?: regarding my new M&P 9mm

[greyhoundrick]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the continued help and expertise!

Im literally brand new to gun ownership (we just picked up my new M&P 9mm this evening). I apologize for the simplistic nature of these questions, but i wanted to check with you folks about some things with the gun. I have shot this model twice before with an instructor. My next trip to the range will be the first time on my own. Thanks in advance for helping me with this.

#1. When i pull the slide back and release it with the magazine NOT inserted the slide will return to its previous position as i release it. If i push up on the slide stop the slide will not return to its original position but will lock open.

#2. When i insert the empty magazine and pull the slide back i notice that the slide will stop as it did in #1 even without my pushing up on the slide stop. If i want the slide to continue forward i need to pull down on the slide stop.

Question #1. With a loaded magazine inserted, when the slide is pulled back does the slide return to shooting position after i release it or do i have to hold the slide stop down to allow the slide to move all the way forward as i had to in #2 above?

Question #2. Ive noticed when the slide is open and locked by the slide stop (gun empty) that the barrel is somewhat loose and can be wiggled easily. Is this normal?

Again, i apologize for these questions being so rudimentary but i really don't know as i am brand new. Thanks for helping me. It is greatly appreciated.

best to you all,

rick

 

[modraker]

There are many knowledgeable people in this forum but they haven't replied yet so here goes:

Reply to Question #1: You don't have to hold the slide stop down when the the magazine is loaded. The plastic follower in the magazine is what activates the slide stop when the magazine is empty.

Reply to Question #2: When the slide is locked back, the barrel will be loose. This is normal.

 

[Aircrewman]

Hi Rick.
When the magazine is in and loaded and the slide is locked back, all you have to do is release the slide lock and the slide will go forward, pickup the round from the magazine and go into "battery." This means it is ready to fire. If the slide is not locked back and you insert the magazine you will pull the slide back and release it immediately and the slide will pick up the round, go forward, load the chamber as noted (go into battery) and you are ready to fire.

For #2: the barrel will be loose and rattle around a bit because it is not locked in the slide as it is while loaded.... It is perfectly normal format to be as you describe. As a matter of fact it should do this !

When you load an empty mag into the gun with the slide forward and then pill the slide back it should lock back. That is the magazine "follower" doing it's job...meaning that if you were shooting the gun and the slide locks back like that, you are out of ammunition. The follower engages the slide stop and locks the slide back. This is perfectly normal and, again, must do this to assure you that the magazine, mag follower, slide stop are all working correctly.

Hope this helps. Always, always ask questions, even what you think are rudimentary. We all want new shooters to succeed.

 

[jlegnor]

For your first time shooting alone, just remember to be safe!

ALWAYS keep your finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
AWAYS keep the gun pointed down range towards the targets when loading, or unloading your pistol.

 

[greyhoundrick]

I can't thank you great folks enough for your expertise, hospitality and understanding. It really makes a new shooter feel welcomed and i hope someday to return the favor to a new member.

Can you tell me if i should clean my pistol before firing it the first time? I thought i had read that it is a good idea based on the treatment from the factory but wanted to substantiate that with you.

Also, i have to admit. When i clean my pistol for the first time i will be apprehensive about getting it back together correctly. I plan on using YouTube videos to learn and being very careful and taking my time disassembling and re-assembling the pistol. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Best to you and thanks so much,

rick

 

[MichiganScott]

Clean and lube the pistol in accordance to the directions in the owner's manual before shooting it.

Please note that the proper way to release the slide when loading the handgun is to pull the slide all the way to the rear and let it snap forward. Riding the slide forward will cause malfunctions. The slide lock is not really designed as a "slide release" on these pistols as it is on a 1911.

 

[epj]

Not really the preferable way to release a 1911 slide either. They also benefit from "slingshoting".

 

[Aircrewman]

Rick, do a quick clean... By that, I mean clean the gun by removing any kind of grunge or crud and make sure that the barrel is free from ANY obstructions. Lubricate the slide rails as noted by MichiganScott as per instructions in manual. Don't slather the lubemon, just make sure the frame rails have good lube, some kind of gun grease preferably, and the barrel end at the muzzle and at the rear at the top end at where the hood of the barrel meets the slide. All this is noted n the manual. The M&P is very easy to take down for routine maintainence and you won't have any trouble. Good luck! Have fun!

 

[Atticaz]

To go along with:

ALWAYS keep your finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
AWAYS keep the gun pointed down range towards the targets when loading, or unloading your pistol

Always treat it as if its loaded, even when it's not.

Also, when you unload it, remove the magazine first. Then, rack the slide and look in the chamber, to ensure it is clear.

I've heard many stories of negligent discharges from accidentally doing this in reverse, by not paying close attention, in the beginning of their gun ownership.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Rick I'd suggest you invest in some snap caps. I'd advise you to video yourself handling the gun during the loading and unloading process. This will ensure you are not pointing it at yourself. That's probably the biggest thing to remember when shooting alone: Never point the gun at yourself. Ever. I'd suggest you find a knowledgable friend to go with you for your first few trips to the range. Be safe and take your time. Don't get in a hurry when shooting or manipulating the gun. Avoid distractions.

