S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem - The Firearms Forum

RunningOnMT · 06-18-2012, 01:18 PM

I own an M&P .45 compact. Awhile back I ordered one 8-rd magazine from S&W but hadn't used it until recently. This mag looks identical to the two that came with the pistol but I can only get 7 rounds loaded in it, even using a mag loader.

Taking all three mags apart the difference with this mags spring is obvious. Where as the other two have springs with equal size coils running the whole length of the mag, the spring on this one starts to get progressively smaller as it gets close to the feed lips. I can guess what's happening. I think this spring is designed to collapse inside itself when compressed. The coils are probably getting stuck on each other as this happens. The spring is twisted slightly, so I'm wondering if someone tried to fix this before.

I called Smith and as usual with other things I've tried ordering from them, a replacement spring is out of stock. Having waited a couple months when I placed a backorder in the past I declined. I tried to bend the spring back in place but to no avail...it just wont collapse enough.

Has anyone ever seen a spring tapered like this and is there anywhere to just buy a mag spring and not the whole mag?

Brass Tacks · 06-18-2012, 04:25 PM

I can't shed any light on your mag problem but I fully understand the frustration of dealing with S&W

RunningOnMT · 06-18-2012, 09:41 PM

Geeez, been searching all over the internet and apparently this has been an issue for some time. The thing is I can't find a single place to buy replacement springs other than Brownells and they are out of stock on them just like S&W.

This situation is unacceptable to me; firstly because this apparently has been a known issue on all M&P models that has gone on for several years, secondly that something as basic as a magazine spring is out of stock. Still looking for help if anyone knows where I can find them. Part number is 391550000.

Charles Christensen · 06-19-2012, 09:48 AM

Have you tried Wolff Gunsprings? I don't know if they do mag springs but they do a lot of others.

I have the same capacity problem with my M&P 9C. The two "12" round mags only got to that point once that I can remember. A 17 round mag for the full-size M&P holds 17 just fine. I suspect that the "clever" spring design to operate in the shorter mag might require more thought. Try buying a 9MM mag spring and do some chopping.

RunningOnMT · 06-19-2012, 01:25 PM

Talked to S&W customer service who seemed uninterested. They said I could send the mag back for a replacement. They claim to have mags in stock, but no springs. It's a shame that S&W should let a part from a third party vendor tarnish the reputation of an otherwise fine pistol.

P.S. Nobody that I can find, including Wolff springs has any springs in stock. Lots of links for this item when Googled but they all lead back to Brownells, and they are for Wolff springs.

goofy · 06-19-2012, 02:02 PM

Did you try Midway USA to see if they have it ?
Mike

RunningOnMT · 06-20-2012, 08:50 AM

Their price for a spring is as much as I can get the whole mag for elsewhere. I guess I'll just send it back to S&W.

06-18-2012, 01:18 PM	#1
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem I own an M&P .45 compact. Awhile back I ordered one 8-rd magazine from S&W but hadn't used it until recently. This mag looks identical to the two that came with the pistol but I can only get 7 rounds loaded in it, even using a mag loader. Taking all three mags apart the difference with this mags spring is obvious. Where as the other two have springs with equal size coils running the whole length of the mag, the spring on this one starts to get progressively smaller as it gets close to the feed lips. I can guess what's happening. I think this spring is designed to collapse inside itself when compressed. The coils are probably getting stuck on each other as this happens. The spring is twisted slightly, so I'm wondering if someone tried to fix this before. I called Smith and as usual with other things I've tried ordering from them, a replacement spring is out of stock. Having waited a couple months when I placed a backorder in the past I declined. I tried to bend the spring back in place but to no avail...it just wont collapse enough. Has anyone ever seen a spring tapered like this and is there anywhere to just buy a mag spring and not the whole mag? __________________ "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" -->

06-18-2012, 04:25 PM	#2
Brass Tacks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 553	Re: S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem I can't shed any light on your mag problem but I fully understand the frustration of dealing with S&W __________________ The Second Amendment, America's Original Homeland Security I don't know how I got over the hill without ever getting to the top.

06-18-2012, 09:41 PM	#3
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem Geeez, been searching all over the internet and apparently this has been an issue for some time. The thing is I can't find a single place to buy replacement springs other than Brownells and they are out of stock on them just like S&W. This situation is unacceptable to me; firstly because this apparently has been a known issue on all M&P models that has gone on for several years, secondly that something as basic as a magazine spring is out of stock. Still looking for help if anyone knows where I can find them. Part number is 391550000. __________________ "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

06-19-2012, 09:48 AM	#4
Charles Christensen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 208	Re: S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem Have you tried Wolff Gunsprings? I don't know if they do mag springs but they do a lot of others. I have the same capacity problem with my M&P 9C. The two "12" round mags only got to that point once that I can remember. A 17 round mag for the full-size M&P holds 17 just fine. I suspect that the "clever" spring design to operate in the shorter mag might require more thought. Try buying a 9MM mag spring and do some chopping.

06-19-2012, 01:25 PM	#5
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem Talked to S&W customer service who seemed uninterested. They said I could send the mag back for a replacement. They claim to have mags in stock, but no springs. It's a shame that S&W should let a part from a third party vendor tarnish the reputation of an otherwise fine pistol. P.S. Nobody that I can find, including Wolff springs has any springs in stock. Lots of links for this item when Googled but they all lead back to Brownells, and they are for Wolff springs. __________________ "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" Last edited by RunningOnMT; 06-19-2012 at 01:28 PM..

06-19-2012, 02:02 PM	#6
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,018	Re: S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem Did you try Midway USA to see if they have it ? Mike

06-20-2012, 08:50 AM	#7
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: S&W M&P .45 Magazine Problem Their price for a spring is as much as I can get the whole mag for elsewhere. I guess I'll just send it back to S&W. __________________ "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"