[DragonFire]

I just purchased a used 1076 from Gunbroker.com. If the gun was used at all, it wasn't much.

Being in NYS, it's taken a week or two to get the gun shipped to my FFL, get my permit updated and actually take possession of the firearm. So I finally got to the range with it for the first time last night.

The gun shoots fine, and is pretty accurate. But while showing it off to some friends, one pointed out a small gap just above the extractor that he said was a loaded-round indicator. I hadn't noticed it before and it doesn't seem to be any kind of problem, but I can't find anything in the user's manual, or online anywhere, that mentions that the 1076 or any of the Smith 10mm's had this feature.

It initially looked to me like the gun wasn't completely in battery, but it shot this way and shot well. On closer examination, it looks like it's supposed to be this way. If nothing else, the extractor would prevent any further forward movement of the slide. It just looks odd to me.

The way it is, I would think I'd get blow-back out of the gap when the gun fired, but that didn't happen, so I'm pretty certain this is an okay situation, but I just wanted some confirmation.

Can anyone with a 1076, tell me if this is right or not?

[JoeHatley]

Do you mean the the "U" cutout on the barrel hood? I'm assuming the 1076 has something similar to this SW1911.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/sw1911_hood.jpg

It doesn't effect shooting or safety.

Good Luck...

Joe

[FireBreather01]

The small gap on your 1076 is normal and is not a loaded-round indicator. It should not be used to determine such as it is very narrow and a chambered round could easily be missed in poor lighting. If the barrel hood is completely seated against the slide then your gun is fine. You won't get any blow back, it's entirely safe.

Loaded-chamber indicators are now found in semi-autos more routinely as some states have mandated them if they are to be sold within their jurisdiction. When the S&W 10XX series guns were manufactured in the early 90's the indicators weren't yet popularized.

[DragonFire]

thanks guys.

It's not U-shaped, but it is sort of the same thing. The barrel seems completely sealed, and there was no blow back or soot of any kind around it.

I agree that it's way too small to see if a round is loaded or not. I just want to be sure that it was safe before I put more rounds through the gun.

[Shawn Dodson]

FYI: here's the FBI instructor's manual for the 1076: http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi_m1076_instruction_guide.pdf