Problem with S&W M&P 40c

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  • Long1MD

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 12, 2013
    1,113
    Too far gone
    I was hoping to get some advice on this pistol. I have been having a problem with the accuracy of this pistol. Every pistol I have, I can hit dead center at 25ft. With this pistol, I struggle to keep it on the sheet...WTF? Aside from being all over the place on the sheet, I find that, for the size there is entirely too much recoil. Part of the inaccuracy problem is the inability to get back on target because of recoil. A friend of mind shoots well in tournaments and owns the full sized version. We have tried different ammo with the same result. My question is does anyone else have a 40c with this problem or corrected this problem? Am I in need of a new recoil spring that will lower the recoil?
     

    clandestine

    AR-15 Savant
    Oct 13, 2008
    37,031
    Elkton, MD
    Small 40s are not enjoyable to shoot. 9mm will be softer.

    As far as the accuracy it could be you bit if another experienced shooter has the same rests it sounds like the gun is the problem. Call S&W and have them send a call tag and have it sent in for service. M&PS have had accuracy issues with some older models, perhaps this one just was the luck of the draw.

    Don't try to modify it, it will void the warranty.

    I assume you are using GOOD factory ammo, not reloads or steel cased ammo.
     

    Long1MD

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 12, 2013
    1,113
    Too far gone
    Small 40s are not enjoyable to shoot. 9mm will be softer.

    As far as the accuracy it could be you bit if another experienced shooter has the same rests it sounds like the gun is the problem. Call S&W and have them send a call tag and have it sent in for service. M&PS have had accuracy issues with some older models, perhaps this one just was the luck of the draw.

    Don't try to modify it, it will void the warranty.

    I assume you are using GOOD factory ammo, not reloads or steel cased ammo.

    CCI Blazer...cheap stuff, but shoots well in everything else I own. Speer Lawman, and Federal American Eagle. All of these brands perform well in everything else I own...low end or high end. Never any steel in anything I own except the AK.
     

    xd40c

    Business Owner-Gun Toter
    Sep 20, 2007
    2,067
    East Earl, PA
    I have an M&P .40c. I've never had any "unusual" accuracy issues. I'm not as accurate with it as I am with my revolvers, but I'm also no less accurate with it than say the xd40c. Compacts, by their nature, will be less accurate (in my opinion) than a given full size.
     

    frdfandc

    Fish It
    Aug 27, 2011
    3,374
    Elkton, MD
    I have this same firearm. I'm less accurate with this then my XDm .40. It's due to it being smaller (sight radius is shorter) and not having as much time behind the trigger. Every time I shoot it, I get better with it.

    Most of my shots are about 1-1.5 inches left of center with the 40c, as opposed to my XDm, which I can place shots where I want them.

    I want to get around 5-600 rounds through it first before even considering using it as a carry piece. If I don't get used to it, I'll trade it for a M&P 9c instead.
     

    Braddbdl

    Fed up Libertarian
    Mar 30, 2010
    854
    Oviedo, FL
    I want to get around 5-600 rounds through it first before even considering using it as a carry piece. If I don't get used to it, I'll trade it for a M&P 9c instead.

    Just get the conversion barrel from Storm Lake, and some 9mm mags. Then you will have the ability to shoot both.
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    Test as indicated, that's the first step, it must be ruled out. If that is deemed okay the problem may have more to do with shootability than intrinsic accuracy. A long heavy trigger pull with lots of over travel allowing 8 or more pounds of released force to slam into the frame. Improving the trigger helped my 5" Pro9 a great deal. But I do NOT advise that now.
     
    Last edited:

    Boom Boom

    Hold my beer. Watch this.
    Jul 16, 2010
    16,834
    Carroll
    Look closely for any damage on the barrel crown with a flashlight. A common cause is dragging a steel cleaning handle along the bore's muzzle edge. Could also be due to barrel scoring, but not easy to see without a good bore scope. Heavy use of metal brushes for cleaning will do it. If you know anybody with the same gun, try their barrel in your gun and see if accuracy is any better. Frankly, the most common cause is jerking the trigger, especially if your finger is not quite long enough to comfortably reach the trigger.
     

