After handling an SR40 at my local dealer, I had decided to make it my next carry pistol, however I wanted it with a black slide. Davidson's had the SR40 with a black slide listed, but none were available, so I signed-up to be alerted by e-mail when they were in-stock. This was 9 days ago. Although Ruger did not list the SR40 on their web site as being made with a black slide (and they still do not), I sent an e-mail to Ruger asking if/when the SR40 with a black slide would be available, and I received the following reply:
"I am not aware of any plans at this time for any new products / black slides."
Much to my surprise, today I received an e-mail from Davidson's that the SR40 with "blackened alloy" slide is in-stock. I called Ruger and the person I spoke with was unaware that the SR40 was even being made with a black slide, much less that their distributor had it in-stock. I called Davidson's and confirmed that yes, they have the SR40 with black slide in-stock http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=3471