Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? - The Firearms Forum

New Guy · 02-20-2011, 07:16 PM

Ok, so I went to the range yesterday and shot for about an hour.

I have a simple Hoppe's kit... (read the barrel cleaning rod, hoppe's solvent, hops oil, and a pack of the patches.)

I took down my M & P, did the outside of the slide, then did the underside of the top on the inside, the part you have to remove the slide spring and barrel to get at, with the solvent. I noticed after I did this that that area was rough to the touch and I don't remember if it was that way before I started cleaning it. I am concerned that I accidentally took some kind of finish off of that part of the slide with the solvent, bear in mind that the rest of the slide was also cleaned with the same solvent and is fine, just like new. I applied the solvent first to the patches and then used the patches to apply it to the gun.

This is my first gun so I'm a little paranoid. I continued to dry off the solvent then oil the entire slide and feed assembly, again using the patches, and wipe off the excess oil. The gun seems to function fine and does not seem to stick but I haven't fired it yet.

I know it's hard to tell without actually handling the firearm but is there a chance the solvent damaged that area of the slide?

Thanks guys.

CampingJosh · 02-20-2011, 07:29 PM

You're talking slide, so you're talking entirely stainless steel with the melonite finish, right?

Solvent didn't do anything to damage that. It's more likely that you've just now noticing some tooling marks and roughness to the inside of the slide. It's not uncommon, and it's not an issue. If you don't like it, you can polish it up, but as long as it doesn't hinder the function of the pistol (and there is no reason it would), I wouldn't worry about it.

New Guy · 02-20-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

You're talking slide, so you're talking entirely stainless steel with the melonite finish, right?

Solvent didn't do anything to damage that. It's more likely that you've just now noticing some tooling marks and roughness to the inside of the slide. It's not uncommon, and it's not an issue. If you don't like it, you can polish it up, but as long as it doesn't hinder the function of the pistol (and there is no reason it would), I wouldn't worry about it.

LOL, I know this must sound stupid, and it does have "STAINLESS STEEL" stamped on the outside of the slide, so I'm sure you're right... The fact of the rest of the slide is fine also makes me think I'm just being paranoid... I just wanted to hear it from some other people who I know are more knowledgeable than myself.

Hey, I picked the handle NG for a reason... the F in front is implied.

New Guy · 02-20-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeverGunner

Most likely you're talking about graining in the finish. pics would help to determine for sure what you're experiencing. Hoppes as in #9?

Yes, Hoppes #9... pics to come.

New Guy · 02-20-2011, 08:09 PM

CampingJosh · 02-20-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Guy

Hey, I picked the handle NG for a reason... the F in front is implied.

A couple years from now, we're going to have to get that name changed for you. Maybe something along the lines of "Another guy who has spent WAY too much money on steel and lead." Or maybe something shorter.

New Guy · 02-20-2011, 08:58 PM

Pics posted above... you can see obviously the changes in texture... normal or not normal?

New Guy · 02-20-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeverGunner

That is casting marks. It looks as if the finish is wearing off. It's perfectly normal.

Thanks... I've only had the gun for about a month and shot it twice, would it be wearing off already? Will this ever become a problem if enough wears off, (i.e. make the slide more susceptible to rust... which it pry won't do because it's stainless?)

Thanks again guys.

New Guy · 02-20-2011, 10:21 PM

Thanks Lever, I'll think about contacting S&W, I'm pretty sure this things has a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects, which I'm sure this would fall under.

Boris · 02-21-2011, 07:52 AM

S&W does have awesome CS, give them a call. I also believe their slides are not cast so something else is going on there...

Jim Hauff · 02-21-2011, 09:51 AM

IIRC - S&W slides are not "cast", they are machined from billet. Call them, that doesn't look exactly right to me, but then WTH do I know?

Boris · 02-21-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Guy

Thanks... I've only had the gun for about a month and shot it twice, would it be wearing off already? Will this ever become a problem if enough wears off, (i.e. make the slide more susceptible to rust... which it pry won't do because it's stainless?)

Thanks again guys.

Just fully read that. Just an FYI, Stainless will rust, it just typicaly takes longer so if the finish is really wearing off the stainless will be prone to rusting.

Helix_FR · 02-21-2011, 11:39 AM

I would contact S&W. The slides are machined from stainless billet. Those look like voids in the billet and should not be there. I've never seen that happen on any M&P even with the nastiest of solvents.

Bobitis · 02-21-2011, 11:50 AM

What Helix said.^

That's a poor casting at best.

