There’s alot of truth in your statement, I’m a pipefitter, and have been fitting alot of stainless pipe in the last few years, 99% being Tig welded…One cardinal sin is using a carbon steel wire brush to shine up the weld, the same reasoning applys, you’re introducing carbon onto the stainless surface, which results in rust on the weld very quickly, If you must use a file it should be brand new, and used only for stainless from that point on, use it on carbon and it’s contaminated, and will put carbon on the weld if used on stainless.So, what you’re saying makes perfect sense to me…
I have this problem. What happens with my aftermarket sights? Do they send them back in a bag or will they re-install them?
They will re-install them. It’s not the case for internals though. I sent mine in with a note saying it had an Apex sear block in it and to return the slide with that part. I got it back with a factory smith sear block.
Mike
From what I know, factory will not install/support after market parts.
This is likely an example of the chromium content of the stainless steel being destroyed during the nitriding process. I have absolutely no idea as to why S&W stubbornly refuses to convert to carbon steel for it’s slides, doing so would virtually eliminate any further oxidation issues like this particular specimen, perhaps a consequence of the lawsuit that they lost for copyright infringing on Glock’s design?
Thats interesting, however in my opinion thats not whats taking place with S&W M&P pistols, though certainly it could contribute.
The problem is that the acid bath destroys the chromium content of stainless steels by breaking down their toughness, resulting in brittleness and an actual pre-dispostion to oxidize!
My belief is that whatever benefit that the melonite imparts occurs in a very narrow spectrum, very narrow indeed with stainless steel, a little to much exposure and “presto” you have rusting steel that is no longer stainless! I’ve never heard a good solid explanation as to why S&W continues to stick with stainless steel slides on the M&P, perhaps one of the industry guys could offer an explanation as to why?
I wrap all of my pistols in wax paper when they are stored in the foam cases.
Very technical , how about ,the slide wasnt wiped down with oil after handling and then stored in a humid environment ? sometimes its the simple stuff.
Did SW correct the issue by doing anything with that slide?
I have no insider knowledge, but I’ve always speculated that it was marketing; not that many people are familiar with the benefits of nitrocarburizing carbon steel, but lots of people will get a warm fuzzy when they see “Stainless” in giant letters on the slide.
The whole point of Meloniting a slide is to remove the necessity for treating all guns like they are blued. A properly-melonitied slide should resist that kind of abuse quite well.
This seams the most likely explanation to me as well.
I was at a gun store a few years back looking at an M&P and the the guy behind the counter was like “if the black color wears off it still won’t rust 'cuz it’s stainless”. :rolleyes:
so, I never updated this thread.
I helped my friend send the gun back, and Smith replaced the slide and barrel. I think it took around 10 weeks.
they did right by him, as expected.
Good to hear!
That pic made me go dig out some guns I had not touched in a long time. Living in the desert is good for guns!
They still got a wipe down…