Gash in the slide after 50 rounds!?

[ChronicSPD]

I picked up my Sigma yesterday to clean it and I noticed something strange. There is a gash in the slide where the barrel meets and locks. I've only shot 50 rounds through this gun and, while I believe the damage is only cosmetic, I don't think it should have this kind of wear. It looks like when the barrel makes contact with the slide and moves up to lock it gashed the area right by the chambered round peep hole. Could you guys take a look at the pics and tell me what you think it's from and if this is something I should send it back to S&W for. Thanks in advance.

 

[srgvaz]

I would clean and smooth it up myself, but that's just me. That would be covered in the Warranty it your choice to do either.

 

[WR Moore]

It looks like a burr from machining the slide portion of the witness hole that's been turned by the barrel. If you notice, the breechface line in the witness hole in the last picture isn't completely straight. The first two pictures also show something of a lip at the edge of the witness hole. You could send a picture to S&W customer service just to get it on record.

I expect if it's returned to the factory, it'll get a swipe with a deburring tool, test fired and returned. Or, you could just deburr it yourself.

 

[DLL10mm]

My SW9VE has the same mark on the same spot.

 

[ChronicSPD]

If it's not something that indicates a bigger problem I'll take care of it myself, I was kinda thinking about polishing the slide anyway. Guess I'll have to break out the files when I do. Thanks

 

[Deltaboy]

Looks like a burr that got turned up. If you want to be extra safe call the 1-800 number on your paperwork and Smith will clean it up for you.

 

[DLL10mm]

To the OP:

Have you corrected this issue yet?
Mine has the same issue in the same spot. Sometimes when you close the slide slowly, it is sluggish before it locks up. I don't think this will cause any actual issues when firing. I will put another 100 rounds through it this weekend.

Anyone else have a similar mark on their Sigma?

 

[ChronicSPD]

No I haven't fixed it yet, but I have put about 600 rounds through it with no problems.

 

[stasher1]

I would clean and smooth it up myself, but that's just me. That would be covered in the Warranty it your choice to do either.

This what I would do as well. Simple fix and would probably take less time than boxing up the gun and driving somewhere to ship it.

 

[ChronicSPD]

Finally got around to fixing this today while I was polishing the sides of the slide and some of the internals. It never caused any problems, but it bothered me so I fixed it. The polishing is turning out nice. I've only made it to 400 grit so far and it looks pretty good, I plan on going to at least 800 grit before I'm done. I'll post pics when I can.

 

[KyWstJoe]

Finally got around to fixing this today while I was polishing the sides of the slide and some of the internals. It never caused any problems, but it bothered me so I fixed it. The polishing is turning out nice. I've only made it to 400 grit so far and it looks pretty good, I plan on going to at least 800 grit before I'm done. I'll post pics when I can.

This is what you get if you go to 2500 grit. Since the pic I have polished the entire slide.

 

[ChronicSPD]

That looks good, I might have to look around for something finer than 800 grit. I plan on doing the top of the slide too and only leaving the rounded edges matte... but I gotta get sights first.