Wondering if there is a reason that nobody makes aftermarket M&P slides similar to what ZEV and others do with Glock slides. I assume it has to do with patent issues but wondering if anyone here knows for sure?

Why mess with perfection?


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Aim small miss small

You mean like what ATEi does?



http://ateiguns.com/

I think he's talking about Lone Wolf type slides. Atei does mill work on a provided slide. I've wondered the same question myself.

I don't understand the question. Why would you want to change out the slide? I don't understand this for any pistol. I guess I could see some value in doing some personalizing or small modifications for a specific purpose, but all that can be done to the factory slide.

What would be the value in an aftermarket slide?

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Freedom isn't free.

I bought a Zev slide for my Glock. All of the changes I have made can easily be switched back to factory when/if needed.

My thinking is that you should be able to buy an aftermarket slide for the price of what many places are charging to do work on your existing slide. That way you would still have the factory slide should you ever decide you wanted it or decide to sell the gun.

You'll have to convice someone there's a market that will justify the expense of determining the materials and dimensions of the slide plus the cost of the necessary tooling and machine programming. In addition, he has the cost of losing the production of whatever he regularly makes while setting up and making the run of slides. This is all assuming there's no patents involved.

Outside of 1911 slides, the only independentlly produced slides I'm aware of off the top of my head are for various .22 conversion units and the reinforced slide (in the locking block area) for the Beretta 92. Whoever did those initially, did so on some type of developmental contract (allegedly with military roots), unsure of funding source. Beretta did adopt the slide on some of their pistols.

Unless you can find someone with a machine shop who likes a challenge or you can pony up for say, 5K slides, I do believe you need to see S&W for a slide.

HUH?????

I have looked to see if there is a patent and was unable to find one. Does not mean there isn't one however. From what I understand the aftermarket Glock slides being made are slightly different than factory Glock slides because of a trademark Glock has.

For sure you can get things made in less than 5K per run. Weather or not there would be enough people to make it worth it is a different story.

I'm guessing that the guys doing machine work on factory slides are staying busy and I would also guess that there are guys who decide to buy a Glock based on the fact that they have less aftermarket options with the M&P. For the record I have both and am happy with both.

Well said. Anyone doing this will have to sell thousands just to break even. If there's not a big demand for this like there is on 1911's, it's just not worth it. GARY

Can you buy a stripped M&P frame?

I think that is why you see aftermarket Glock slides... You can buy a stripped frame and assemble a pistol from parts, and the frame being the only Glock factory part.

I believe this to be a major factor for sure.

I have seen M&P factory slides for sale. The sources seem to have dried up, but they were out there at one time.

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Freedom isn't free.

If Glocks didn't suck people wouldn't need to change out the slides.

Poke poke poke.....hahaha

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Matt H.

I thought I read somewhere that they stopped selling them.

Smith & Wesson Slide Assembly Night Sights S&W M&P 9mm Luger

Smith & Wesson Slide Assembly Night Sights S&W M&P 40 S&W

Those would be an option for sure. In order to get serrations you would still have to send the off and it gets expensive. Here is a link for a place that does serrations.

Serrations - S&W M&P - Innovative Gunfighter Solutions

My thinking is that you could sell an aftermarket equivalent slide for less than the price of the defensive package. If someone was set up to make slides they could also make longer and other variation slides for competitive shooters and others who want them.

Looking like I am wrong however and Glock may be the better option for those customers.

I think that since there apparently are no aftermarket slides for the M&P out there that if I needed or wanted one I would pick up a pd trade in for $299. Keep the slide and sell the frame to some poor schlep who screwed up a home stippling job. Probably make enough to pay for part of the mill work.