 

[Kadonny]

Since you are brand new to guns, I'd suggest you read up on how automatic pistols work with relation to the magazines, slides, loaded, unloaded etc. Do this before you even think about going to the range or shooting live ammo. You need to understand fully how the gun works, it's crucial to safe handling and use of the gun. Also, take it apart and reassemble it many times so you understand how that works too.

Good luck with it, you got a great gun.

 

[greyhoundrick]

Again, many thanks to all for the expertise and direction. Very important information!

Yes, i will be very careful, take my time and also will remember to be informed before i take my pistol for the first time. The next time i go will be the third time i will have shot this model but my first time without an instructor. Im going to shoot the same way i did in class. Take my time, pay attention, and always keep the gun pointed down range and my finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

Another question for you:

If i encounter a jam i understand that the best thing to do is to tap, rack and try to shoot again. However, i can't remember exactly what it was, but i remember reading that sometimes doing this can cause major problems.

Would you suggest that if the gun jams that i drop the magazine, rack it and inspect the barrel or best to just let a professional look at it immediately?

Thanks again for helping me.

best always,

rick

 

[Dirty-Sun]

Wait 30 seconds and keep it pointed down range. Then eject the magazine and rack the slide.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

[shawn mccarver]

It sounds to me like everything is working as it should. Empty magazine will lock the slide back, requiring that the slide lock be lowered before the slide can move forward. A full magazine will not lock the slide back and does not require that you hold the slide lock down in order to let the slide go forward. Instead, if you have a magazine with any rounds in it and you want to lock the slide back, you have to push the slide lock up when pulling the slide back. The barrel wiggle is normal when the slide is locked back.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Gunhacker]

Rick, where about are you located? If you're local to me, I for one, would be pleased to meet you at a range to help show you the ropes.

 

[greyhoundrick]

Rick, where about are you located? If you're local to me, I for one, would be pleased to meet you at a range to help show you the ropes.

Conrad, thanks so much for the generous offer. We live in Phoenix but used to live in Northern Nevada and visited the Bay Area quite often (great place!). If we ever get back up that way we would love to meet up with you and have you help us learn!

Thanks again for the offer and best to you always,

rick

 

[USMarine1989]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the continued help and expertise!

Im literally brand new to gun ownership (we just picked up my new M&P 9mm this evening). I apologize for the simplistic nature of these questions, but i wanted to check with you folks about some things with the gun. I have shot this model twice before with an instructor. My next trip to the range will be the first time on my own.
rick

Rick, everyone here have given you very good sound advice. As a LEO and Firearms Instructor Clean your weapon. Go to your local gun range and hang out with a Firearms Instructor, if you take a CCW or CWP class ask a lot of questions. You've taken a great responsibility of a gun owner. Get the training you need and the answers you seek, and enjoy your M&P.

 

[rwsmith]

The loose barrel

Note that when the slide moves forward the bushing tightens around the end of the barrel and holds it steady.

Some pistol barrels visibly tip upward when the gun is fired and the slide moves back and that is normal for those guns. Seems weird but that's the way it works. If you look at animations of this happening it's easier to understand.

When you get to the range by yourself. Pointed downrange practice loading, unloading, racking etc to get really familiar with how your pistol works so as not to be surprised.

 

[greyhoundrick]

Thanks so much for the great input everyone.

Ive taken my new pistol apart and cleaned it and re-assembled it a few times. I try to dry shoot it about 20 times a day and i feel like its something I'm more familiar with now than when i first got it.

I do have a question for you regarding the re-assembly of the pistol. In a YouTube video i watched the gentleman said that when you are done cleaning and re-assemblying the pistol that when you put the slide back on the rails that if you return the slide all the way back and lock it with the slide stop that the take down lever will automatically move back up to its parallel position. When i did it it did not. I had to physically move the take down lever back from a vertical position to horizontal myself (it snapped back into place easily). I think this is ok, but since I'm a little apprehensive at this stage and respect what I'm working with, i want to make 100% sure I'm doing everything correctly.

Thanks again for helping me. Very much appreciated.

best to you all,

rick

 

[Bkreutz]

Thanks so much for the great input everyone.

Ive taken my new pistol apart and cleaned it and re-assembled it a few times. I try to dry shoot it about 20 times a day and i feel like its something I'm more familiar with now than when i first got it.

I do have a question for you regarding the re-assembly of the pistol. In a YouTube video i watched the gentleman said that when you are done cleaning and re-assemblying the pistol that when you put the slide back on the rails that if you return the slide all the way back and lock it with the slide stop that the take down lever will automatically move back up to its parallel position. When i did it it did not. I had to physically move the take down lever back from a vertical position to horizontal myself (it snapped back into place easily). I think this is ok, but since I'm a little apprehensive at this stage and respect what I'm working with, i want to make 100% sure I'm doing everything correctly.

Thanks again for helping me. Very much appreciated.

best to you all,

rick

If you were "easy" with the slide installation and just went to the slide lock, it may not rotate the lever, however if you firmly move the slide all the way to the rear the lever will snap up. Can't baby these things.