S&W Decockers: Slide- vs. Frame-mounted?

[M&P777]

A few questions about decocker levers:

(1) Why do some manufacturers predominantly go with a slide-mounted decocker lever (S&W, Beretta, Walther) but others prefer a frame-mounted lever (Sig)?

(2) I once presumed ergonomics alone determined where a company decided to locate the decocker lever, but my recent acquisition of a 5926 (frame-mounted decocker) has gotten me to wonder if one approach is cheaper to manufacture than the other. S&W has always favored the slide-mounted design. Is it cheaper/simpler for the manufacturer to locate the decocker on the slide rather than on the frame?

(3) Was the frame-mounted decocker-only 5926 of the early 1990s the result of some law enforcement agency's request? Or was the 5926 simply S&W's answer to Sig's frame-mounted decocker only pistols like the P226?

Thanks for your insights.

 

[KurtC]

Frame mounted decocking levers are far less expensive. They are usually made of stamped steel and the frames require little additional milling.

The slide mounted safeties come from the German Walther pistols that were the only real models to copy when Smith started making DA pistols. It is not very popular today, but was considered state of the art in early 1960's.

I see both versions falling by the wayside in the not-too-destant future. DAO or striker fired are far easier to train new shooters with, and most LE contracts are moving in that direction.

 

[handgunner356]

I believe the first frame mounted decocker lever on the Smiths' was the 1076 10mm, at the request of the FBI. Back in the days of the gun-of-month at S&W(might have been every week in some cases) it was hard to keep up with all the variations. If they thought it would sell, they made it. I didn't think that would be possible with guns like the M&P, but they're proving me wrong.