*UPDATE: Solution, post #30* Smith & Wesson M&P Magazine Issues.. Anyone else?

NoRestForTheWicked

NoRestForTheWicked

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*UPDATE: Solution, post #30* Smith & Wesson M&P Magazine Issues.. Anyone else?

Hey everyone,

so Ive been having this issue with my m&p9 where the magazine follower gets stuck up against the slide release and will not drop freely. Ive found online that people have had issues with the magazines fitting tightly in the frame but thats not the case here. The magazines drop free when the slide is closed and also when there are rounds in it, the only time it happens is after it locks back from the last round.

I sent it to Murray Charleton (the warranty dealer) out in BC and he was able to install a new slide stop but he had no replacement followers and it could be months before they get anything ordered from S&W. He said that the issue in the follower which makes sense, but for some reason when I try these mags in a friend's older m&p9 they function fine. Murray was very helpful but Im looking for other opinions. Can anyone chime in on what exactly might be causing this or does anyone have any solutions for it? Do I need new followers or can I somehow modify the ones I have to function properly?
 
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NoRestForTheWicked said:
Hey everyone,

so Ive been having this issue with my m&p9 where the magazine follower gets stuck up against the slide release and will not drop freely. Ive found online that people have had issues with the magazines fitting tightly in the frame but thats not the case here. The magazines drop free when the slide is closed and also when there are rounds in it, the only time it happens is after it locks back from the last round.

I sent it to Murray Charleton (the warranty dealer) out in BC and he was able to install a new slide stop but he had no replacement followers and it could be months before they get anything ordered from S&W. He said that the issue in the follower which makes sense, but for some reason when I try these mags in a friend's older m&p9 they function fine. Murray was very helpful but Im looking for other opinions. Can anyone chime in on what exactly might be causing this or does anyone have any solutions for it? Do I need new followers or can I somehow modify the ones I have to function properly?
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Not to sound like a smart ass, but have you oiled everything on the inside? Two of my mags were a little sticky, same as you've described and I just took the slide off and cleaned/oiled all the metal parts (new to pistols - don't know all the terminology, sorry) and they drop free as good as new. I also put a little oil on the spring/the metal piece that goes into the notch in the magazine.

Did the magazines drop freely before or is it just a new issue?
 
Yeah, I called the US warranty department and they said they couldnt even send the parts to an american address for me to pick up because they would still know the final destination is Canada.. I did place an order with brownell's but the followers are on backorder right now. But according to their policies they will ship these parts to canada.

The gun is completely maintained, that wasnt a problem. This issue had been happening basically since I first got it, the flat part that engages the slide stop was just jumping right past it...
 
NoRestForTheWicked said:
Hey everyone,

so Ive been having this issue with my m&p9 where the magazine follower gets stuck up against the slide release and will not drop freely. Ive found online that people have had issues with the magazines fitting tightly in the frame but thats not the case here. The magazines drop free when the slide is closed and also when there are rounds in it, the only time it happens is after it locks back from the last round.

I sent it to Murray Charleton (the warranty dealer) out in BC and he was able to install a new slide stop but he had no replacement followers and it could be months before they get anything ordered from S&W. He said that the issue in the follower which makes sense, but for some reason when I try these mags in a friend's older m&p9 they function fine. Murray was very helpful but Im looking for other opinions. Can anyone chime in on what exactly might be causing this or does anyone have any solutions for it? Do I need new followers or can I somehow modify the ones I have to function properly?
Click to expand...

Had exactly the same issue, posted on it here and elsewhere. Out of spec followers, the "shelf" that engages the slide stop lobe is too small. Older M&Ps may have larger lobes on the slide stop, so they work fine there (there are at least three generations of the M&P slide stop). Easiest solution is to order replacement followers from Brownells. They are backordered sometimes, but they do come in.

