Quote:
Originally Posted by sjbrdn
Jim and Alan (or anyone),
What significance is it that my older m&p .38 (maybe a 1905) has a grooved extractor rod instead of extractor star locator pins?
Steve
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Steve,
Knowing the changes helps collectors indicate the chronology or date guns, otherwise the significance of changes is nothing more than that changes come about typically for one of two reasons:
1. It's an engineering improvement to correct an experienced or perceived weakness in the design or,
2. it's a change that will lessen production costs by streamlining the manufacturing process.
New models are created and designated by the factory when significant changes are made like frame size, etc.
Your particular gun # 89,XXX is the 3rd Model of the 38 M&P also known as the Model of 1905 because that's when the characteristic changes represented in the 3rd model were introduced.
Being serial numbered between 73,250 and 146,899, it's further identified by collectors (not the factory) as "1st Change" or "2nd Change" because again, it exhibits some minor change(s) incorporated between those serial numbers.
Recognize, however that changes did not happen specifically at a particular serial number, but rather were "transistioned" into the production and assembly process. Knowing what those changes were (like # of pins in the extractor) will help identify a gun's actual identity.
Therefore if you have a gun with a serial number in the '3rd Model 1905 serial range, you can determine if it's a 1st or 2nd change. For example, if you have two pins in the extractor, you have a 3rd Model 1905, 2nd change.
An interesting side note: You're probably familiar with the term "5 screw" model. Well the 38 M&P started life as a "4 screw" (no screw in front of the trigger guard for the cylinder stop bolt spring). One change introduced with the 3rd Model 38 M&P, of 1905 was the addition of the 5th screw; retained until about 1961 on the K and N frames; 1953 on the I and J frames.