Tactical 40 two tone refinished slide?

[grimace406]

I came across a PC Tactical 40 two tone pistol on the big auction site and noticed a couple of pictures that seem to indicate the slide has been refinished. The description from the seller doesn't mention anything but I wanted to get some other opinions. The muzzle and barrel bushing look to have overspray on them, the rear sights are blacked out and the slide doesn't show any wear from being cycled like you'd typically see on a pistol of this vintage. Any thoughts?

 

[Sevens]

I think you’re mistaken… the lettering on the slide is something that would extremely difficult to reproduce. And when you say that you don’t see wear, take a look at picture #3. This picture clearly shows the very typical S&W-specific “idiot” marks that are imparted to every Smith & Wesson 1-2-3rd Gen if the owner is clueless, careless or ham-fisted. Those marks are where the ejector, magazine disconnect and firing pin unlocker finger thingy. (industry term!)

So I think this is all original. The spot near the muzzle you point out, I see it also, I’ll guess it left S&W that way.

I’ve always thought this particular model is a neat one.

 

[P71]

Something does look a bit off about it to me as if there is a sprayed finish. Not only the overspray on the muzzle end telling, but it looks like the sights and safety lever might be sprayed over as well.

Post#39 in the below linked thread includes a picture of another 40 Tactical with a more "blued" finish of the slide and different metal finish on the sights and safety lever:

Bubba guns, Show Your Homemade Or Modified

 

[Erocksmash]

I think it looks fine and agree with Sevens, thoes Briley bushings are screwed in, don't really know if it's before or after the coatings, but it makes sense that it looks like that to avoid the bushing areas

 

[Dparker]

Based on the bids Looks like it will be an expensive Tactical 40!

Cheers!!!
Davis

 

[skjos]

I'm going to go with spray on finish, overspray on the bushing and maybe even some on the ring.

The location and thickness of the S&W marking seems a bit off. Serial numbers before and after this gun have the S&W marking centered on the slide stop recess.

Font fill and alignment issues, see how "PERFORMANCE" and "CENTER" don't quite align the same with "TACTICAL.40".

 

[Erocksmash]

With the Performance Center, everything seems off...

 

[Sevens]

You guys are good!

Now look at the lettering on the right side of the slide where "Performance" is on an arc over the Tactical .40, with "Center" underneath.

On other examples, the "Performance" and "Center" are solid, filled-in letters, but on this example, those letters are outlines only, much like the Tactical .40 is outlines only.

Has someone taken well-used gun and tried to clean it up and roll back the odometer?

 

[Sevens]

I can tell you from experience that there were absolutely odd variations and inconsistencies directly from the Performance Center, my guess is that most often came from small parts suppliers... they might run out of one and begin using another. I've seen all kinds of variations in rear sights and slide markings and sometimes in how they stamped a serial number or even a marked model number.

This variation in the lettering on the right side of the slide and as shown succinctly by skjos on the Smith & Wesson on the left side is quite odd and does seem different than the variations I've seen.

 

[ACEd]

Sent back to SW for refinishing?

 

[P71]

I also see in the added photos the "SPRINGFIELD. MA"

I suppose variations are possible but on my 3rd gen factory laser engraved slides it reads "SPRINGFIELD, MA"

 

[guzzitaco]

from the pics it looks like that slide was cerakoted or gunkoated ...

in the pics the rear looks to have "orange peel" texture...

and the front bushing...that really looks like spray marks...

re-lasered "rollmarks" and logos?...

finish seems "thick" to be bluing...

just saying...

 

[Ringerman69]

from the pics it looks like that slide was cerakoted or gunkoated ...

in the pics the rear looks to have "orange peel" texture...

and the front bushing...that really looks like spray marks...

re-lasered "rollmarks" and logos?...

finish seems "thick" to be bluing...

just saying...

I believe you are exactly right Guzzi! I was thinking the same thing it doesn’t look like a factory job?
Sold for a pretty steep price!