. You may have some hard primers. If that doesn't fix it, I'd consider cleaning the striker channel. If no luck, contact S&W.

Good luck.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

It is surprising how much the cycling rate of new semi-auto guns improve, with more practice with their new gun owners.

 

[endust]

The first thing I'd try is a different brand of ammo. You may have some hard primers. If that doesn't fix it, I'd consider cleaning the striker channel. If no luck, contact S&W.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. Looks like you may be right about hard primers. This is the stuff I was using Cabela's - Herter's Select-Grade Handgun Ammunition customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

Looks like the complaints are consistent about hard primers. I'll have to try some different ammo. Open to suggestions for good yet inexpensive ammo for this gun.

 

[Ranger17]

Thanks for the reply. Looks like you may be right about hard primers. This is the stuff I was using Cabela's - Herter's Select-Grade Handgun Ammunition customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

Looks like the complaints are consistent about hard primers. I'll have to try some different ammo. Open to suggestions for good yet inexpensive ammo for this gun.

For what it's worth, I've used Herters in my compact and full size MP 9's with 0 issue, not yet tried in my new Shield PC 9 though.
For practice ammo, my main 2 rounds in said MP's have been Blazer Brass and Remington UMC 115fmj. Over 2600 rounds with 0 problems. And they can usually be had at good prices. In my first range trip with the new Shield, it ran the Blazer just fine.
I can't speak for specific defensive rounds to use; most of my time is using the target (practice) rounds noted above.

 

[RobzGuns]

WalMart handles Federal Champion (Maroon box) and Winchester White Box (WWB) and both work fine in my Shield.

The Shield should also work with Tulammo (also at WM), but I personally don't care for Steel Cased ammo in my U.S. made handguns.

 

[hoc9sw]

Another round with very hard primers is the ZQI 123g FMJ sometimes seen at Wal-Mart. It runs well in full sized 9's, but I've had issues with it in compact 9's.

 

[hoc9sw]

I would stay with US made ammo during your initial warranty shake-down - use SAAMI spec, so that there is no complaint about type of ammo from Customer Service. Check your warranty book. Not saying they will push back, but they can.

 

[endust]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

 

[Slingn]

Herters ammo is repackaged. I think the x39 is Tula. I've had trouble with that and their 223. I had numerous squibs and FTF with it. So much so that I took what was left back and they actually gave me a full credit for all I bought. The squibs actually left the bullet stuck in the barrel neck. At least the next round didn't fully cycle. That probably saved my gun.