New M&P Pro is Stovepiping and weak ejection

[hartzpad]

Put around 120 rounds through my new M&P Pro and I love it, except for a handful of stovepipes. I experienced about 7 stovepipes out of 120 round, always caught at the top of the slide opening facing up. Also, spent casing barely eject when they don't stovepipe and they land right on top of my strong hand. The weak ejection must have something to do with the stovepiping. Anyone know what lb. recoil spring these run stock? 16 pound? I was shooting 115 gr. 9mm reloads that work in all of my other guns, in fact my M&P 9mm Compact does just fine and ejects the same reloads strong and perfect. Recoil is almost non-existant and the long slide really helps get on target for follow up shots. I actually love the sights except I need to re-melt the green fiber-optic because they melted the end into a large ball, much too large. I really like the better trigger that comes with the 9 Pro.

I couldn't get any of my (5) 17 round mags to lock the slide back when empty.....until I analyzed my grip and figured out that I had been resting my strong hand thumb on the slide release because it is located in the same place as the manual safety on my CZ which I always rest my thumb on. Gonna be hard to retrain my grip for this pistol.

Besides some retraining of my grip, I'm really going to like this pistol if it stays reliable. Any suggestions on the weak ejection? Do I send it back to S&W for repair on their dime?

[ebg3]

Put around 120 rounds through my new M&P Pro and I love it, except for a handful of stovepipes. I experienced about 7 stovepipes out of 120 round, always caught at the top of the slide opening facing up. Also, spent casing barely eject when they don't stovepipe and they land right on top of my strong hand. The weak ejection must have something to do with the stovepiping. Anyone know what lb. recoil spring these run stock? 16 pound? I was shooting 115 gr. 9mm reloads that work in all of my other guns, in fact my M&P 9mm Compact does just fine and ejects the same reloads strong and perfect. Recoil is almost non-existant and the long slide really helps get on target for follow up shots. I actually love the sights except I need to re-melt the green fiber-optic because they melted the end into a large ball, much too large. I really like the better trigger that comes with the 9 Pro.

I couldn't get any of my (5) 17 round mags to lock the slide back when empty.....until I analyzed my grip and figured out that I had been resting my strong hand thumb on the slide release because it is located in the same place as the manual safety on my CZ which I always rest my thumb on. Gonna be hard to retrain my grip for this pistol.

Besides some retraining of my grip, I'm really going to like this pistol if it stays reliable. Any suggestions on the weak ejection? Do I send it back to S&W for repair on their dime?

I think the recoil spring is 17lbs. If S&W can get mine to extract 100%, I think I'm going to try a 13lb spring in it. Try to up your powder charge a little bit. My ejection is better after 500 rounds then when I first got it.

[sperman]

Put around 120 rounds through my new M&P Pro and I love it, except for a handful of stovepipes. I experienced about 7 stovepipes out of 120 round, always caught at the top of the slide opening facing up. Also, spent casing barely eject when they don't stovepipe and they land right on top of my strong hand. The weak ejection must have something to do with the stovepiping. Anyone know what lb. recoil spring these run stock? 16 pound? I was shooting 115 gr. 9mm reloads that work in all of my other guns, in fact my M&P 9mm Compact does just fine and ejects the same reloads strong and perfect. Recoil is almost non-existant and the long slide really helps get on target for follow up shots. I actually love the sights except I need to re-melt the green fiber-optic because they melted the end into a large ball, much too large. I really like the better trigger that comes with the 9 Pro.

I couldn't get any of my (5) 17 round mags to lock the slide back when empty.....until I analyzed my grip and figured out that I had been resting my strong hand thumb on the slide release because it is located in the same place as the manual safety on my CZ which I always rest my thumb on. Gonna be hard to retrain my grip for this pistol.

Besides some retraining of my grip, I'm really going to like this pistol if it stays reliable. Any suggestions on the weak ejection? Do I send it back to S&W for repair on their dime?

There are a few threads already regarding extraction / ejection problems with the 5" M&P's. I starting having problems, and one of the M&P guru's suggested polishing the chamber. After following his advice I haven't had a problem.

[hartzpad]

My Pro extracts perfectly every time but ejection is very weak and causes stovepipes. I'll try some factory loaded ammo and try again. Checked my chamber last night and no rough edges and round fits loose enough.

