What Is This On My 2.0 Frame?

[wingspar]

The red arrow points to something I noticed while taking photos of my new M&P 2.0. I looked in the manual, and the manual has a red arrow pointing to the serial number (don’t need the manual to figure that one out) but nothing on that little digital symbol. What is it?

[gonerydin]

Scan it and find out


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[McE]

It's called a QR code. Maybe your phone can pick it up with an app, but I'm guessing it's more just for S&W serial tracking during production. Many people say it's too small for their phone cams to pick up on.

[wingspar]

Originally Posted by McE

It's called a QR code. You can scan it by getting an app for your phone and using your phone's camera. Should take you to a webpage.

I don't own a smart phone. I have no way to do that and I doubt my other half would let me do that with her phone, but Googleing QR code tells me a lot. Sounds like something S&W uses during the building process to keep track of parts?

[Funflyer]

That's so when you walk outside your home with your sidearm, a gubment spy satellite can track your every move, I'd put a piece of black electrical tape over it ASAP.

[0849]

Originally Posted by Funflyer

That's so when you walk outside your home with your sidearm, a gubment spy satellite can track your every move, I'd put a piece of black electrical tape over it ASAP.

Aluminum foil works better

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

Originally Posted by 0849

Aluminum foil works better

No - you wrap that around your head!

[okiegtrider]

My Shield has one too!

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by McE

It's called a QR code.

It's not a QR code and your phone won't scan it. Those look like this:


Even so, the matrix on your 2.0 is a scan code. You'd need a special scanner to read it. They will become more and more common as time goes by.

Manufacturing companies use them to track products. It contains information such as serial number, date of manufacture, who made it, what line it came off of and so on.

One thing to take note of, it is an identifying mark of the gun. Do not try to remove it. It has the same legal status as the serial number.

[dkals]

Since you do not have a smart phone the Gov't has no interest in you. "Sir he has a dumb phone. Next".

[jim46ok]

Originally Posted by wingspar

I don't own a smart phone. I have no way to do that and I doubt my other half would let me do that with her phone, but Googleing QR code tells me a lot. Sounds like something S&W uses during the building process to keep track of parts?

She would object to you taking a picture with her phone? Problem there.....

[Ray1970]

I also think the military might be starting to require these on their weapons for some sort of tracking/inventory system so they'll know which department/unit/people the weapons were issued to. Some law enforcement departments might be doing something similar.

It's possible S&W incorporated this into the 2.0 when it was submitted for the military's MHS trials.

[NCW Ray]

At least it's a bit more subdued on M2.0's than it is on this Sig.

[wingspar]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

It's not a QR code and your phone won't scan it. Those look like this:

Even so, the matrix on your 2.0 is a scan code. You'd need a special scanner to read it. They will become more and more common as time goes by.

Manufacturing companies use them to track products. It contains information such as serial number, date of manufacture, who made it, what line it came off of and so on.

One thing to take note of, it is an identifying mark of the gun. Do not try to remove it. It has the same legal status as the serial number.

Thank you. That’s some good info.

[wingspar]

Originally Posted by NCW Ray

At least it's a bit more subdued on M2.0's than it is on this Sig.

That right there is ugly. I’d cover it up with a piece of electrical tape. Should someone need to see it, just peel the tape off.

[ken158]

21st century - the IL is here, gun coding will be the norm and nobody cares what a few guys on a gun forum think... the old days are over.

[Disabled1]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

It's not a QR code and your phone won't scan it. Those look like this:


Even so, the matrix on your 2.0 is a scan code. You'd need a special scanner to read it. They will become more and more common as time goes by.

Manufacturing companies use them to track products. It contains information such as serial number, date of manufacture, who made it, what line it came off of and so on.

One thing to take note of, it is an identifying mark of the gun. Do not try to remove it. It has the same legal status as the serial number.

I own an M&P 1.0 & 2.0 .40. Along with my 2.0, my 1.0 has a Matrix scan code on it. My LG smart phone has a Matrix app on it and I was able to scan the code on both of them. All they read was a bunch of numbers and letters.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by Disabled1

All they read was a bunch of numbers and letters.

Like I said, you need a special reader. We use something similar at work to keep track of equipment. I can scan it with my phone, but it just delivers garbage. If you have the correct scanner, you'd be surprised how much info can be packed in there.

[Steved13]

Originally Posted by NCW Ray

At least it's a bit more subdued on M2.0's than it is on this Sig.

That is actually a feature on the M11A1 Sig. It's called a UID Label.

[Kodiakco]

It's a 2D Data Matrix Code.

