My FPC 9mm was having issues. This is it after being warranty serviced.
Posted by notacamera@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 26 comments
This has been an ongoing situation. If you need to catch up, feel free to scroll my post history. Basically, I bought an fpc, shot it in very cold weather and was having an issue with the latch not holding the barrel in place. I thought it could be the extreme weather but sent it back to SW for repair anyway. I had a very weird experience with customer service where they would not give me information about what was fixed other than the firing pin being replaced. I got it back and the gun was having the same issue if not worse. I will be sending it back to them, but am worried that I will go through the same process and wait however long it takes only to be returned a broken gun. Spoke with their customer service today to see if they would just take the gun and give me credit towards another purchase but the customer service agent was not into that idea. I have recorded all of my phone calls with them (about 5 total) but don't feel right posting it here unless it becomes something bigger. To sum it up, they keep telling me that since I am not a gun smith, how can I be sure that the firing pin replacement wouldn't fix the latch, and not to believe what I read online. A wild experience. Probably don't buy this gun.
TacTurtle@reddit
Snap it closed with gusto... and no mag in the gun?
notacamera@reddit (OP)
I ended up getting a phone call from someone higher up at S&W that told me it’s most likely a bent piece of the latch that is supposed to lock but isn’t. Or a tolerance issue. I was surprised to get an actual helpful call from them after all of this. But I am curious about your comment in general.. don’t you think it would be an issue in itself if having the magazine in the gun caused it to operate like this? And the force I close it with doesn’t matter as the latch walks itself out as you can see in the end of the video. Not being hostile, just curious on your perspective
JoaquinSpawn@reddit
In my experience pretty much everything S&W makes that isn't a revolver is crap
blankford@reddit
You must have no experience.
The entire M&P pistol line, M&P 15 Sport, M&P 15-22, BG 2.0, Victory, Shield, M&P 22X, M&P 22 WMR, CSS, Equalizer.
All are extremely popular and well rated.
OP got a lemon FPC
TacTurtle@reddit
S&W quality has sorta tanked since covid, especially for the entry level semi autos like the Bodyguard / 2.0 and the Equalizer.
The M&P had always been a decent Glock knockoff with a less crap grip, but their optics cuts in the last 2-3 years and general QC seem to have declined - misaligned or loose sight blades, burrs or mold flashing on internal parts and extractors, etc.
The non-"Custom Center" revolver trigger pulls have also dropped off in quality, they are heavier and grittier in SA and DA than older ones made even in the early 2010s.
Plain_Spoken@reddit
Popular and well rated just means they have good marketing, not good products.
My M&P is the worst pistol I own an every easy and customer service from S&W is a damn joke. CS was so bad that it was actually offensive. I'll never own a S&W product again, even if it's free.
gafsstolemysoul@reddit
Coming from a long time gun store employee, salesmen and owner of S&W products they can be pretty dog shit at times. Pretty mucn ehe entire shield and equalizer series for years now have been continuously shipped out with very out of spec optic cuts, some of which you cannot properly zero a dot on. This goes with the CSX-E series as well from what I've personally seen.
I couldn't even properly mount any optic that fit the footprint plate or not and currently waiting for Nameless Armament to fix it. I have a very hard time recommending them anyone who plans to put an optic on a shield+ or equalizer and push them towards a 365 series or 43x/48 for this specific reason.
Smith will also tell you that the out of spec optics cuts are within spec, when they clearly are not. Known issue.
JoaquinSpawn@reddit
I worked at a gun store for over 3 years. My "experience" comes from handling their guns and their competitors guns every day. The difference in quality is easily noticed. At least to me.
I own two S&W revolvers and I love them, but all of their semi-auto pistols and rifles are just not as good as the alternatives
notacamera@reddit (OP)
I had such high hopes
dragon_sack@reddit
You got something on your camera lens
notacamera@reddit (OP)
I'm not sure if you're joking or serious
Plain_Spoken@reddit
I wanted a 9mm carbine and every manufacturer makes one that fucking folds in the middle and every one of the was built cheap and chincy as hell. Plastic receivers on a carbine. S&W customer service is hilarious. It's just a bad situation. Sorry that happened to you.
notacamera@reddit (OP)
I added this update to my post. I'll put it here as well to save you some scrolling. I still don't love my experience. I probably will never buy S&W again. But this guy Miguel called me a few hours after I sent an email and he was nothing short of fantastic. He did a good job of making me feel heard and confident that they will fix the problem.
UPDATE: After sending a strongly worded email to every high ranking person at Smith and Wesson that I could find, I got a phone call from someone in the engineering department apologizing for my experience. He asked that I send the gun in and he will personally oversee the situation. Maybe they will make this right?
Resident_Skroob@reddit
I had S&W but a lemon back from me. I sent the CS rep from the initial warranty claim (not to their generic email) a link to my video. Once I showed them the issue, they bought it (BG20, not this) back from me.
Their QC is bad enough I won't buy a new S&W now. Anyway, send them the video. They'll actually look at it.
notacamera@reddit (OP)
I added this update to my post. I'll put it here as well to save you some scrolling. I still don't love my experience. I probably will never buy S&W again. But this guy Miguel called me a few hours after I sent an email and he was nothing short of fantastic. He did a good job of making me feel heard and confident that they will fix the problem.
UPDATE: After sending a strongly worded email to every high ranking person at Smith and Wesson that I could find, I got a phone call from someone in the engineering department apologizing for my experience. He asked that I send the gun in and he will personally oversee the situation. Maybe they will make this right?
IudexJudy@reddit
Yeah I’ve had to send my BG2.0 back twice and today I finally shot it after having to get a whole new slide and I got a squib in my first 65 rounds. Not saying it’s the guns fault but it’s just real annoying
shmiddleedee@reddit
I almost bought one, glad I didnt.
notacamera@reddit (OP)
I added this update to my post. I'll put it here as well to save you some scrolling. I still don't love my experience. I probably will never buy S&W again. But this guy Miguel called me a few hours after I sent an email and he was nothing short of fantastic. He did a good job of making me feel heard and confident that they will fix the problem.
UPDATE: After sending a strongly worded email to every high ranking person at Smith and Wesson that I could find, I got a phone call from someone in the engineering department apologizing for my experience. He asked that I send the gun in and he will personally oversee the situation. Maybe they will make this right?
233115cam2@reddit
Loose ammo in a plastic bag… tell me these aren’t reloads, factory 2nds, or a no name brand. You have considered that it could be an ammo issue right?
Plain_Spoken@reddit
How the hell would ammo difference make the latch come apart? Use some common sense
notacamera@reddit (OP)
ammo in plastic bag bad
notacamera@reddit (OP)
Nah it’s federal ammo I just threw some in a bag because I didn’t feel like bringing an entire container outside. I’ve also shot some critical defense through it with the same issues I can’t see how ammo would make a difference though?
233115cam2@reddit
Shouldn’t, but you’d be surprised. If you’ve shot multiple types I would say you’re right and it’s not ammo related but I would definitely consider it initially
notacamera@reddit (OP)
Yeah I've tried a bunch. I shot it in 0 degree weather when I first got it this winter (pre service) 80 degree weather the other day (post service) if anything the problem has gotten more frequent. I'm no gunsmith but It almost seems like the composite portion of the latch mechanism is too large for the metal portion.
MCE85@reddit
You coulda just shot with your right to disprove. Or does it not do it shooting righty?
notacamera@reddit (OP)
I figured shooting with no grip solved that argument. I haven’t tried righty because it feels weird and I will never be shooting it righty. Either way hand dominance should not matter unless the manufacturer specifically says it does.