The Straight Skinny on M&P Frame Sag?

[ChicagoTex]

Since this appears to be the de facto forum for serious S&W M&P enthusiasts I thought I'd pose the question: is frame sag like this:

http://www.novaksights.com/images/sights/s&w%20m&p/swmpslidew.jpg
(note, not my pic, used without permission)

Normal for M&Ps? I've heard conflicting stories. Some have told me it only comes up on the M&P .45, others have told me their 9s had it, I even encountered one guy who told me his M&P9 developed sag, so he sent it to S&W who replaced the frame and THAT one sagged aswell.

I know it may sound silly to some of you, since this doesn't really present a functional problem, but this is a key reason I've been hesitant to buy an M&P - so what's the story on this?

Is it normal? Is it common? Is it only on certain models? Was it a problem that's since been corrected? and, if you know, what causes it?

Thanks in advance, looking forward to hearing from some of you M&P gurus.

[Alex F]

That doesn't look like sag, that looks like a cracked/broken frame which has been bent down.

http://www.novaksights.com/images/sights/s&w%20m&p/swmpslidew.jpg

[Erik 1]

More reading: http://mp-pistol.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=19605&hl=sagging

[John_Wayne777]

What you are seeing in that picture is perfectly normal. The frame is actually perfectly straight...the slide is cut to a slightly upward angle deliberately as a means of promoting reliability.

All M&P's have this to some degree...but the guns with longer slides make it more visible than the compacts or standard guns.

[ChicagoTex]

The frame is actually perfectly straight...the slide is cut to a slightly upward angle deliberately as a means of promoting reliability.

No kidding.

Well, don't I feel foolish.

Guess if I'm gonna get an M&P I'll just have to get used to my eyes deceiving me.

[TY44934]

Clearly, this problem is as serious as a loose upper-to-lower fit on an AR/M4 type weapon, and warrants extensive further discussion.

[ChicagoTex]

Clearly, this problem is as serious as a loose upper-to-lower fit on an AR/M4 type weapon, and warrants extensive further discussion.

Snarky.

One of the reasons I rarely start threads is because I always try to do searches on a subject I'm curious about beforehand. Following that pattern here, my search yielded nothing (or, more correctly, too much unrelated), so I made a thread with my question. My question was asked, and thankfully answered quickly and thoughtfully. And so this thread would end save for hecklers keeping it alive for... what reason, exactly?

I'm sorry my ignorance perturbs you, but perhaps next time you could save us both a ton of grief and not click threads you have no interest in?

[ToddG]

Can't see the pic. Presumably M4arc and JW777 did, and if they didn't see anything unusual, I wouldn't worry about it.

FWIW, the gap that is being discussed is there for a reason. Unlike a certain other polymer gun that has been known to have problems during high-volume endurance testing, the M&P frame won't deform when it gets extremely hot even if there is a light mounted to the gun.

While this benefit has very close to zero practical value for an end-user, it definitely looks good if you can convince an agency to use a high-volume endurance test, with light attached, with minimal cool-down opportunities, as a basis for selecting a gun. :cool:

[DJK]

M&Ps were designed that way. It was discussed a year and a half ago on the M&P Forum: http://mp-pistol.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=11247&hl=frame+sag