Another NIB with HOLES in straps. 629-6

[tmd17]

My 629-6 has the holes also
....

Looks like it is becoming more regular.

 

[Troutscout]

Clue to mystery holes

Found a clue to the mystery holes. The guns.com factory tour shows forged stock at revolver A-cut with the mystery holes appearing at 18:28. Interesting... but still no explanation. [ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhZz6JBrHc[/ame]

 

[Troutscout]

Clue to mystery holes

Correction...it appears at 5:54.
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhZz6JBrHcc[/ame]

 

[1911 45]

I just bought a new 629 5 inch barrel yesterday born on date 5/23/2023 took the grip's off and it has the holes. I also bought a new 5" 686-357 model a couple months ago with a born on date 01/05/22 it also has the holes. Looks like the holes are here to stay.

 

[jem102]

A 66-8 purchased 2 years ago has them for what it's worth...

 

[tmd17]

Correction...it appears at 5:54. ....

The holes appear during the "first cutting" in the cnc machine. Perhaps they are some sort of test cuts??

 

[steelslaver]

Indexes of some sort

 

[Dvus]

They are 80% frames. You have to finish them yourself by drilling hales at the specified marks. The guns won't function otherwise.


Joking!!! (***, I can see someone taking that seriously.)

 

[SweetMK]

They are 80% frames. You have to finish them yourself by drilling hales at the specified marks. The guns won't function otherwise.


Joking!!! (***, I can see someone taking that seriously.)

I finished drilling those holes to mount a "GANGSTA STYLE" red dot,,,

 

[scruffy]

My NIB 686-6 shipped 4/17/23 hit the motherlode of mystery grip frame holes. Extra, extra special!

 

[shovelhead]

Like the braille markings on drive up ATM's?

Local Kroger has a lottery scratch off ticket vending machine that has Braille on it.

 

[Chuck24]

Maybe we can get Lawrence Fishburne to do an Unsolved Mysteries episode.

 

[MetalMan]

Maybe "lightweighting" to save on metal costs?

 

[Jim Watson]

Like all those automatics with Buick Cruiserline Ventiports in the slide?

 

[tmd17]

Yesterday a little 351C that came in that had the holes. More and more I am thinking they are test holes for the cutters. A reminder to some that EDM cutters will make a hole that looks like these holes.

 

[tgmr05]

Here are the two most recent smith 69, one is a few months old, the other a couple years. The 2 3/4 is the newest and has the holes, the 4 1/4 is a couple years old and does not.

 

[schutz5]

First it was the lock hole.
Now the grip frame holes!

 

[tmd17]

tgmr05 - Thanks for the report. Hopefully others will let us know if their new S&W wheel guns have the holes as well.

 

[junglefighter]

My 629-6 Deluxe 3" bbl. that I bought 24 June 2022 has the holes. I do not know the mfg. date DRD22XX.

 

[Pisgah]

The ones with holes are designed with electronic devices that deactivate the gun with a push of the button on Joe Biden's desk...