Data Matrix - Wikipedia

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[Disabled1]

I found it very odd that I learned about the Matrix code on my 1.0 in this forum. I didn't even know it was there, quite honestly. Then, a member here replied to my DETROIT PD M&P post and stated I had an M&P with all of the latest updates because of the Matrix code. I mean, I copied the serial #, which is right next to the Matrix code, but never paid attention to it.
The bonus part was that I learned my 1.0 M&P was made in 11/2015 with all of the latest M&P updates.

[jim46ok]

When I Cerakote any firearm with the "Code" I mask it off same as a Serial #.

[gwpercle]

Originally Posted by Funflyer

That's so when you walk outside your home with your sidearm, a gubment spy satellite can track your every move, I'd put a piece of black electrical tape over it ASAP.

Cut a small square of magnetic tape....from a refrigerator magnet and place over it....better than tin foil.

[wingspar]

Originally Posted by jackrabbit000

Time to retire the Blackberry. lol

Never owned one of them either. Blackberries were out long before I knew they weren’t something make pies out of and put on ice cream. I have an old flip up cell phone that gets used about once a month to keep the battery charged. I keep it around for emergencies when on the road. I have no use for a smart phone. To be honest, I growled when rotary phones became obsolete until got used to the push button stuff.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by ken158

21st century - the IL is here, gun coding will be the norm and nobody cares what a few guys on a gun forum think... the old days are over.

What's the difference between that coding and scratched parts numbers found all over guns from "the old days"?

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[Disabled1]

Originally Posted by wingspar

Never owned one of them either. Blackberries were out long before I knew they weren’t something make pies out of and put on ice cream. I have an old flip up cell phone that gets used about once a month to keep the battery charged. I keep it around for emergencies when on the road. I have no use for a smart phone. To be honest, I growled when rotary phones became obsolete until got used to the push button stuff.

You remind me of my dad. He has said numerous times that the telephone is the worst invention ever made. His current phone is mounted on the kitchen wall, rotary dial, with a 2' cord.

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

One thing to take note of, it is an identifying mark of the gun. Do not try to remove it. It has the same legal status as the serial number.

Although I agree with the advice not to remove it, I have my doubts about this matrix having the "same legal status" as the serial number - implying that defacing or removing it is a crime.

I would like to see a statute or other legal reference to this. Or, if this is just a personal opinion, or if you are repeating something you heard from someone else, or if it is an agency requirement, I would like to know the source. I have always thought these were for inventory control only - for either assembly or the end-user.

A clarification would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Rastoff]

CA PC 23900

Any person who changes, alters, removes, or obliterates the name of the maker, model, manufacturer’s number, or other mark of identification, including any distinguishing number or mark assigned by the Department of Justice, on any pistol, revolver, or any other firearm, without first having secured written permission from the department to make that change, alteration, or removal shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.

Of course other states might be different, but it is definitely a mark of identification. Notice that this code also includes manufacturer's number, name of maker and model.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by shawn mccarver

Although I agree with the advice not to remove it, I have my doubts about this matrix having the "same legal status" as the serial number - implying that defacing or removing it is a crime.

Well, it took a while, but I did contact S&W. Here is their response:

Originally Posted by Kate Fredette from S&W

The dot matrix is the serial number. I do not know of any other information it holds.

Thank you
Kate Fredette
Customer Service

So, it is the serial number. Removing it would indeed be a crime.

[bsmiley]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

It's not a QR code and your phone won't scan it. Those look like this:


Even so, the matrix on your 2.0 is a scan code. You'd need a special scanner to read it. They will become more and more common as time goes by.

Manufacturing companies use them to track products. It contains information such as serial number, date of manufacture, who made it, what line it came off of and so on.

One thing to take note of, it is an identifying mark of the gun. Do not try to remove it. It has the same legal status as the serial number.

Painting over it with a paint pen isn't allowed?

[wingspar]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

So, it is the serial number. Removing it would indeed be a crime.

Mmm... That doesn’t make any sense to have the scan code say nothing but the serial number right next to the stamped serial number.

[RETOKSQUID]

They are on the shields as well, haven't seen any on the revolvers though. Always figured that they were a combination of the sn and parts tracking of the frames.

[yellowtr]

I noticed it on my M&P Pro 9mm. So it is just not on the 2.0 version. I will have to check if it is on my Victory.

[manderle]

Originally Posted by wingspar

Mmm... That doesn’t make any sense to have the scan code say nothing but the serial number right next to the stamped serial number.

For inventory and shipping it's faster and more accurate to scan this than type the serial number in on electronic forms/databases with the risk of "fat-fingering" the serial number

[wingriderz]

Originally Posted by NCW Ray

At least it's a bit more subdued on M2.0's than it is on this Sig.

Uh at least it's not a Big GRIP ZONE on the grips

[Arik]

Originally Posted by wingriderz

Uh at least it's not a Big GRIP ZONE on the grips

Hahahaha!!!!

