My M&P9c is dropping mags

[Honor Bound]

Today I went to the range with my M&P 9c. I wanted to practice reloads and firing with my new 17 round magazine. As I was shooting with the new magazine, I took notice that because of the extended grip area created by the longer magazine, my grip on the pistol changed slightly compared to the shorter mags. My long skinny hands liked the feel of the new mag and I was shooting some nice groups.

After a short while I was stunned to feel the magazine drop loose from inside the frame as I was firing the pistol. This had never happened to me before with this or any other pistol. Then it happened again and again. At first I thought my new grip was positioning my right thumb too close to the mag release and I was hitting it as the gun fired. I made a specific effort to keep my fingers and thumbs away from the release and continued shooting. It still continued to happen again and again. This was quite concerning, considering this is my primary fair weather carry gun.

So I set the 17 rd mag aside and continued to shoot with my 12 rd mags, still focusing on my finger placement in relation to the mag release. Over the next 100 rnds, my smaller mag actually dropped out once, but I’m not convinced that it wasn’t due to one of my modified grip variations as I tried to investigate the previous malfunction.

I can only suspect that the extra weight of the full capacity magazine on the compact frame in addition to the force on the gun as it fires causes the mag to force it’s way out of it's locked position.


I plan to return to the range next week to continue to address this issue. Now I’m back to carrying my P-229 until my M&P is proven dependable.

Has anyone ever dealt with this? Any comments?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[G33]

Call S&W.
1. Magwell too large.
2. bad mag release.
3. thumb or if left hand shooter, did you switch the mag release to other side?
:supergrin:

[fastbolt]

Was your MP9c produced back before last Fall?

S&W discovered there was an issue with some magazine catches received from a vendor. The metal insert in the affected magazine catches was apparently not hardened properly and would become worn/rounded rather quickly, releasing the magazine during recoil. As I recall being told, the affected magazine catches had a 'plain' stainless metal insert and the replacement catches had a black finished insert. (The finish may change from time to time in the future, but that was how they said to identify a potential problem magazine catch at the time a while ago.)

I also heard of a few early production guns which may have had a tolerance issue regarding the grip frame itself, but I thought that was recognized and resolved almost right after the first models were being released.

Don't discount a potential shooter-involved issue, either, as some folks have reported that their thumbs exerted pressure against the magazine catch (during recoil) because of the size and shape of their hands.

Bottom line?

Call S&W (800 331-0852; the ext for customer service is 2904#). They're fairly easy to work with on warranty matters.

They'll either send you a freight-paid shipping label so the gun can be returned to them for repair, or, if you think you can replace it yourself they may just offer to send you the current part.

[Quiet]

Bottom line?

Call S&W (800 331-0852; the ext for customer service is 2904#). They're fairly easy to work with on warranty matters.

Do what he said.

The most common defect on the M&P series is what you described.

[Honor Bound]

Thanks fastbolt.

Yes, I bought my M&P last spring. You called it.

I just talked to Joe at S&W customer service and the new part is on its way. He didn't even ask about a serial number or anything. Just sent it, no questions asked.

I must say that I have really enjoyed this little pistol. I love the large palm swell. It’s so nice to shoot.

I'll report back once I get it installed.

[fastbolt]

De Nada.

Enjoy.

[Honor Bound]

The new piece arrived Sat. Installed in seconds. Thanks S&W!

Looks like the problem is solved.

Headed to the range for an OPTEST sometime this week.