Smith & Wesson M&P "Jig Hole"

[webley6]

What is the purpose of the Jig Hole on the lower end of the M&P frame butt? I have a recently acquired 2" M&P from early 1956 that has this hole from side to side down from the open area for the mainspring. Based on a post I saw yesterday, this has been discussed before, but I missed it. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks! - webley6

 

[Targets Guy]

From what I have heard it had to do with the manufacturing process and at some point no longer needed it.

upload a gif

I have a pre-model 10 from 1950 with one and a '51 K-38 with one.

 

[jebstuart]

See, now I have "several" S&W's and have never seen, nor heard of this "jig hole" (that appears to be the proper name if it was a tooling aid). Every one of mine must be dated on either side of this trait. If I had seen this out in the wilds, I would have been completely dumbstruck. No surprise, libraries are packed with things I don't know. Thanks for the post.

 

[Doc44]

The jig hole in the frame was eliminated in late 1959 due to a change in the manufacturing process.

Bill