SLIDE NOT RETURNING TO BATTERY

[jakobobel]

I picked up this M&P performance center 2.0 metal (Competitor) 2 days ago. Its brand new. I took it shooting yesterday and experienced a misfire twice, firing pin not making contact with the primer. I realized the slide wasn't going back in to place completley leaving about a quarter inch of the slide still drawn back. I sat there for an hour loading mags in my house and just racking them. Realizing I have to pull and release unrealistically hard to get it to go into battery on the first pull, somthing that my girlfrends m&p compact does not experience at all. Anyone else had this issue with their competitor? I did add a little more lube to the slide last night and it made no difference.

 

[Longone]

What ammo are you using? Have you cleaned the barrel/chamber?

 

[cracker57]

Did you only use one type of ammo or did you try a bunch of different ammo, what ammo did you try.
Not pointing fingers but any chance of limp wrist?
if Winchester white box try different ammo.

 

[jakobobel]

Did you only use one type of ammo or did you try a bunch of different ammo, what ammo did you try.
Not pointing fingers but any chance of limp wrist?
if Winchester white box try different ammo.

It happens with any type of ammo, I did have a misfire with Winchester white box but that was a dud so i wint be using that anymore, is there a specific type of ammo these guns need? No It is not limp wrist im saying when I use my hand I have to slide it unreasonably hard to get it into battery. These slides are supposed to be super smooth because the frame is metal.

 

[jakobobel]

What ammo are you using? Have you cleaned the barrel/chamber?

I haven't cleaned barrel, its only on initial slide, it dosnt go into battery manually sometimes. I know you're thinking just slide it harder, but its ridiculous how hard I actually have to I know its not right. These slides are supposed to be smooth because the frame is metal.

 

[Saudade]

<snip> Realizing I have to pull and release unrealistically hard to get it to go into battery on the first pull, somthing that my girlfrends m&p compact does not experience at all. Anyone else had this issue with their competitor? I did add a little more lube to the slide last night and it made no difference.

Are you riding the slide forward? Just pull back until the slide catch drops then release the slide and let 'er go!! Is it just the 1st round after a mag swap?

 

[jakobobel]

I belive im sliding it correctly but im taking it out again today to do some tests, now that im aware of the issue I am really gonna focus on slamming that first round in and not riding the slide forward. There was lots of rounds just cycling through last night that I truly felt like should have racked in there and didn't but it could be me! Im definitely not shoving that possibility off the table. Im just used to guns that don't need that extra attention when racking the first round in.

 

[Saudade]

In my own experience, new guns can exhibit this issue. Clear the weapon (no rounds, no mags, from "in battery", pull the slide back about a inch (like doing a press check). Ease the slide forward (do not push). It may "hang up" slightly out of battery. This is where the locking lug begins the slide up the locking block, push the barrel into the port to lock the barrel. With a round in it (try with a snap cap, not live round unless at the range) the rim needs to slide across the breech and under the extractor. All of this adds a bit of friction and can be more than the spring force from the recoil spring can overcome to fully seat in battery.

A "slingshot" release allows the slide/barrel to have enough momentum to carry the whole thing into battery.

My Shield (1.0) was pretty bad like this when new until I had a few hundred rounds through it. Pull it back just until the barrel unlocks, let go, and it would just sit there. Could easily push it forward to fully lock but you could feel the resistance.

Some good clean lube helps too.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Uh... Aren't most slides metal...?

Cheers!

 

[Beju]

Just to rule things out, have you made sure that the top exterior of the barrel is lubricated?

 

[TX-Dennis]

New pistols sometimes need a bit of break in before they function reliably. When loading a new magazine pull that slide back as far as it will go and let go. Let it slam forward. This is the way semi autos are intended to be racked. Babying it is unnecessary and counterproductive.

And, yes, Winchester white box is poor quality ammo. Better than their rimfire, but still not terrific. Almost anything else is better. Once it's broken in the WWB will probably work okay, but it would be the last ammo I would choose - only if everything else is sold out.

 

[hardluk1]

I belive im sliding it correctly but im taking it out again today to do some tests, now that im aware of the issue I am really gonna focus on slamming that first round in and not riding the slide forward. There was lots of rounds just cycling through last night that I truly felt like should have racked in there and didn't but it could be me! Im definitely not shoving that possibility off the table. Im just used to guns that don't need that extra attention when racking the first round in.

