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Got my new magazine release in the mail today from Smith & Wesson, no charge, we're back in business, yay! Now I just need to find time to get to the range!

Well I called S&W customer service, I was only on hold 13 minutes... they checked stock, took my name and address, and said they will ship the part today. I'm good with that... my alternative was pay $8 admission to the next gun show and shop around for a new part... since the mag catch is so easy to replace, I think it would be more work to box the lower up and ship it than to actually replace the catch myself!

I would, in priciple, like to demand to have S&W fix this, but if I do, will I be required to ship my lower to them through a FFL dealer? Wouldn't a FFL charge me a fee for that?

The part that broke/separated is the "L" shaped piece, not the threaded plastic button. I watched a video on Cheaper Than Dirt which explained how simple the parts are to install. Embarassed I didn't see how simple the process is.

After doing some research, yes, it appears the easiest, cheapest route is to just buy a new one and fix it myself....

I purchased a new Smith & Wesson M&P15 ORC from Academy on July 4, 2010. It has never been fired, but I have loaded/unloaded, cleaned, oiled, etc. Yesterday after removing a magazine the release fell out in pieces. It came apart where the pin presses into the release. So, I have questions maybe some subject matter experts can help with them...

Is this a common occurence?
Should I hope S&W would repair even though it's been more than a year since purchase? If so, do I have to ship it from a Gun Shop? Do I ship the whole gun or just the lower?
I S&W won't warranty it, where would be the best shop to take it?

Sorry for all the newbie questions...