I think most of the Smiths are simply fluff and buff on the Kahrs as the metal ones are pretty much interchangeable. I have an extra slide from another member here, swapped out the barrel and RSA, back to shooting with no hang ups... That the slide is from an older era where they were roll marked (you could tell from the high points on the "M'' part) and while I checked it out thoroughly prior to firing, it showed no real different wear than the original slide. I "painted" rails with a sharpie marker and marked the wear with the old and new slide..... not really more wear one way or another. I like tinkering though, so maybe I do not have the same attitude as you do, but I do not want to spend the funds to send mine off if it has problems... Kahr or I should be able to work it out...