As a last resort Let a season semi-auto shooting buddy give it a try . First off two word you have not linked together . Well cleaned and lubed before ever shooting a shot ! I've never had any of our 5 M&P pistols fail to function reliably . For you to say - You believe your "sliding it" correctly leave me at least feeling your not really experienced with center fire semi-auto handguns . After you mention how you had to use undo force or slam the slide into battery leaves me feeling like your lacking experience . So maybe you can explain what undo force is ? Banging the slide on a wood bench would be undo force . Pulling back to slide letting it rap out of your grasp could be considered normal too .

I tend to s l o w l y or with control chamber a first cartridge from a mag with no issues . After that I let the slide fly as designed by ether pressing down on the slide release AKA slide stop or pull back and let go as I have done with 1911's since '76.

Think about how your slide moves when firing ammo . It's not moving slowly or softly during practice time is it . But when no ammo is in the handgun move the slide slowly ..

 

[jakobobel]

In my own experience, new guns can exhibit this issue. Clear the weapon (no rounds, no mags, from "in battery", pull the slide back about a inch (like doing a press check). Ease the slide forward (do not push). It may "hang up" slightly out of battery. This is where the locking lug begins the slide up the locking block, push the barrel into the port to lock the barrel. With a round in it (try with a snap cap, not live round unless at the range) the rim needs to slide across the breech and under the extractor. All of this adds a bit of friction and can be more than the spring force from the recoil spring can overcome to fully seat in battery.

A "slingshot" release allows the slide/barrel to have enough momentum to carry the whole thing into battery.

My Shield (1.0) was pretty bad like this when new until I had a few hundred rounds through it. Pull it back just until the barrel unlocks, let go, and it would just sit there. Could easily push it forward to fully lock but you could feel the resistance.

Some good clean lube helps too.

Most helpful comment on here thank you. I think its an m&p thing. Probably just comes along with the break in period!

 

[jakobobel]

As a last resort Let a season semi-auto shooting buddy give it a try . First off two word you have not linked together . Well cleaned and lubed before ever shooting a shot ! I've never had any of our 5 M&P pistols fail to function reliably . For you to say - You believe your "sliding it" correctly leave me at least feeling your not really experienced with center fire semi-auto handguns . After you mention how you had to use undo force or slam the slide into battery leaves me feeling like your lacking experience . So maybe you can explain what undo force is ? Banging the slide on a wood bench would be undo force . Pulling back to slide letting it rap out of your grasp could be considered normal too .

I tend to s l o w l y or with control chamber a first cartridge from a mag with no issues . After that I let the slide fly as designed by ether pressing down on the slide release AKA slide stop or pull back and let go as I have done with 1911's since '76.

Think about how your slide moves when firing ammo . It's not moving slowly or softly during practice time is it . But when no ammo is in the handgun move the slide slowly ..

Me saying I slide my gun leads you to belive im inexperienced? No this is my first m&p though! I've shot many guns. Especially if you "slowly chamber your furst round" you should understand the issue. No i do not have to slam my firearm against a table. I do however have to practice a slingshot rack every time if I even attempt anything less it gets stuck, somthing I've never experienced with any other brand of handgun and I reached out to the forum to see if others had the same issue (they do)

 

[Saudade]

Yeah, it will "break in". My Shield now slides into battery after a press check with no binding/hanging up.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Clean it, shoot it.
Clean it, shoot it, etc.

 

[jakobobel]

Yeah, it will "break in". My Shield now slides into battery after a press check with no binding/hanging up.

Thanks man, reassuring to know its not just me

 

[Oil Field Trash]

Had same problem with M&P 2.0 in 9mm. Tested with swapping slides, magazines, 5 different types of ammo, lubed it, serious lubed it, nothing corrected it. Sent it to SW warranty, waited 6-7 weeks to get it back, same problem existed. Sent it back to SW warranty, waited 8 weeks this time and it came back with paperwork "replaced barrel". Ran like a top after two trips back. SW has had some QA/QC issues here lately. Save time and frustration, let them fix it

 

[s&wchad]

A few thoughts...
Never ride the slide forward.

S&W calls the lever a slide stop, not a slide release. They do that for a reason.

When loading, pull the slide back and let it move forward under spring tension. NEVER ease it forward.

 

[jakobobel]

Had same problem with M&P 2.0 in 9mm. Tested with swapping slides, magazines, 5 different types of ammo, lubed it, serious lubed it, nothing corrected it. Sent it to SW warranty, waited 6-7 weeks to get it back, same problem existed. Sent it back to SW warranty, waited 8 weeks this time and it came back with paperwork "replaced barrel". Ran like a top after two trips back. SW has had some QA/QC issues here lately. Save time and frustration, let them fix it

Hey thanks man, i really appreciate the reply. Everyone on here just says im inexperienced and don't know how to rack a bullet