Your retailer should exchange the faulty mags or at least mag followers straight across with some that they have in stock, but for some reason most places seem to want you to go through the hassle of dealing with S&W warranty. Huh. What a surprise. :)

(lame)
 
For others reading this thread, please investigate the legalities of bringing gun parts across the border (from the US to Canada) before doing it yourself. Canadian import restrictions are not the same as US export restrictions.
 
alpining said:
Had exactly the same issue, posted on it here and elsewhere. Out of spec followers, the "shelf" that engages the slide stop lobe is too small. Older M&Ps may have larger lobes on the slide stop, so they work fine there (there are at least three generations of the M&P slide stop). Easiest solution is to order replacement followers from Brownells. They are backordered sometimes, but they do come in.

Your retailer should exchange the faulty mags or at least mag followers straight across with some that they have in stock, but for some reason most places seem to want you to go through the hassle of dealing with S&W warranty. Huh. What a surprise. :)

(lame)
Click to expand...

Well, at least now I know Im not alone! I did a search before posting this thread but I didnt find anything.. hmmm..

As for the retailer switching the magazines for fresh ones, I wish! Would I go through the retailer where I bought the pistol or Murray Charleton in BC? Its funny actually because I bought a 4th mag from SFRC while I was down picking up ammo but they didnt have any in stock so they gave me one from a range kit and just replaced it when the order came in. A friend bought a spare mag from another retailer and he didnt have the same issue. That made me wonder if the issue was only with the magazines in the range kits.
 
alpining said:
For others reading this thread, please investigate the legalities of bringing gun parts across the border (from the US to Canada) before doing it yourself. Canadian import restrictions are not the same as US export restrictions.
Click to expand...

Very true. Luckily followers are among the things we are legally allowed to import. Not technically being a "firearm component" by legal definition last I checked. Ive been told you can bring mags over the border as long as they are within the capacity limits.
 
I've got an M&P40, i haven't had the issues you're talking about.

However i have had issues getting a magazine to stay in the mag well, usually a good slap on it's butt get's it in place and then it stay's there. I've also had the slide not go forward into battery after hitting the slide release and have had to tap it on the back to get it into battery.

This could just be me over oiling the slide when i clean it though? It's a fun gun, and it's not like i can carry it anywhere other than from the bench to the firing line and back again so it doesn't really bother me.
 
Brownells will ship M&P followers with no issues - I had a dozen or so delivered early in the summer, same with springs for the M&P. Someone at the time had the same follower issue the OP is having and I gave him some spare followers, which solved the problem. I think Smith had a batch of out of spec followers.
 
Like I said, I've only heard it from some guys out at the range, I don't have any official reference. I could be wrong but I'll do some research when I get home and correct myself if I'm wrong.

Edit: I misused the expression "last I checked". By that I meant last I heard.
 
enefgee said:
As long as the maker of record (S&W) AND the exporter (Brownells) are both registered with the US State department as exporters, you're golden for mags (10 rounders) and or small components.
Click to expand...

Exactly. If you want to export them yourself (drive across the border), you must have the appropriate permits and documentation.
 
That's the thing, to export them from the US, you would need permission from the ATF. But to import them into Canada is completely legal.

Here is a direct quote from the RCMP website, this is also in response to alpining:

"Authorizations to Import

Currently, an import authorization under Canadian law for firearms or firearm parts that are not prohibited is not required. More information on whether one is required by the laws of the country from where the firearm is being exported is available by contacting DFAIT or the country’s embassy in Canada."

(w w w.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/import-importer-eng.htm)

The problem is that if you were to bring parts back from the US, they would see it as exporting while Canada sees it as importing. So its legal, in the eyes of Canadian law, while not in american law.
 
NoRestForTheWicked said:
Very true. Luckily followers are among the things we are legally allowed to import. Not technically being a "firearm component" by legal definition last I checked. Ive been told you can bring mags over the border as long as they are within the capacity limits.
Click to expand...

You can order 10rd mags from Brownell's and they will ship them to you, no problems as long as the manufacturer is registered with ITAR. But, you cannot bring mags over the border yourself. Unless you do this:


alpining said:
Exactly. If you want to export them yourself (drive across the border), you must have the appropriate permits and documentation.
Click to expand...
 
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