    Long1MD

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 12, 2013
    1,113
    Too far gone
    I have a few avenues for help. No one that I know personally is a true gunsmith. I posted because I own the LCP 380 and LC 9. I also have an XDS 45. I give you this info because I am truly use to small, "snappy" pistols. I can hit bullseye consistantly will the previous listed (the LCP takes a TON of practice). That would rule out shooting stance and trigger squeeze. I am thinking clean, examine bore/spring. I really contemplated trading in for a Remington 700 308 SPS with 20" barrel.
     

    Jackson923

    Hell Yeah!
    Jan 25, 2008
    1,942
    Harford Co
    Got mine to the range yesterday for the first time and noticed a similar issue. Put 70 rounds through it and it shot well at 10 yards from a defensive posture and while moving in retreat, but when I toed the line and shot at 2" circle from the same distance I only put 2/10 shots on the dot, shooting 1/2 silhouettes for the other shots no issue. I think I am use to the full size 9mm with my upgrades and I was anticipating the recoil prior to my shot because 8/10 were 3-4" low at 6 o'clock. OP please update if you find out the issue I am interested.
     

    Long1MD

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 12, 2013
    1,113
    Too far gone
    Will do. I have a custom Crossbreed holster and 4 mags. The pistol feels great and looks great. Really trying to keep this one especially with the climate here in MD.
     

    Jimbuck

    Active Member
    May 26, 2009
    253
    Mine shoots low like Jackson923 mentioned. This is the only one that I have issues with (XD45, Sig 229 9MM and Glock 21SF).
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,733
    Socialist State of Maryland
    For you guys having accuracy problems, try some different ammo. I have noticed lately that brands that I thought were good to go now seem to have reliability and accuracy problems. Maybe it is a sign of the times. :sad20:

    My M&P40c, one of my carry guns, will shoot 1 inch groups from the bench at 20 yards using my handloads. White box stuff gives me three inch groups and blazer copper washed stuff is worse. I just shot the same test in a friends Sign229 (1982 US PX Germany) and it gave similar results so I know it is not just my gun.

    As an aside, I carried a 229 for some years and it never had the trigger my buds has stock out to box. I wonder if the European guns didn't get the lawyer mods that ours do. :rolleyes:
     

    montoya32

    Ultimate Member
    Patriot Picket
    Jun 16, 2010
    11,311
    Harford Co
    For you guys having accuracy problems, try some different ammo. I have noticed lately that brands that I thought were good to go now seem to have reliability and accuracy problems. Maybe it is a sign of the times. :sad20:

    My M&P40c, one of my carry guns, will shoot 1 inch groups from the bench at 20 yards using my handloads. White box stuff gives me three inch groups and blazer copper washed stuff is worse. I just shot the same test in a friends Sign229 (1982 US PX Germany) and it gave similar results so I know it is not just my gun.

    As an aside, I carried a 229 for some years and it never had the trigger my buds has stock out to box. I wonder if the European guns didn't get the lawyer mods that ours do. :rolleyes:


    I know my M&P9 has accuracy changes with different weight ammo. It likes 115gr the best. The heavier I get, the wider my shot groups are. I suppose it could be me, but it is less accurate with heavier rounds.
     

    Long1MD

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 12, 2013
    1,113
    Too far gone
    .40 cal ammo

    Since I got rid of the only .40cal that I owned, now looking to sell the ammo. I have Winchester White Box 165Gr, Winchester Ranger Bonded JHP, Winchester PDX1 180gr, Remington UMC 180gr and a couple of others to sell. Anyone interested let me know and we can work something out.
     

    Long1MD

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 12, 2013
    1,113
    Too far gone
    I actually tried that also. I liked how it felt in my hand, but it was just too snappy. One could say all compacts are snappy, but I have subcompacts with less recoil. I pulled it apart and found nothing wrong with the spring or barrel. I tried different rounds as well as backstraps. Maybe I got one made on a Monday or a Friday. Whatever the case, I used the proceeds for a .308 bolt rifle with a threaded, 5R barrel.
     

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