0-2 (i.e., "oh-for-two") with M&Ps (sort of)

[zibby43]

I used to be solely a Glock guy. I still have a G23 (my only .40 S&W pistol) and a G26. I know, different calibers. The fact is, I made it work when I utilized them both as my carry choices.

The G23 was my "winter" carry pistol while the G26 remains on my hip or by the spot where my appendix used to be in a VG2 during the warmer months.

I am beginning the transition to carrying exclusively 9mm. I plan on using my Walther PPQ 9mm for the cooler months and continuing to use my G26 in its same role. The controls are similar enough between the two, aside from the trigger guard mag release on the PPQ.

Back in December, I bought a full-size M&P 9 after getting my hands on a friend's. I loved the way it felt. I didn't experience any of the dreaded long-range accuracy problems that some have encountered with the full-size 9.

Long story short, I bought a NIB M&P 9 (no thumb safety) and headed out to the range with it the same day I got it. The gun was plagued by malfunctions. Failure-to-feed problems with every magazine and every type of factory ammo. Countless light strikes. I couldn't make it through a mere 100 rounds because the gun was choking so badly.

Needless to say, I was disappointed. I sent it in to S&W and the fine folks there took care of me quickly, replacing a defective striker assembly and barrel. The feed ramp on the old barrel was pathetic.

Once I got the pistol back, I had a failure-to-feed with the first round I attempted to chamber but then proceeded to put several hundred rounds through it without issue. I really didn't trust that particular pistol anymore so I parted ways with it.

Fast forward to the present: I recently picked up an M&P 9 Shield after having the chance to handle one. I took it out to the range for the first time yesterday and I only put 200 rounds through it but the gun ran like a champion. I was extremely surprised by the accuracy of the pistol. At one point, after having warmed up a bit, I put 6 rounds through the same ragged hole at approximately 10 yards.

HOWEVER, on the second to last mag, the damn white dot on the front sight post came out! Not only that, upon further inspection, the front sight post had also shifted. The front sight is now tilted/cockeyed slightly with the right corner (from the shooter's perspective) sitting lower than the left.

Either I have bad luck with my M&Ps or the QC at S&W is nothing to write home about.

I'm not selling the Shield. I shoot it well and it functions fine so far (notwithstanding the useless front sight).

Should I send the pistol back to S&W and let them fix it on their dime? Buy a new set of sights (preferably night sights) if there are even any available for the Shield? I thought about just filling in the damn thing with some white out and trying to adjust the post myself but I really don't want to wait for it to shift again.

Sorry for the long-winded post. Any and all thoughts appreciated.

[ralph]

I'd put new sights on it..For the most part, stock sights on just about anything just plain suck..The dots fall out of M&P's and stock Glock sights aren't much more than "slot fillers". Go buy yourself a good set of sights you like, make sure they're in nice and tight, and drive on...Anytime I buy a pistol, I figure on replacing the sights..

[Sensei]

The missing white dot phenomenon is a common occurrence on M&P pistols. I've never personally experienced it, but I replace the factory sights on all of my pistols with quality NS after only 100 rounds to verify function. As for the twisted front sight issue, that is a new one for me.

FWIW, I own 8 M&P pistols. Three of those had to be sent back to S&W within 200 rounds for serious problems. For example, I had a VTAC 9mm that was throwing brass back in my face on every round (and was shipped with 40SW) mags that had the extractor and barrel replaced. A 45C had FTF on every mag that also got a new barrel and extractor. Finally, a 45FS had a broken striker that was sent back to SW twice (eventually diagnosed and fixed by Scott at APEX). Smith paid for shipping on all of those and fixed the problems (except for the 45FS) within 3 weeks.

Don't get me wrong, they can be excellent pistols when they are running. In addition, Smith does a great job of fixing those that crap out on you. I just wish they paid better attention to detail before sending these pistols out of the factory.

[saddlerocker]

My front sight dot just fell out last week, after about 2k rounds.

Bought some testors enamel paint from the hardware store. Applied it with a toothpick.

That seems to be a common and easy to fix issue.

My M&P9 has been flawless mechanically.
And I plan on getting a shield as soon as I can.

[zibby43]

I'd put new sights on it..For the most part, stock sights on just about anything just plain suck..The dots fall out of M&P's and stock Glock sights aren't much more than "slot fillers". Go buy yourself a good set of sights you like, make sure they're in nice and tight, and drive on...Anytime I buy a pistol, I figure on replacing the sights..