[Boats]

My M&P 9L will not cycle handloads that work in a Browning HP. WWhite box factory ammo runs fine but "powderpuff" loads will not cycle. Bought a non captured guide rod and couple of lighter springs from Speedshooter and now my handloads are reliable. Kept the Factory captured spring for shooting hotter loads, and in case it needs to be returned for some reason.

Like most Automatic pistols think you just need to get settled in with loads springs etc.

Boats

[hartzpad]

My M&P 9L will not cycle handloads that work in a Browning HP. WWhite box factory ammo runs fine but "powderpuff" loads will not cycle. Bought a non captured guide rod and couple of lighter springs from Speedshooter and now my handloads are reliable. Kept the Factory captured spring for shooting hotter loads, and in case it needs to be returned for some reason.

Like most Automatic pistols think you just need to get settled in with loads springs etc.

Boats

Thanks, I may try a lighter recoil spring. What lb. spring did you end up using? 13 lb?

[Boats]

I bought Speedshooters kit of 3, 14 lb or just one lighter than stock works fine. Load is 4.4 of W 231 pushing a Cast 124 gr RN.

Boats

Edited November 28, 2008 by Boats

[DougCarden]

Boats, try the 13lb ISMI glock spring, it should do whatever you want to do. My 4in gun is set up with that and the stainless guide rod and runs like a raped ape.

I have a Tungsten rod and another 13lber sitting on the bench waiting for my 9L......

DougC

[spd522]

Before changing springs and tinkering with the gun itself, why not shoot some factory or at least hot reloads to break it in.

My SIG All Around was doing much the same thing. SIG said shoot hot ammo through it for break in. After 500 rounds or so, the problems

went away and it shoots even my mild reloads fine now.

Just a suggestion.

Craig

[revchuck]

I bought Speedshooters kit of 3, 14 lb or just one lighter than stock works fine. Load is 4.4 of W 231 pushing a Cast 124 gr RN.

Boats

Dang, Boats, my M&P9 FS runs a similar load (4.4 grains 231 over a 122 grain LTC) flawlessly, as do my other 9x19s. It chronos over 1100 fps. It is loaded a good bit shorter (1.05") than the RNL bullets, though.

[Boats]

Thats a standard target reload thats for sure. Runs fine in my Browning and M&P9C too. But was 50% stovepipe in the new M&P9L Your seating depth may be the thing thats making the difference. Deeper will increase preassure. I can't compare mine since I measure metric cartidges metric, seat that load 300mm. It's a quirk I know.

I think they are all individuals and change as they break in. My std 1911 load has always been 5.7 of 231 under a 200 gr SWC but have a Combat Commander thats much happier with 5.3 which will not cycle good in the 5 inch gun. The Commander also likes deeper seating than the full size Goverment model. 1.255 o/a instead of 1.275

Boats

[hartzpad]

Stovepipes cured!

I installed an uncaptured guide rod and a 13 lb. recoil spring (stock is 16 lb.) and it shot the same reloads as before without any problem. I think the extra mass of the Pro's slide is the difference between my Full size 9mm and 9 Compact M&P's which both shoot the same ammo without any stovepiping. I've been told that all M&P 9's and 40's use the same recoil spring assembly and weight of spring.

[Boats]

Hartzpad

Think you are on to something, no doubt the extra mass makes a difference. Have been happy with my non captured guide rod and several springs. Of course it can get complicated switching back and forth re-loads vs Factory for matches. In the end may come up with a hand load that works with the factory spring. Or like 45 ACP only shoot re-loads.

Best thing is now am in control of how the pistol works. That's not good for everybody but tweaking and adjusting is something most target shooters will always do,

Boats

[JeffWard]

Where is a good source for a drop-in 13lb recoil spring for my M&P Pro???

Thanks,

JW

[hartzpad]

Where is a good source for a drop-in 13lb recoil spring for my M&P Pro???

Thanks,

JW

http://speedshooterspecialties.com/catalog...egories=Springs

You will also need a guide rod for the spring: http://speedshooterspecialties.com/catalog...ries=Guide+Rods

[FrancoShoots]

Put around 120 rounds through my new M&P Pro and I love it, except for a handful of stovepipes.

I had similar problems with my regular M&P 9mm when I used Winchester white box ammo; once I stopped using them I had no problems with other ammo, including 8000 rounds of Wolf ammo.