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[cervri]

My phone scanned it it said hello with a smiley

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[0849]

Originally Posted by okiegtrider

My Shield has one too!

I am very glad to see that you are providing equal protection for our feline buddies

[Disabled1]

Originally Posted by gwpercle

Cut a small square of magnetic tape....from a refrigerator magnet and place over it....better than tin foil.

I live in Avoyelles Parish, but grew up in the BR/Prairieville area. I graduated from St.Amant.
Where in BR are some good indoor/outdoor ranges? I have been gone from La. for awhile (25 years) and am tired of the limited gun ranges here. My family has a lot of farmland I shoot on often, but I like going to a good/nice indoor range every now and again.

[Hotshot9]

[QUOTE=Disabled1;139689720]I live in Avoyelles Parish, but grew up in the BR/Prairieville area. I graduated from St.Amant.
Where in BR are some good indoor/outdoor ranges? I have been gone from La. for awhile (25 years) and am tired of the limited gun ranges here.


Join a local gun club, most have indoor ranges. That's what I did and was the best thing I have done in a long time. Now I shoot more and it's a great place to try out new loads for all my different guns. The best part are the people I have met, and all the activities offered at our club.

I have an indoor range very close to me that I went to often, but $15.00 for 1/2 hour was adding up fast.. Now I drive further but well worth it. I can take my time and focus on shooting and not the clock. Our range is open 24/7.

Good luck and happy shooting!

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'm pretty lucky. I practice in St. Mary Parish and have use of the Sheriff office range which has both pistol and a 110 yard rifle range. Unless I piss them off too much on cross exam on motion day
As far as that mark on the M&P it is part of an agreement betwwwn Smith and a prior administration. In exchange for non passage of more restrictive gun laws Smith agreed to install next to the serial number a tracking chip that would allow NSA to track the location of all M&P's sold. It will eventually be phased in to all guns produced.
Annnd now I'm leaving............

[Jessie]

If a consumer of a gun that has a matrix stamp on it doesn't have a reader, which appears to require a special reader, how can they possibly know that it is a serial number punishable by law to remove?
It's not stated anywhere with included manuals or literature.
I guess gun owners must also become clairvoyant or something.
I wouldn't want to be the test case, but it seems like a reasonable defense could be mounted.

[Jessie]

I was just thinking...maybe it's to beat those who obscure their numerical serial numbers in photos?
Wingspar, they may have your number!

[gwpercle]

Originally Posted by Disabled1

I live in Avoyelles Parish, but grew up in the BR/Prairieville area. I graduated from St.Amant.
Where in BR are some good indoor/outdoor ranges? I have been gone from La. for awhile (25 years) and am tired of the limited gun ranges here. My family has a lot of farmland I shoot on often, but I like going to a good/nice indoor range every now and again.

The one I frequent is Precision Firearms at 11426 Cloverland . Another is FRC Indoor Shooting at 9378 South Choctaw.
There is another in Baker at 3220 Jefferson Street . Check over at the Bayou Shooters Site for more locations .
Gary

[0849]

Originally Posted by Jessie

If a consumer of a gun that has a matrix stamp on it doesn't have a reader, which appears to require a special reader, how can they possibly know that it is a serial number punishable by law to remove?
It's not stated anywhere with included manuals or literature.
I guess gun owners must also become clairvoyant or something.
I wouldn't want to be the test case, but it seems like a reasonable defense could be mounted.

You hit the nail right on the head Jessie, "I wouldn't want to be the test case, but it seems like a reasonable defense could be mounted." You never want to be a test case involving some new requirement that has not yet had all the ramifications ironed out through the various agencies and courts. Unless you are independently wealthy or an attorney with a lot of free time and looking for busy work, getting involved in a test case, even if you win, you still lose - time, money for attorneys, stress, aggravation, etc.
Stay frosty and stay out of court

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by wingspar

Mmm... That doesn’t make any sense to have the scan code say nothing but the serial number right next to the stamped serial number.

Doesn't make any sense to me either, but that's straight from S&W. It is what it is.

Originally Posted by Jessie

I wouldn't want to be the test case, but it seems like a reasonable defense could be mounted.

I agree with you. Neither would I want to be the test case. I also think it could be a reasonable defense. Even so, the law simply says you can't remove any identifying mark. Don't remove it and it won't be an issue.

[DocGlock]

Wingspar, I scanned it with my at&t phone and the attached pic is what it decoded.
I blocked out 3 digits of what I think would be your s/n.

[Disabled1]

Originally Posted by cervri

My phone scanned it it said hello with a smiley

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I just scanned it and received the same thing. It read "HELLO" along with an emoji smile.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by NE1955

Who told you this?

See post #30.