^Agreed and to add a fine extra point to the above...

S&W made massive shiploads of these pistols and MANY of the parts are shared across models which mean many many parts are out there. Less barrels, slides and frames for sure, but the fact is that those are also out there sometimes too.

One other thing that we have seen countless examples of...

S&W customer service seems to give wildly different answers depending on the day you call them. We can come to SOME conclusions every time someone offers an example of a recent interaction, but it doesn't mean it is the law going forward.

S&W has always been a mixed bag when it comes to getting help.