Does anyone know if there are any mechanical differences between the S&W models 408284 and 108284? Talked to a lady in Customer Service and she guessed that since the 408284 is listed under Law Enforcement that it might not have all the safety features of the 108284,such as possibly the grip safety activated firing pin block,but she wasn't sure.

The firing pin safety is probably the reason. Most LE packages start out "3" and have 3 mags with them. S&W also only sells guns without firing pin safetys to LE, like the PPC9. The older 52s', 745s' and Super9s' that didn't have the FP safety are unsafe for us mere mortals.

I’m bumping this 11 year old thread up because I have a 408284 from 2006. Is there a way to tell if it has a firing pin block without taking it apart? I’m not interested in removing or changing it, I’m just interested if there is any difference in the standard and LE model other than magazine count? (Although mine came with two mags not three, if I remember correctly.)

The firing pin block is visible on the underside of the slide. Remove the slide, there you will likely find two spring loaded detents. One will likely be polymer, the other stainless steel. The larger round stainless steel one is the firing pin block. The corresponding lever beneath the block on the frame raises and disengages the firing pin block to fire when the trigger is pulled. The shape of the block is a center taper which means when not compressed, there isn't enough room for the firing pin to move forward to engage the primer on the chambered round. I've never seen a S&W Gen 1-3 without a firing pin block so I wouldn't know what to expect to see on the slide's underside; a hole or an unmilled section where a hole should be.

Haha -or-

Field strip the pistol and with the slide removed and the safety off (lever forward) use a ball point pen on the exposed rear of the firing pin and push forward as far as you can. If you see the firing pin protrude forward as it does under live fire, then there is no firing pin lock.

In my opinion, there is NO WAY than any LE org or even S&W would agree to ship a 3rd Gen with a deactivated firing pin lock.

I've owned, seen, purchased and been issued a lot of LE order 3rd gen guns from S&W. I never came across one without the firing pin block. And never heard of an agency ordering guns with it deleted.

Seen a few with no mag safety and a bunch of decock only - both had the lawyerese warnings laser etched on the slides.

But this is the first time I have ever heard of anyone being able to order guns with a safety feature removed. LE or not. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

A decade ago the O.P. (not the recent resurrector) reported that a lady at S&W cust. serv. told him that L.E. models might not have the "grip safety".

As we all know, S&W cust. serv. is no better than a flip of the coin, these days.

Ten years ago, nice as I'm certain the cust. serv. lady was, I've no doubt she might have gotten some of her facts wrong.

I wouldn't put much stock in that info.

John

She now has 11 years of experience, minimum.

She’s likely worse!

How 'bout the "TFP" model? No firing pin block, titanium firing pin

As already mentioned, the Product Codes that beginning with a "3" are Law Enforcement model codes.

The Product Codes that beginning with a "6" are "refurbished" for resale model codes.
(Prod. code# 608524 is a refurbished 108524, a M4013)

I think I recall they also used another first digit for refurbished models but I'm unable to find that reference.

Possibly Product Codes that beginning with a "4" are refurbished too??

.

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Waiting for the break of day