Speaking of serial numbers...

[Dr.um]

The new M&P Compact 22 models come equipped with a little dot matrix thingy right next to the serial number.

What is the story with these? What do they tell a "reader"?

Have these appeared on any other new S&W's?

Curious.

Anyone know anything about these?

 

[1hatchet]

Yes, there is one my Shield 9 manufacture of 04/11/14.

Believe it is called an OR Code or Bar Code.

 

[Llando88]

It is one way to use an Item Unique ID Code aka IUID code.

Item Unique Identification - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is a fast way to identify serialized items.

Use 'em at work. We've got code readers that can read the codes in an eye blink. Very handy.

I have one on my Nov '13 build M&P FS9.

 

[Nomadic Vagabond]

Yes, there is one my Shield 9 manufacture of 04/11/14.

Believe it is called an OR Code or Bar Code.

It's called a QR code

 

[Bkreutz]

There's a smart phone app for that. (My son put it on mine, never have used it along with 98% of the other stuff that the phone will do)

 

[Dr.um]

Just so I am clear...if you aim your "reader" app at that spot, what will it tell you? Just the serial number?

More?

I admit, I am kinda surprised people are not more curious about these little info matrixes on our firearms.

Seems to me it is at least as exciting as "lawyer locks" in terms of modern nuances with our Smiths.

 

[Harkrader]

QR code - legally removable?

Since the gun will still have an engraved serial number, and, I am told, new ones have yet another concealed somewhere, can I scrape it off? Legally, that is.

 

[GerSan69]

I tried it with my QR scan on my phone and it wouldn't work.
IMHO unless you know what you're doing, I wouldn't mess with anything that's even possibly a serial number. Never heard of a second location on an M&P.... any truth to this?

 

[Rastoff]

It's a government tracking device.

I tried it with my QR scan on my phone and it wouldn't work.

While it's like a QR, the phone method won't work. You need a special scanner with a laser. The pic your phone takes isn't fine enough to read it. We have something similar at work and it's only a number.

 

[Mountain Walker]

It's a government tracking device.

I just knew it! Did you hear that on the Glen Beck Show or read it in "Lucky Wayne's" editorial page of the Rifleman?