Questions About 9mm M&P

[thorak2950]

Hi, I have several questions I thought would be appropriate to ask here. They concern a Smith & Wesson 9mm w/ambidextrous safety levers and slide releases.

1) Is it safe to dry fire? I've heard it may be on some firearms but don't know enough about S&W to know whether it contributes to overall wear and tear or if it's safe.

2) I've been told I have to push down the sear lever pin inside the action (the second silver pin down) to disassemble. First of all, the sear pin has not come back up - it seems to stay in its down position. Obviously the firearm is still capable of being disassembled by locking the slide back, rotating the take down lever, releasing the slide, and pulling the trigger. Is the sear deactivation lever just a way of disassembling without pulling the trigger? Does this matter?

3) Can anyone recommend a non-attachment (grip) laser? I've been told by Gander that they cannot mount CrimsonTrace because of the ambidextrous safety... though CrimsonTrace is installed in the grip - was the man I spoke with incorrect? Are there alternatives?

Thanks,

 

[OKFC05]

1. Yes, you can dry fire it.
2. Put a magazine in the gun and cycle the slide; the gun will be ready to go with the sear lever elevated to operate position.

 

[BLee]

I just bought the M&P 9c in Jan.
I am not for sure about the dry fire but I would recommend a snap cap if nothing else.
As far as the sear goes, I have broken my gun down 3 times since buying and my sear always returns to normal position once the mag is replaced in gun.
I just saw in my natchez catalog they offer a Laserlyte rear laser sight for the MP $139.95

 

[Chris A.]

1. Yes, you can dry fire it.
2. Put a magazine in the gun and cycle the slide; the gun will be ready to go with the sear lever elevated to operate position.

You can also physically put the sear lever back after you replace the slide during reassembly. If you forget to do that, putting in a magazine takes care of it anyway.

 

[thorak2950]

I have put in an empty mag and racked the slide several times, the sear pin doesn't seem to jump back out (only that top pin is visible).

 

[firebirdude]

Since everyone pretty much answered your other questions,

One of the more highly regarded lasers is made by Viridian. My father has one for his Taurus 24/7 (although they're just rail mounted obviously). It worked well for about 5-6 range days. Now it randomly kicks on and off when the gun fires. We've done all we can to ensure the batteries were fresh, remaining in contact, and the battery door was secure. It's simply malfunctioning. For the outrageous price they charge for a Viridian laser, I'd expect MUCH more from them.

EDIT: Sorry. I thought you meant a rail mounted laser versus grip.

 

[thorak2950]

I have put in an empty mag and racked the slide several times, the sear pin doesn't seem to jump back out (only that top pin is visible).

Just noticed apparently I'm supposed to use the grip tool to pull the lever OUT, maybe I'll try that

And more importantly why does it matter if I can still disassemble by pulling the trigger?

As for mounted attachments, Streamlight's TLR-3 has proved impeccable. It's a 90-lumen flashlight (w/strobe function) and laser in-one attachment that fits on ARs and should fit well on M&P rails. But I've been asking for a grip mount (SERAP holster carry).

 

[mittenzon]

thorak,
Have you read the S& W Safety & Instruction Manual that came with the gun?

Field Stripping Disassembly, pg. 20.
Field Stripping Assembly, pg.23.

 

[thorak2950]

Got it to work w/out trigger pull.

I did a while back, but don't remember if giving a reason for one way vs the other... mind sharing?