jyezahn, Thanks! I pulled my slide off and held it next too his picture and Mine looks just like his does best that I can tell.. But I have no issues with my gun.. I do use a drop of oil on the center part in the slide that the hammer makes contact with and rides on. I would think most of any sticking would be from that.. I also treated the same part with Seal 1 lube.. I found if that part is run dry like S&W seems to suggest by not including it in the clean & lube in there manual it does tend to stick a bit..Again still don't see the gouge.. George