MILITARY ARMS CHANNEL: M&P9 Reliability Test

[chezuki]

I was as surprised as anyone. We've tested several striker fired pistols and the M&P was the first to have such serious issues with the water. We checked and double checked, and this particular gun does not like having water in it. I know some folks will swear up and down this is impossible, or their S&W's have hundreds of thousands of trouble free rounds through them, but what you see in the video is what really happened. <shrug>

Something something... "you did it wrong" something something... "mine wouldn't have done that".


As snug as the M&P striker assembly fits in the striker channel, I'm honestly not surprised with the hydrolock issue. There is one small drain hole and he actual hole for the firing pin is much smaller than on the Glock as well... no where really for water to go in a hurry. I wonder is some modification could be made to work like maritime cups for the M&P?

 

[chezuki]

How important is it that you have a gun that functions after it has been fully submerged in water? I get being prepared, but I'm not looking to go navy seal anytime soon...

The answer is directly proportionate to how likely the pistol (or you and the pistol) are to end up in the drink.

Far less likely in day to day activity than say, on a canoe trip.

 

[MilitaryArms]

How important a firearms reliability is to you is only something you can answer. If you honestly feel your moment of truth will come in a sterile environment, then don't concern yourself with how well your gun works when exposed to common elements. It's a matter of personal preference.

 

[PRasko]

Something something... "you did it wrong" something something... "mine wouldn't have done that".


As snug as the M&P striker assembly fits in the striker channel, I'm honestly not surprised with the hydrolock issue. There is one small drain hole and he actual hole for the firing pin is much smaller than on the Glock as well... no where really for water to go in a hurry. I wonder is some modification could be made to work like maritime cups for the M&P?

The striker channel sleeve on M&P has straight lands and grooves like barrel rifling.

This, in effect, is the same as maritime cups for the glock pistol.

How important a firearms reliability is to you is only something you can answer. If you honestly feel your moment of truth will come in a sterile environment, then don't concern yourself with how well your gun works when exposed to common elements. It's a matter of personal preference.

MAC, do you feel if the standard hinged M&P trigger were still in place, would the sand, dirt, mud have caused a malfuction with the trigger safety?

I'm wondering if anything got in the hinge, would the trigger safety be able to work properly.

 

[Bfish]

It was mainly the water test that was most concerning... It's for that reason the trigger is more of a non issue there. The gun failed before it ever saw sand, dirt, or mud.

 

[Fargo]

I am curious if the water issue is common to all calibers/variants and to all examples of the MP9 full size. I may just dunk mine to find out where mine falls. I am really curious if it is systemic or not.

 

[chezuki]

I am curious if the water issue is common to all calibers/variants and to all examples of the MP9 full size. I may just dunk mine to find out where mine falls. I am really curious if it is systemic or not.

I was thinking about trying it as well... been a while since I detail stripped it anyway.

 

[Bfish]

I am curious if the water issue is common to all calibers/variants and to all examples of the MP9 full size. I may just dunk mine to find out where mine falls. I am really curious if it is systemic or not.

Let us know how it does.. I was honestly thinking of dunking one too just for the fun of it.

 

[Fargo]

I was thinking about trying it as well... been a while since I detail stripped it anyway.

Did a quick and dirty Google on water testing them and I am going to guess that it is not systematic based on the vids/posts I found. I would love to see further testing on this and may try it on mine.

 

[chezuki]

The striker channel sleeve on M&P has straight lands and grooves like barrel rifling.

This, in effect, is the same as maritime cups for the glock pistol.

Interesting... mine does not (made late 2012). It's perfectly smooth and the "cup" on the striker fits almost like a piston. I wonder when they started adding the grooves, and if MAC's has them.

 

[PRasko]

Interesting... mine does not (made late 2012). It's perfectly smooth and the "cup" on the striker fits almost like a piston. I wonder when they started adding the grooves, and if MAC's has them.

Well that has me wondering now.

It was pointed out in the AGI M&P armorers course video, and he was holding an older M&P. Wonder if its something they phased out?

Picture screencapped from the AGI video. Looking at the rear sight, it doesn't have the step so I'm guessing he's using a pre-2012 cutaway.

 

[Fordtough25]

Somebody should text Esrice!!! This may be enough to bring him back to Glock finally!! Muahahaha

 

[Woobie]

Awesome video, MAC. Looks like an aftermarket upgrade to the striker channel is a must.

Tell your our buddy I like the knife hand. Interesting technique with the thumb straight up, lol.

 

[masterdekoy]

Wonder if the shield would have the same problem...

 

[lovemachine]

Wonder if the shield would have the same problem...

It's an M&P.....of course it would

 

[One Shot One Kill]

Never been a glock fan, but this vid coupled with the glock 17 vid makes me glad I picked up the 19 over an mp9 or 9c

 

[MilitaryArms]

One reason I picked the M&P over the Glock was that I have a friend that ran into someone doing testing for LMPD to see if the M&P would be selected to replace their (then) current sidearm (I assume Glocks). The test was to see how many rounds it could fire before failing with minimal cleaning. They were up to 12,000 and were still going strong. This, along with talking with people I trust and reading reviews online, plus the feel of the M&P in my hand lead me to choose it. Considering the times I am submerged, or at the beach I am confident in the performance of both my M&P's.

Ironically the M&P has some well known, fairly serious, issues which is why S&W will soon be releasing a M&P II. Don't believe me? Do a little Googling and wait a few more months.

 

[MilitaryArms]

Awesome video, MAC. Looks like an aftermarket upgrade to the striker channel is a must.

Tell your our buddy I like the knife hand. Interesting technique with the thumb straight up, lol.

I've heard, but can't confirm, S&W has made cuts to the striker channels of later model M&P's to alleviate the hydrolocking issues. This is internet scuttlebutt so I don't place much stock in it. The pistol I used is about 5 years old.

 

[lovemachine]

Ironically the M&P has some well known, fairly serious, issues which is why S&W will soon be releasing a M&P II. Don't believe me? Do a little Googling and wait a few more months.

A Gen 2? Really?

 

[ru44mag]

Interesting. I think an SR9 would be good to see. If he doesn't, maybe I'll just do one of my own.

I watched a similar test, actually a little more harsh. Glock vs Ruger. Sadly, the Ruger did not do very well. The Glock was pretty impressive. And I am NOT a Glock guy.