M&P problems with oxidizing

[1oldgrunt]

there was some talk of M&P's rusting!? As slide is stainless is the problem with the melonite processs which deposits ferous oxide on the surface. I really like the M&P as does my better half so thinking of getting a couple.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

[bp7178]

Old news.

There was a finish problem with some of the very first models. It has since been corrected.

[arcticlightfighter]

Old news.

There was a finish problem with some of the very first models. It has since been corrected.

Agreed. My early M&P9c is very prone to rust but my other 3 newer production are rust free.

[C4IGrant]

S&W fixed this issue many moons ago.



C4

[Beat Trash]

I've had a M&P9 as a issued duty gun since 2006. Never had an issue with rusting. Some of the early magazines (the shiny ones) had issues.

I am simply amazed at some of the internet chatter bashing the M&P. I'm only going off of a sample of 1,150 9mm guns in the field since 2006. If the internet were to be believed, we should be screaming into the night about POS guns! In reality, not so much...

Any manufacture out there will have an occasional issue pop up with an occasional gun. The thing to look at is if there is a pattern indicating an issue with the design. And how willing the company is to stand behind their product.

Take your better half and go pick out a couple of M&P's.

[Todd.K]

Bashing? It is a fact that nitride on stainless can reduce the corrosion resistance. The nitride process can make CrN out of the chromium.

Chromium is the reason stainless steel is more corrosion resistant, it forms a layer of chromium oxide that does not continue to corrode like iron oxide. If the free chromium content is too low corrosion resistance is reduced.

Both the material and nitride process can be altered to improve corrosion resistance, Grant's response that it has been fixed means there were at least some problems.

[Magsz]

Todd,

I think BT is simply saying that the "issues" are there although contrary to what is said on the internet they are not as prevalent as the WWW would have you believe.

I personally had a 2008 production 4.25 inch 9MM that would rust if i looked at it wrong.

ALL of my new production guns are as rust resistant as my Glocks.

[Alpha Sierra]

Bashing? It is a fact that nitride on stainless can reduce the corrosion resistance. The nitride process can make CrN out of the chromium.

Chromium is the reason stainless steel is more corrosion resistant, it forms a layer of chromium oxide that does not continue to corrode like iron oxide. If the free chromium content is too low corrosion resistance is reduced.

Both the material and nitride process can be altered to improve corrosion resistance, Grant's response that it has been fixed means there were at least some problems.

Not only that, but many do not know that any stainless in its untreated state is likely to rust (some more than others) unless it is passivated in nitric or citric acid solutions.

[Cazwell]

I have an M&P9c from 2007. I bought it used in, I think, January of this year. In fact, I received a lot of help and good info from Beat Trash regarding the purchase, evaluating a used M&P, maintenance etc.

I have around 900 rounds through it (on the black striker) and I don't know how many dry fires. I've never had a malfunction of any kind, even with the crappiest ammo. A lot of the things I was concerned about just haven't been an issue.

As to rust, I have on one or two occasions, put the gun away with only a quick wipe down after shooting it in wet weather or hiking with it etc. I did notice a very small amount of rust on the serrations on the slide. I mean a very small, have to look very close to see it, amount. It wiped off with a dry cloth.

I don't know if that is abnormal for pistols in general, but it happens on my hunting rifles, my 870 or anything else I use in the field and get wet. One time when I was in high school I got a little pitting on a Savage .308, but I it sat in that condition for inappropriate amount of time.

I wouldn't worry about it with the M&P. My newer one has never done this, and I really enjoy shooting both. My wife shoots them both often as well, and really likes the mild recoil and lack of muzzle flip.

[ClintHall]

Small amounts of surface rust on the slide of my 2009 M&P9FS (purchased new this year). I'm sending it back to S&W tomorrow to have them take a look.