M&P slide issue

[Hersh]

Tonight I started to clean my 9mm and found this crack.







The last cleaning was a couple months ago and I didn't notice any evidence of this crack. All I shoot are factory loads and the gun is used for 2-3 IDPA matches per month.

Smith customer service will be my first call tomorrow morning. What do you guys think?

[Hersh]

John,

You're right! I found Todd's thread about the crack and mine is exactly like his. https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=14060&page=7

The prefix on this one is MPP844xx. I bought it used and have probably put at least 1500 rounds through it.

[ToddG]

Hersh -- That serial prefix places the gun's build prior to a manufacturing change which was intended to improve the durability at that point. While the crack isn't common in earlier guns, certain guns (depending on exactly how new the cutting tool was when it made the slide rails) are more susceptible than others.

Of course, there are other things that can cause slide cracks. For example, dropping the gun while the slide is locked back can put a lot of stress on that point assuming the gun lands in just the right (or rather wrong) orientation. With a used gun, you've really got no idea what may have led to that area getting weakened.

While it certainly never inspires confidence to see a crack like that, I can tell you two things:

1. On my test gun, even after the crack, the gun still performed 100% and was even capable of sub-2" groups at 25yd.
2. S&W will pay the shipping both ways for you to return the gun & and they will replace the slide without any fanfare.

You'll be without your M&P for 2 weeks or so.

[Looey]

Hersh
If you dont mind me asking, about how many rounds did you have thru the gun? how often did you clean it?

[Hersh]

Todd,

Thanks for the input! The gun hasn't been dropped on my watch and it was pristine when I bought it from a friend so this is probably a fluke. I've got a call in to S&W and will post back with updates.

Looey,

Usually I clean the gun after every match, but I had let that slip recently. There had probably been 300 or so rounds fired since the last cleaning. Total rounds since I've owned the gun ... approximately 1500.

[Irish]

Rather than using the S&W e-mail system I would recommend calling 800-331-0852 and they will e-mail you a shipping label.

[Looey]

Todd,

Thanks for the input! The gun hasn't been dropped on my watch and it was pristine when I bought it from a friend so this is probably a fluke. I've got a call in to S&W and will post back with updates.

Looey,

Usually I clean the gun after every match, but I had let that slip recently. There had probably been 300 or so rounds fired since the last cleaning. Total rounds since I've owned the gun ... approximately 1500.

I am actually surprised that this is a little common, Thank you for the info.

[John_Wayne777]

Todd,

Thanks for the input! The gun hasn't been dropped on my watch and it was pristine when I bought it from a friend so this is probably a fluke. I've got a call in to S&W and will post back with updates.

Looey,

Usually I clean the gun after every match, but I had let that slip recently. There had probably been 300 or so rounds fired since the last cleaning. Total rounds since I've owned the gun ... approximately 1500.

Well don't feel like a lack of cleaning caused this...it was a manufacturing defect. Your M&P should be able to go hundreds of rounds without cleaning easily.

[LonghunterCO]

Your M&P should be able to go hundreds of rounds without cleaning easily.

I completed Magpul Dynamics Handgun 1&2 in Pubelo CO last month. Ended up at the class with a New M&P (only 250-300 rounds through it prior to class). Cleaned it up prior to class. Went through the class (around 1600-1800 rounds) only oiling the 5 points (specified in the manual) with CLP on mornings of day 2 and 3. Had one double feed on the third to the last round of class. I think that it was a round of 9mm Blazer brass (I had about 200 rounds of it in the bottom of the can).

[Hersh]

Well don't feel like a lack of cleaning caused this...it was a manufacturing defect. Your M&P should be able to go hundreds of rounds without cleaning easily.

Yeah I can't imagine this is anything but a defect.

This afternoon I called S&W and kept winding up in their voice mail system so I left a message and also sent an email. We're almost into the holiday weekend so my guess is it will be next week before anything happens.