New Guy · 02-21-2011, 06:42 PM

I called them and tried to describe the problem to them, they said basically it's something that may be covered or may not even be something wrong. I don't want to go through the trouble of sending the thing off if they're not going to replace it it so I'll just wait a couple of days. I sent them an e-mail with the same picture I posted here but they said they typically don't get around to checking their e-mails until Tuesday or Wednesday.

New Guy · 02-23-2011, 09:03 PM

Could this be the beginning of rust or corrosion? I was doing some looking around on the internet and saw quite a bit about S&W having some problems with the finish on these a while back. I'm taking it back to the place I bought it on Friday to have someone who knows what they're looking at (unlike myself) look at it.

Kenjs1 · 02-24-2011, 10:17 AM

do you have a trusted smith? If so let him take a look. It won't be anything he hasn't seen before. Taking it back to the place you bought it MAY be helpful. All depends on who is there. Compare the feel of yours to the feel of a new one. Rest easy, I don't think this is your fault.

Helix_FR · 02-24-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Guy

Could this be the beginning of rust or corrosion? I was doing some looking around on the internet and saw quite a bit about S&W having some problems with the finish on these a while back. I'm taking it back to the place I bought it on Friday to have someone who knows what they're looking at (unlike myself) look at it.

No its the result of a improperly cooled end mill or voids in the billet.

ozo · 02-24-2011, 10:36 AM

For a little piece of mind temporarily, I'd do this:
Take it back where you bought it.
Get out another one they have.
Break them both down and compare the two.

New Guy · 03-20-2011, 09:45 PM

So I went back to the gun store that sent out my M&P today to pick it up. Smith received the gun on the 3rd so I was pretty happy to get it back rather quickly until I found out why.

Bear in mind, after I sent the gun in via the shop I called Smith to make sure they received it, they did. I briefly described the issue to the person I spoke with on the phone and he told me I would most likely get the gun back with a new slide, which would be acceptable.

So they bring the gun out to me, I take it down right there on the counter and they did NOTHING to it except test fire it. To make matters worse, the shop can't find the invoice to see what, if anything Smith and Wesson did.

Out it goes again, the shop manager told me he's going to call them out before they send it and find out

A) what they did and
B) what they're gonna do

It's a shame because I really like this gun, but I'm having a horrible experience with Smith, who I know has a reputation for excellence in this department... ugh.

woolleyworm · 03-20-2011, 10:25 PM

The slide is not a huge expense outa SW's budget; I almost wonder if it actually made it to SW?? If it did, they HAD to have some paperwork on it. There should be at the bare minimum a shipping paperwork trail that you should be able to verify with the GS.
I'd be a little

and alot

; hope you can get it worked out.

TheGunClinger · 03-21-2011, 03:15 PM

As I was reading this I realized that I have A S&W M&P 9mm compact so I took off the slide just to check it out and mine is totally smooth. If it looked like yours I would be Po'ed. I'd be on their butts big time. Hope you get it fixed to your satisfaction.

New Guy · 03-21-2011, 07:20 PM

I know for a fact that S&W received it the first time because I called them to make sure.

The shop called S&W customer care today but didn't hear back from them. I told the shop to let me know once they send it to Smith and I'll pry call them and express my displeasure to see if they'll rush it this time. I bought this thing in January and I've now been without it more than I've had it.

02-20-2011, 07:16 PM	#1
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? Ok, so I went to the range yesterday and shot for about an hour. I have a simple Hoppe's kit... (read the barrel cleaning rod, hoppe's solvent, hops oil, and a pack of the patches.) I took down my M & P, did the outside of the slide, then did the underside of the top on the inside, the part you have to remove the slide spring and barrel to get at, with the solvent. I noticed after I did this that that area was rough to the touch and I don't remember if it was that way before I started cleaning it. I am concerned that I accidentally took some kind of finish off of that part of the slide with the solvent, bear in mind that the rest of the slide was also cleaned with the same solvent and is fine, just like new. I applied the solvent first to the patches and then used the patches to apply it to the gun. This is my first gun so I'm a little paranoid. I continued to dry off the solvent then oil the entire slide and feed assembly, again using the patches, and wipe off the excess oil. The gun seems to function fine and does not seem to stick but I haven't fired it yet. I know it's hard to tell without actually handling the firearm but is there a chance the solvent damaged that area of the slide? Thanks guys. __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me. -->

02-20-2011, 07:29 PM	#2
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? You're talking slide, so you're talking entirely stainless steel with the melonite finish, right? Solvent didn't do anything to damage that. It's more likely that you've just now noticing some tooling marks and roughness to the inside of the slide. It's not uncommon, and it's not an issue. If you don't like it, you can polish it up, but as long as it doesn't hinder the function of the pistol (and there is no reason it would), I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do.

