Problem with brand new M&P 40c

[xzhync]

Just got a new 40c yesterday. Cleaned thoroughly last night and went to the range earlier today. Brought 100 round box of Walmart wwb with me and bought a 50 round box of fiocchi 170 grain fmj's at the range. Tried the fiocchi's first and the gun would not chamber a round. I tried chambering with the slide lock too, but they wouldn't chamber...no way, no how. I tried the wwb's and they did chamber. I had the range officer try and he could not get the fiocchi's to chamber either. The gun smith there measured the fiocchi's and he said they were within spec. Anyway, I started to fire the wwb's and the did fire, but I kept experiencing a strange phenomenon. On a number of shots it felt like something was bouncing inside the gun. Felt like the slide was bouncing back before going into battery. Again, the feeling didn't happen on every shot, but maybe once or twice per mag. I know that sounds strange, but that is what it felt like...like as the slide was cycling back into battery it bounced backwards momentarily then bounced into battery. Has anyone ever experienced anything like that? After 120 rounds or so the gun seemed to labor more to go into battery fully. Not sure if the problem with clambering the fiocchi's is related to this bouncing feeling. This is a new gun, but I am a not a new shooter. I have owned many semi automatics and currently own a Shield 9mm. Also, I never have had a problem with the smaller Shield and was surprised at this problem. I have never had any limp wrist issues and I have shot many 40 and 45's. I would be interested to hear if anyone has experienced this type of issue. Thanks for reading.

 

[DocSunShine]

It sounds like something wasn't put back together right when you reassembled the gun. Perhaps you put the recoil spring in backwards, that could actually cause both of your issues about the "bouncing around" feeling plus not chambering a round. Strip the gun and double check.

 

[Armed Babysitter]

Paragraphs are your friend.

 

[kris7047th]

Assembly you tube vids are better.

 

[xzhync]

It sounds like something wasn't put back together right when you reassembled the gun. Perhaps you put the recoil spring in backwards, that could actually cause both of your issues about the "bouncing around" feeling plus not chambering a round. Strip the gun and double check.

Thanks. Actually the recoils spring was installed correctly, but thanks for the suggestion. I have been studying the situation and I am starting to think the problem is with one of the mags.

My gun came with a 10 round and a 15 round mag. When I thought about it, most (maybe all) the problems occurred with the 10 round mag. Tonight I examined both mags and found that the mag springs are identical in both mags...in other words, same length and number of coils. So, the tension in the 10 round mag is noticeably higher. The gun struggles to strip off a round, especially as the spring expands.

With 5 or less rounds in the mag, I notice that the round dips as it exits the mag and the front edge of the case rim catches on the front edge of the mag. I am going to go back to the dealer and discuss with them tomorrow. Sure seems like the spring lengths should be different between a 10 round and a 15 round mag.

 

[Broil]

xzhync ... I just ordered a 40c but comes with 2 10 rounder mags....does your 15 round mag fit flat at the 40c base? Good thing about S&W is that they have a no-hassle warranty....

 

[DocSunShine]

xzhync ... I just ordered a 40c but comes with 2 10 rounder mags....does your 15 round mag fit flat at the 40c base? Good thing about S&W is that they have a no-hassle warranty....

I think the 40c's that come with the 15 round mag have the X-grip (I think that's what it's called?).

 

[xzhync]

I think the 40c's that come with the 15 round mag have the X-grip (I think that's what it's called?).

Yes, it came with the x-grip, although it does have the M&P logo on it.

 

[xzhync]

I am still having a problem with my 40c. I haven't had any failures per se, but I am still feeling that bounce with the slide as it returns to battery. Doesnt occur on every shot and mainly seems to happen with the 10 round mag. It feels like a bounce, but it may actually be more of a lag in the slide movement that causes a feeling of the slide kind of laboring to go into battery, although it always does. I can almost see the slide moving that last few millimeters as it returns to battery. That tells me that at that point the slide has slowed down quite a bit...lost a fair amount of inertia, in other words?

It kind of feels like if you were to hold the gun while empty and push your hand/gun forward as hard as you can. You would feel (at least I feel) the slide move slightly backward on the frame momentarily then return to battery. The inertia moves the slide backward slightly against the frame.

I talked to the smith at the range and he said something about the short barrel 40's of all manufactures are subject to this effect. He said maybe I am gripping the gun too firmly which doesn't allow enough muzzle flip...not sure that made sense to me, but maybe there is a correlation there.

Has anyone experienced this sensation with a 40c? I have a 9mm shield and have never had this happen. Could the recoil spring be too strong or not strong enough?

Even though the gun hasn't failed, it just feels like the cycle timing is off. Even though there is no failure it feels like the gun is not far off from a failure to return to battery.

I will probably send it back to S&W soon for them to evaluate. I am concerned that they will fire a few rounds and say everything is ok.

 

[DocSunShine]

Sorry you're having problems, that sucks. Sounds like a magazine issue, I'd probably buy another magazine first (10 round) if it works, then keep the old/bad mag labeled call S&W and I bet they make it right by sending you a new mag.

The 40C is really a great gun, I hope you get it figured out, if not I'm sure Smith will.

 

[xzhync]

Sorry you're having problems, that sucks. Sounds like a magazine issue, I'd probably buy another magazine first (10 round) if it works, then keep the old/bad mag labeled call S&W and I bet they make it right by sending you a new mag.

The 40C is really a great gun, I hope you get it figured out, if not I'm sure Smith will.

I forgot to mention that I already replaced the 10 rounder that came with the gun. The store that sold me the gun swapped out the mag. I had thought it was a mag issue, so they swapped out mags. Unfortunately, the problem exists the same amount with the new mag.

I told the range gunsmith about how it seemed that the problem was more noticeable with the 10 round mag (vs. the 15 rounder). He said that I was probably getting a better grip with the longer mag. Not sure I agree. I get all 3 fingers on either mag as the 10 rounder has the finger extension. He then said maybe I need to put more rounds through it. I have over 400 rounds through it so far...should be broken in by now, but the problem is just as prevalent as it was in the first hundred rounds.

I just ordered a new recoil guide rod assembly from midway. I will see if that makes a difference. Unless the current spring is defective I can't see that I have shot enough rounds to wear out the spring. It is kind of perplexing. The gun just doesn't feel right to shoot, but it may be tough to diagnose.

With the gunsmith saying that I may be gripping to tightly it made me thihi that he is saying that I am doing the opposite of limp-wristing. Is there such a thing as 'firm-wristing'?

 

[Desertpilot]

If the weapon is new (check the test fire date on the enclosed shell) with these problems, you should call S&W and send it back to the factory. A defensive carry weapon must instill confidence in you that it will always work. In my opinion, wrist action, stance, etc., is all about accuracy and not about making the weapon actually fire.

I purchased mine about 3 weeks ago. Test fire date was in June 2012. I use Speer Lawman TMJ 180 gr practice ammo and gold dot HP protection ammo. All have fired flawlessly (200 rounds so far).

Marcus

 

[bronco45]

Let your gunsmith shoot it and see what he thinks.

 

[xzhync]

Good idea. I will stop back and let the gunsmith put some rounds through it. Also thought about renting a 40c to see if it could be me. If a rental doesn't display the same issue then it is probably my 40c.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...take a look at where the top of the barrel locks into the slide...maybe a burr or rough spot causing a hesitation in the lock up...