I have purchased the SD9VE last month new, and now have about 350 rounds through it. I had noticed a play in the rear of the slide (side to side) the day I purchased it. After some research, some said it was designed "loose" to allow for dirt and such, and still function. But on the last cleaning, (which I religiously do after every range session), I had noticed the polymer on the rails had wore a grove in it via the slide. Is this normal wear and tear, or do I have something to worry about. Thanks in advance, new fellow member.

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At the very rear it looks like you may have some wear on the polymer but I can't tell for sure.
None of my SD9VEs have much side to side play at all. How much play would you estimate? A few thousandths?

Looks normal.

Even HK's, known to be some of the most accurate out of the box polymer framed guns out there have some slide play. If it ain't broke and all that.

The only exception may be a 1911 bullseye gun. Those fellas get upset about that.

Looks like a little wear on the polymer behind the rail to me to. My SD9VE does not have that on it and I have alot of rounds through the gun. Did you shoot it dry with no lube or oil on it or very little if that at all ever? Does the slide anywhere on that side of the gun feel like it has any steel burs protruding from it slightly? I lube my SD9VE up very meticulously when I shoot but I do that with all my guns as well. Not so much that I use a huge amount but I make sure to place it very evenly along every area of the gun that I know may have metal contact even if it is some on the polymer areas along the rail areas where the slide rides. I also do not use oil on my guns. I use gun grease, because it stays where you put it and does not run off or evaporate at all during long shooting sessions. It lubes the gun and keeps them in much better running condition than oils do I believe for sure. I hate oil lol!! Only use oil on parts that do not actually have metal to metal contact, if theres any metal to metal contacts or metal to polymer contact even possibly anywhere on your gun use some grease there evenly. Just my opinion. Keep an eye on that area and put a fine layer of grease in that area and the slide rails and slide grooves. My SD9VE also had a very minimal amount of side to side play on the slide even right out of the box brand new which I believe is totally normal, but its very,very,very little. But like I said it has no visable wear on the polymer anywhere in that area. But like Rick said above if its functioning perfectly and everythings good, it is possible it can just be wear I guess to.

I would think that in any case the slide should not touch the polymer. It doesn't rub at all in my sample of one.