Last month, we checked the accuracy of the M&P9 “endurance test” gun after the pistol was returned from S&W’s SHOT Show Booth. The result was about one inch greater group size than before the slide developed the crack which ended our test.
As promised — though a bit belated — we did a thorough cleaning of the gun, including allowing the barrel to soak overnight in Shooter’s Choice, then tested the pistol’s accuracy again. The results were nothing short of spectacular.
As you can see in the photo (R), the pistol is still capable of outstanding 25 yard accuracy. That 1.50″ group was the best of the bunch, with the other groups measuring 2.15″, 2.04″, 1.83″, and 1.64″ … averaging 1.83″!
That is just 0.11″ off from the Week 26 (52,900 rounds) test, which was the last time we thoroughly cleaned the pistol. That tenth of an inch could easily be the result of just one bad (shooter induced) shot out of the entire series. For all intents and purposes, this gun is literally just as accurate as it was before the slide crack.
Federal 124gr +p HST
- week 1: 1.46″
- week 6: 2.05″
- week 10: 1.69″
- week 17: 1.99″
- week 22: 1.92″ (after thorough cleaning)
- Post-Test Accuracy Check #1: 2.88″ (dirty gun)
- Post-Test Accuracy Check #2: 1.83″ (clean gun)
PLEASE NOTE: Neither pistol-training.com nor Smith & Wesson recommend or condone firing a pistol with known broken components. This test was performed by a shooter with extensive training and experience in firearms test protocols. Do not try this at home. If you detect a broken component in any firearm, clear the gun and return it to the manufacturer for service at once.
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
so is this going to make you clean your guns more often?
Hmmm…I think more guns are ruined by excessive cleaning than are ever shot out, but it would appear that there is a case to be made for clean guns, or at least clean barrels. On the other hand, I dunno if I can hold well enough day in day out to take advantage of the added accuracy. Interesting nonetheless, and a testament to the consistency of SnW barrels.
Rob E — No. 8)
Thought so.
So has Smith learned anything from your test that will be incorporating into future guns?
So, does the gun function fully with the cracked slide, or did that get replaced? It’s not really clear.
Mort — To be clear, those groups were fired with the original slide (which developed the crack). Except for making the slide a little harder to get off the gun during field stripping, it doesn’t seem to have any effect at all. Nonetheless, I did receive a replacement slide and will probably be putting that on the gun for any future use.
I guess it is still under warrantee?
Todd, did S&W have any explanation/remedy for the cracked slide?
v/r
Ira
Ira — Nothing specific. It’s simply the point where the slide is most likely to crack under heavy use & abuse, I think.
Wish I could get my hands on one of these accurate M&P’s. I’ve got an M&P.40 I purchased last summer and put 500+ rnds of the cheap to the good stuff through it and I can’t get groups under 4″ at 10 yds over sand bags. My cheapest 1911 an AMT hardballer w/fullhouse rounds fired offhand beats the M&P hands down. The trigger was so “gritty” I sent it back to S&W along with a letter about the trigger and accuracy issues, they did smooth out the triger but it still needs a triger job. they told me that the accuracy was acceptable for a duty weapon. Anyone else have any issues with theirs.
No accuracy issues with either of mine. I’ve been getting 1 3/4″ to 2″ groups at 10 yards freestyle, which is with fairly bad eyes and an MP40Pro. With my MP45c, I can do just a bit better. I think a kid with fresh eyes could cut those groups in half with relative ease. I certainly cannot shoot 2″ groups at 25 yards with a rest…but I believe it’s due to problems with not being able to get a sight picture that I can keep from shot to shot. They eyes just go nuts with a target that blurry.
My M&P is far more accurate than I can hold even from a bench. I have only about 5K through my FS without a FTF or FTE. I just bought a Pro 5″ and will do the internatls/
Would like to see another test done on a 5″ Pro or “L” to see if current production has improved the line of pistols.
Take Care
Bob