I picked up a S&W M&P 9 Range Kit recently. At first glance, it's great value. You certainly can't go wrong with what you get in this package. I knew from the start that these guns lack the tactile trigger reset that other guns have. I was okay with this because I had already ordered the Apex RAM and the Apex DCAEK to take care of that. Then came range time.
I put a couple of boxes of Wolf reloads down the pipe and it ran flawlessly. It takes a bit of getting used to, having been shooting a heavy CZ for a while, but I liked it so far. However, I couldn't for the life of me get the magazines to drop freely. I though maybe it was because it's brand new and needs a bit of wear, but then somebody else at the range mentioned he was having the same problem with his new M&P.
After a bit of investigating, we've come to determine that the problem might be with the mag followers. It's hard to tell from this terrible cell phone picture, but you might be able to see that there is a very slight difference on the right side edge. The follower on the left is from a new kit. The right edge slightly sloped. The follower on the right is from an older model. The right edge is a nearly perfect 90 degrees.
What's happening is the slide lock/release lever is getting caught on that edge, essentially holding the mag in place. This only happens when at slide lock with an empty magazine. With rounds in the mag, it drops freely because the lever doesn't get caught on the plastic - the round is there to prevent it. So, we've ordered some replacement followers. We're still waiting for them, but I hope we get a good batch of them.
Now, back to the Apex kits. I open the box and immediately start taking apart the gun to get the kits installed. Big question mark on my face. The RAM doesn't fit. I double check pictures and videos for a little while to make sure I'm not going crazy. Then I go to the Apex website and notice a warning stating the RAM kit might not fit some newer models, including the VTAC edition and the 45 calibre model. I should have known not to buy the kit from Brownells. Their site didn't specify this. I suppose it's partly my fault for not having done mre research, but why would I have any reason to doubt them?
So, as it happens, the new M&P 9 comes from the factory not only with newer Sear Housing Block but also with the frame used for the 45 calibre model. Here's a comparison of pictures I grabbed from the web. I can snap pictures of mine when I get home. The SHB on the left is the newer/VTAC model which does not accept the RAM. The one on the right is the old model (this one happens to have the additional safety on it, but can be removed). The frame on the left is the newer/45 with the square plug. The one on the right doesn't have the cut-outs.
Unfortunately, Apex doesn't have a RAM that fits at this time. They were supposed to have one released for the VTAC early this year, but I'm told it wasn't ready and they don't have an ETA. The DCAEK however will still fit, which should still improve the trigger. On the bright side, the VTAC SHB does provide better reset feedback than the old one.
Other than that, I've installed a HiViz front sight on it and will now take it to the range to zero it. I'm crossing my fingers. I was hoping to fall in love with this gun, but so far I'm not impressed. We'll see...
I put a couple of boxes of Wolf reloads down the pipe and it ran flawlessly. It takes a bit of getting used to, having been shooting a heavy CZ for a while, but I liked it so far. However, I couldn't for the life of me get the magazines to drop freely. I though maybe it was because it's brand new and needs a bit of wear, but then somebody else at the range mentioned he was having the same problem with his new M&P.
After a bit of investigating, we've come to determine that the problem might be with the mag followers. It's hard to tell from this terrible cell phone picture, but you might be able to see that there is a very slight difference on the right side edge. The follower on the left is from a new kit. The right edge slightly sloped. The follower on the right is from an older model. The right edge is a nearly perfect 90 degrees.
What's happening is the slide lock/release lever is getting caught on that edge, essentially holding the mag in place. This only happens when at slide lock with an empty magazine. With rounds in the mag, it drops freely because the lever doesn't get caught on the plastic - the round is there to prevent it. So, we've ordered some replacement followers. We're still waiting for them, but I hope we get a good batch of them.
Now, back to the Apex kits. I open the box and immediately start taking apart the gun to get the kits installed. Big question mark on my face. The RAM doesn't fit. I double check pictures and videos for a little while to make sure I'm not going crazy. Then I go to the Apex website and notice a warning stating the RAM kit might not fit some newer models, including the VTAC edition and the 45 calibre model. I should have known not to buy the kit from Brownells. Their site didn't specify this. I suppose it's partly my fault for not having done mre research, but why would I have any reason to doubt them?
So, as it happens, the new M&P 9 comes from the factory not only with newer Sear Housing Block but also with the frame used for the 45 calibre model. Here's a comparison of pictures I grabbed from the web. I can snap pictures of mine when I get home. The SHB on the left is the newer/VTAC model which does not accept the RAM. The one on the right is the old model (this one happens to have the additional safety on it, but can be removed). The frame on the left is the newer/45 with the square plug. The one on the right doesn't have the cut-outs.
Unfortunately, Apex doesn't have a RAM that fits at this time. They were supposed to have one released for the VTAC early this year, but I'm told it wasn't ready and they don't have an ETA. The DCAEK however will still fit, which should still improve the trigger. On the bright side, the VTAC SHB does provide better reset feedback than the old one.
Other than that, I've installed a HiViz front sight on it and will now take it to the range to zero it. I'm crossing my fingers. I was hoping to fall in love with this gun, but so far I'm not impressed. We'll see...
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