Thanks for your input, Ralph.

I agree wholeheartedly with your point regarding stock sights. The only "stock" sights that I thoroughly enjoy are the Trijicons on my TRP and EB Kobra. I haven't changed the sights on my PPQ because I seem to be doing just fine with them at the moment. When it replaces the G23 in my carry rotation, night sights would seem prudent.

My follow-up questions would be: Do you have a Shield? If so, are you running night sights on it?

The missing white dot phenomenon is a common occurrence on M&P pistols. I've never personally experienced it, but I replace the factory sights on all of my pistols with quality NS after only 100 rounds to verify function. As for the twisted front sight issue, that is a new one for me.

FWIW, I own 8 M&P pistols. Three of those had to be sent back to S&W within 200 rounds for serious problems. For example, I had a VTAC 9mm that was throwing brass back in my face on every round (and was shipped with 40SW) mags that had the extractor and barrel replaced. A 45C had FTF on every mag that also got a new barrel and extractor. Finally, a 45FS had a broken striker that was sent back to SW twice (eventually diagnosed and fixed by Scott at APEX). Smith paid for shipping on all of those and fixed the problems (except for the 45FS) within 3 weeks.

Don't get me wrong, they can be excellent pistols when they are running. In addition, Smith does a great job of fixing those that crap out on you. I just wish they paid better attention to detail before sending these pistols out of the factory.

I appreciate your candid thoughts. You are clearly are committed to the platform but at least you are willing to acknowledge the QC issues that seem to be more prevalent than most would care to admit.

I know that even Glock has egg on its face right now because of the extraction issue with its bread-and-butter 9mm pistols (from G17 to G26) but a lot of times S&W seems to get a pass on here (aside from the 9mm long-range accuracy issue). Sig gets absolutely murdered on this board but my recently departed P229R was dead-nuts reliable. My G23 and G26 have sent thousands of trouble-free rounds down range.

Out of the M&Ps you own, do you have a Shield? My apologies if you addressed this. It seems like having night sights installed professionally is the best option. What night sights out there currently will work, and work well with the Shield? I have searched but found no consensus.

Many thanks.

[zibby43]

My front sight dot just fell out last week, after about 2k rounds.

Bought some testors enamel paint from the hardware store. Applied it with a toothpick.

That seems to be a common and easy to fix issue.

My M&P9 has been flawless mechanically.
And I plan on getting a shield as soon as I can.

Interesting. If it had been the white dot alone (and I have read about that issue on here and elsewhere), I wouldn't have posted anything. I agree with you that a DIY fix in that case would be the easiest route.

But the front sight post is also titled now and that drives me nuts. I've tried dicking with it but not too much because I didn't want to look like I had tampered with it in the event I sent it back to S&W.

[C4IGrant]

The first gun not functioning is odd for sure (not common).

The white dot falling is is 100% normal. This is GOD's way to telling you to get NS's on a carry gun.



C4

[zibby43]

The first gun not functioning is odd for sure (not common).

The white dot falling is is 100% normal. This is GOD's way to telling you to get NS's on a carry gun.

Any time I've followed the advice of this board, things have turned out well. I will be getting some night sights on the Shield.

Grant, have you installed Trijicons or any other set of quality night sights on a Shield yet? If so, I'd be more than happy to send it your way and pay to have it all fixed up.

Shoot me a PM please if this a feasible possibility.

Thanks.

[Sensei]

I do not own a shield as of yet. I stumbled upon one at a local shop last month, but the trigger was gritty. The store owner acknowledge that the weapon as a bit of an outlier since most Shields were an improvement on the M&P trigger. Thus, I passed on that particular gun. In fact, I'll probably hold out until APEX makes a parts kit since I'm rather wedded to the DCAEK trigger. I cannot speak to the NS question.

[zibby43]

I do not own a shield as of yet. I stumbled upon one at a local shop last month, but the trigger was gritty. The store owner acknowledge that the weapon as a bit of an outlier since most Shields were an improvement on the M&P trigger. Thus, I passed on that particular gun. In fact, I'll probably hold out until APEX makes a parts kit since I'm rather wedded to the DCAEK trigger. I cannot speak to the NS question.

Understood. With the particular Shield that I have, I actually like the trigger quite a bit better than the one on my old full-size. The reset still needs work. Early on during the first range outing, there were a couple times where I failed to allow the the trigger to reset properly before attempting to press out another round.