02-20-2011, 08:09 PM	#5
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me.

02-20-2011, 08:58 PM	#7
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? Pics posted above... you can see obviously the changes in texture... normal or not normal? __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me.

02-21-2011, 07:52 AM	#10
Boris Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 607	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? S&W does have awesome CS, give them a call. I also believe their slides are not cast so something else is going on there...

02-20-2011, 10:21 PM	#9
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? Thanks Lever, I'll think about contacting S&W, I'm pretty sure this things has a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects, which I'm sure this would fall under. __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me.

02-21-2011, 09:51 AM	#11
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? IIRC - S&W slides are not "cast", they are machined from billet. Call them, that doesn't look exactly right to me, but then WTH do I know? __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

02-21-2011, 11:39 AM	#13
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,621	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? I would contact S&W. The slides are machined from stainless billet. Those look like voids in the billet and should not be there. I've never seen that happen on any M&P even with the nastiest of solvents. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

02-21-2011, 11:50 AM	#14
Bobitis Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6,612	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? What Helix said.^ That's a poor casting at best.

02-21-2011, 06:42 PM	#15
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? I called them and tried to describe the problem to them, they said basically it's something that may be covered or may not even be something wrong. I don't want to go through the trouble of sending the thing off if they're not going to replace it it so I'll just wait a couple of days. I sent them an e-mail with the same picture I posted here but they said they typically don't get around to checking their e-mails until Tuesday or Wednesday. __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me.

02-23-2011, 09:03 PM	#16
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? Could this be the beginning of rust or corrosion? I was doing some looking around on the internet and saw quite a bit about S&W having some problems with the finish on these a while back. I'm taking it back to the place I bought it on Friday to have someone who knows what they're looking at (unlike myself) look at it. __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me.

02-24-2011, 10:17 AM	#17
Kenjs1 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 19	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? do you have a trusted smith? If so let him take a look. It won't be anything he hasn't seen before. Taking it back to the place you bought it MAY be helpful. All depends on who is there. Compare the feel of yours to the feel of a new one. Rest easy, I don't think this is your fault.

02-24-2011, 10:36 AM	#19
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? For a little piece of mind temporarily, I'd do this: Take it back where you bought it. Get out another one they have. Break them both down and compare the two. __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-

03-20-2011, 09:45 PM	#20
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? So I went back to the gun store that sent out my M&P today to pick it up. Smith received the gun on the 3rd so I was pretty happy to get it back rather quickly until I found out why. Bear in mind, after I sent the gun in via the shop I called Smith to make sure they received it, they did. I briefly described the issue to the person I spoke with on the phone and he told me I would most likely get the gun back with a new slide, which would be acceptable. So they bring the gun out to me, I take it down right there on the counter and they did NOTHING to it except test fire it. To make matters worse, the shop can't find the invoice to see what, if anything Smith and Wesson did. Out it goes again, the shop manager told me he's going to call them out before they send it and find out A) what they did and B) what they're gonna do It's a shame because I really like this gun, but I'm having a horrible experience with Smith, who I know has a reputation for excellence in this department... ugh. __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me.

03-20-2011, 10:25 PM	#21
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? The slide is not a huge expense outa SW's budget; I almost wonder if it actually made it to SW?? If it did, they HAD to have some paperwork on it. There should be at the bare minimum a shipping paperwork trail that you should be able to verify with the GS. I'd be a little and alot ; hope you can get it worked out. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

03-21-2011, 03:15 PM	#22
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,382	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? As I was reading this I realized that I have A S&W M&P 9mm compact so I took off the slide just to check it out and mine is totally smooth. If it looked like yours I would be Po'ed. I'd be on their butts big time. Hope you get it fixed to your satisfaction. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

03-21-2011, 07:20 PM	#23
New Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	Re: Did I just toast the slide on my M&P? I know for a fact that S&W received it the first time because I called them to make sure. The shop called S&W customer care today but didn't hear back from them. I told the shop to let me know once they send it to Smith and I'll pry call them and express my displeasure to see if they'll rush it this time. I bought this thing in January and I've now been without it more than I've had it. __________________ I'm here because when I don't know things I find it's usually a good idea to ask people much smarter than me.