Got a new PC Shield 45 without a safety a plus for me. Shot it today. It was 100% reliable. When I broke it down to clean I noticed several "dimples" in the inside top portion of the slide. It looks like someone attempted to drill into the slide but stopped when the bit began to make a hole. I have tried to attach a picture. Does anyone knows what these things are?

Attached Images

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it is my understanding these are codes for the milling machine used for that slide - that seems reasonable but I can't verify that

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Steve

It's an internal code used by S&W. You didn't clean the gun before shooting it the first time?

I never clean any of my guns before shooting them for the first time anymore. Glock and Ruger actually say not to. So I won't any longer.

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I would clean ANY new gun, and lube it...... BEFORE going to the range

My friend bought the same M&P40C from CDNN, that I did, and we went to the range, and the gun was BONE DRY.

You may be right, (And its too early for me to search) but I find it hard to believe that Glock and Ruger say to not to clean (Lube as well) before shooting

Always always break down and clean/lube ANY NEW GUN.
As for the dimples youll find them on EVERY shield slide.
My 40 and 45 have them.

Oh I wouldnt own a Glock or a Ruger(new one anyway) so I cant attest to the truth fullmess.
SW says to clean prior to 1st use.

I always have and will continue to do so.




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I clean, lube ~and~ inspect any new to me gun.

Russ P

At the least you should field strip the gun and inspect it, if not clean it, prior to shooting it the first time. There's always a possibility something may be obstructing the bore (a spider builds a nest in the barrel, for example, while the gun sat somewhere awaiting packaging) or some other problem/defect that slipped by the manufacturer.

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SWHF #448

I inspected the barrel with a barrel light, removed the slide but did not remove the barrel and recoil spring, lightly lubricated the rails before shooting. I did not do a complete breakdown and cleaning before the first firing. But why do these threads tend to get off topic and into criticism of the writer instead of staying on topic, in this case the dimples. The explanation of a milling code makes sense although I have never seen these on any other pistol. In fact I called S&W this morning and milling machine identification was their explanation.

It is like going to court. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Be glad you didn't post your question on the Glock forum.


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The dimples are to indicate which CNC machine made the piece. Some say it's braille for the blind (Visually Challenged for the PC crowd) QC department.

I'm no Ruger expert, but the Glock manual still says to field strip and clean prior to first use . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Each manufacturer has their own directions. Wilson Combat is very emphatic that their pistols should not be stripped before their first 300-500 rounds. I would lube it, of course, but that does not require any stripping at all - a few drops of slip in the slide rails and on the barrel (rubbed around) and off we go. My recollection is that Glock does advocate stripping and cleaning.

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NHI, 10-8.

I've seen that kind of dimpling on slides of different manufacturers.
I always kinda thought it was to remove weight/balance the slide for the stock spring that was to be used in it. Never thought that it was CNC machine code of sorts. Learn something new almost everyday....LOL

Congrats on the new Shield 45.

The machined "dimples" identify manufacturing info, such as the date/time of production, CNC machine & operator, etc. Helps the company trace any potential manufacturing problems that may surface at some later time.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Guilty of never cleaning a new gun before the first trip to the range. 99% of all the ones I've purchased are usually soaked in oil/grease.

Many have asked about the dimples, what ever they are there for S&W put them there on purpose.
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To clean or not to clean
This is like the old wives tails. From back when guns were all steel , mass produced & packed away in cosmoline. The last time I saw anything like this is a Taurus pt1911 I got on sale a few years ago it was packed in something & even warped in a oil paper, it was a real pain to clean.
I am by no means trying to discourage people from inspecting, cleaning, becoming familiar with their new firearm before they shoot it.
I think the only thing that firing it right out of the box does is make the first cleaning harder.
If you buy a gun at a shop that has a range & you , like I , want to shoot it right then a good wipe down is all that you need.

Yes, the dimples are a "fingerprint" from the machine that made them. That way if there is a QC issue, they can go to the responsible machine instead of shutting down the entire line.

I believe this is another reason to clean a new gun before taking it to the range. I would at least be sure any grease in the bore is removed before shooting. Just my opinion as you have apparently experienced no residual problems after shooting yours soaked in oil/grease.

To stay on track, my Shield has the dimples.

You are correct! It's your gun...do as you please. I would wager it somehow survived the range trip just fine. Enjoy!

The replies in this thread are meant well but I assume if you wanted opinions on new gun procedures/first range trip procedures/lubrication/inspection, ect...you would have asked. Continue to post and just sidestep the replies you weren't looking for...you will get plenty that will be helpful, too. Thread drift is a natural phenomenon...