Question regarding M&P 40

[dwdlt]

I just got my first SW MP 40 last night. I brought it home and cleaned it to remove the packaging solvent per the instructions.

I had to field strip it, which if I read the manual correctly is taking the slide off the frame, removing the barrel and spring, and then lubricating the 7 points indiciated in the manual.

It went back together just fine, and I followed the instructions to ensure I disengaged the sear...etc.

So, here is the question: When I put a clip in it, no ammo just and emply clip, and I pull back the slide to lock it into the rear position, the barrel is now exposed and it appears to pivot upward slightly... Also, I can move the barrel ever so slightly with my fingers at this point.

It's almost as if the spring is disengaged and the barrel is free floating a little.

Is this normal operation, or am I just a bonehead and messed up my new gun somehow?????

 

[Tom Goodrick]

Yes, that is normal. At first it bothered me a little but some photos in the manual show it like that. If you watch the gun from the side when someone else fires it, You see some strange blurred motion.

The M&P guns should not be dry-fired excessively. Get some caps - dummy cartridges - to use when dry-firing.

Fire several boxes of ammo before you judge the trigger. I've had mine for almost two years. Like fine wine, it gets better with age.

Mine is now a 357 Sig. Converting from .40 cost just $80 for an S&W barrel from Midway and $40 for 357 ammo. It is even better. I have another .40 so I am covered in both calibers.

I will be getting a S&W M&P 22 for cheap practice. i understand there is a lot of similarity.

Your .40 should bring you enjoyment for a long time. Its a quality piece.

 

[Jyezahn]

Working as intended. This is how the barrel must be positioned in order for the slide to move backwards. Don't worry.

 

[dwdlt]

Tom,

Thanks for the reply and clarification. I do appreciate it Sir.

 

[dwdlt]

Working as intended. This is how the barrel must be positioned in order for the slide to move backwards. Don't worry.

Sounds good. Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated

 

[jayman9207]

The M&P guns should not be dry-fired excessively. Get some caps - dummy cartridges - to use when dry-firing.

Why do you say this? I don't see any mention of this from Smith & Wesson and their website says yes you can dry fire all of their weapons except for a handful of 22s. Thanks.

FAQs - Smith & Wesson

 

[growr]

One of my FS .40 M&P's has been dry fired hundreds of thousands of times ......and live fired over 16,000 rounds before the striker assy started giving me light strikes...call to S&S on Monday and I had a replacement at NO CHARGE on Thursday AM...

Randy

 

[JEG247]

Use a snap cap if your worried..it can't hurt.

 

[S&W Rover]

The strikers (black in color) in early M&P's were somewhat prone to fracture when dry-fired, which explains how a reputation developed that M&P's shouldn't be dry-fired. For the past several years at least, S&W has been using a stronger striker (silver in color) in M&P's. Dry-firing is okay.

S&W will replace a black striker with a silver colored one for free, even it it hasn't broken.

Using a snap cap is still a good precaution against damage to the striker, though.

Some pistols apparently are worse than others in terms of dry firing. I believe Ruger says not to dry fire the SR-9/40 without a seated magazine.