Stripe on Right side of S&W M&P .40 slide ?!? Why?

[STEEL CORE]

Well last month at Deer Camp in Michigan, my brother who is a Lieutenant in a Detroit area Police department, (Who is issued a Glock-22) showed me a Police Trade in S&W M&P .40 he bought.
It looked nice and I looked it over, but like a dummy didn't take it out back of the Cabin and shoot it.

Fast forward a couple weeks and on a local Indiana Gun Board (INGO), I spot an as new unfired, no box, one magazine, no manual, or extra backstraps included, with 2010 dated Trijicons, M&P .40 for $325.

I bought it, the seller a much younger US Army Veteran like myself, said he bought it while in the Army, carried it a few times, n ever fired it,and lost the case and x tra magazine, during his last move to Indiana when he was medically discharged (Retired).

I am a GLOCK Aholic, but back in the day (BG) before Glock (80's), I had a few Smiths, now all gone unfortunately, except for the wife's 9mm Shield, so I do know a bit about them.

I will take this one out next Thursday with a precious box of .40 FMJ, and give it a whirl.

HOWEVER,

My question, as you look at the right side of the slide, the right side of the slide there is a grey white stripe, kinda reflectorized, NOT A PIECE OF TAPE, its on there, Im not going to paint it over, but have never seen one like it, it is permanently on there, you cannot peel or scratch it off, there is no printing under it, but I believe my brothers has something printed there that you can clearly read.

Can anyone tell me why it is there?

SORRY I TRIED TO POST PICS.... but its not happening?

It is a 2010 model, another question should or did it come in a black or blue plastic Smith Box, as I am trying to find one on E Bay. I want to put it back to the as original status as I can, what would it have come with, new in a box?

I ordered 3 used magazines for it off gunbroker, and it should be a nice house gun range toy.

Any Help on this appreciated.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Sorry DV serial number …………..

Photos can be found here in another (Forgive me) forum

Forgive me Glockers for I have sinned! | GlockTalk Forum

 

[Fishinfool]

Somebody, I think either Midway or Natchez has the plastic S&W boxes for like $10 new. They are blue, and I am pretty sure that's what it shipped in, my M&P .45c did anyway.

Looking at your pics, not sure what that stripe is you mention?

Larry

 

[murphydog]

The photos on the other site are grayed out, but my guess would be it has a department or property stamp under the silver covering. And someone definitely didn’t want it to see the light of day.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Thank you I will look for a box, checking other photos on line I see some are marked CAUTION CAPABLE OF FIRING WITH MAGAZINE REMOVED, but mine has no etching or roll mark notice under the stripe
[ strip ] just that line where it would go.

 

[BE Mike]

Looks like the stripe covers up the warning: "Capable of being fired when magazine is removed."

 

[murphydog]

Another good point. Does it work without the magazine in place? (And does the M & P .40 usually come with the magazine safety?)

 

[Saudade]

M&Ps came in both flavors, Mag safety and no mag safety. As noted above the no mag safety have the warning where the stripe is located. The mag safety slides have no marking there at all.

Since the mag safety is in the frame, you can get a new (or used) slide from the mag safety version to replace your current slide if you want.

 

[Pisgah]

I wonder -- could someone have installed the mag safety in this particulargun, then r

Thank you I will look for a box, checking other photos on line I see some are marked CAUTION CAPABLE OF FIRING WITH MAGAZINE REMOVED, but mine has no etching or roll mark notice under the stripe
[ strip ] just that line where it would go.

Could it be that the pistol was modified by adding the mag safety, and then the marking was removed? I'm fairly certain that if S&W had done the modification they would have eliminated the marking, but whether or not they would do it like that I have no clue.

 

[STEEL CORE]

No, it has the magazine safety, funny also the owner said it came that way to him, why the marking would be lasered out I don't know, I can live with it, or take a paint pen to it. The stripe is not deep into rthe slide like a marking was removed though.

 

[STEEL CORE]

It came with just one backstrap, how do you tell which backstrap is on it, so I can order the other two to try?

PS How do I post a picture of it, if I hit the prompt it asks for a URL?!?

Thank you.

 

[NukeRef]

PS How do I post a picture of it, if I hit the prompt it asks for a URL?!?

Thank you.

There are a couple of threads on posting pics providing detail but the quick-and-dirty is if you use a photo hosting site like postimages.org you can use the "Insert Image" button with the URL to your image; if you wish to post directly from your computer you can use the "Attachments" button and upload the pics. They will show as thumbnails at the bottom of the post.

I think that's right. Someone else may know more.

 

[SWBEAR]

It came with just one backstrap, how do you tell which backstrap is on it, so I can order the other two to try?
Thank you.

Remove the backstrap and look at the inside of it. They are imprinted SMALL, MEDIUM, or LARGE.

 

[cracker57]

If you are trying to put it back together with the box, extra mag, backstraps, Don't forget the most important part of any gun the Manual. S&W will send you one if you give them a call. It can be down loaded but they will send you a hard copy free of charge. I believe any gun manufacture will send you a manual if you request it, I am sure the legal team has made it clear it is a wise thing to do.

 

[scattershot]

If you post a WTB backstraps ad, maybe someone here has some they could part with.

 

[Jessie]

Another good point. Does it work without the magazine in place? (And does the M & P .40 usually come with the magazine safety?)

Yep, if it won’t shoot without the magazine then you won’t see the warning that it will.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Well, I got a black period box, inst manual, grip inserts and extra magazines. It has the lock function on the left side, as above the pin it says lock. I don’t plan on ever locking it, and never knew it had that function.
Under the stripe are barely visible numbers not words. I still have to get down to the crime lab and have them put it under their scope.

 

[Saudade]

You have an early model that used to come with the internal lock. The lock itself is likely absent and a small plug fills the hole for the key.

Please report back if you are able to determine what's "under" the stripe.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Thank you Saudade, I am learning more things about it everyday.
I hope to like i say get it to the Marion County Crime Lab soon.