P345 slide markings

[mohavesam]

M P345s have been a couple of my favorite pistols for awhile now. Always dependable, great frame-fit design, good sights, and accurate as some of my four-figure 1911A1s. A best-value in 45ACP handguns, period. But if you own one you already understand that.

Now there's one thing that has bothered me; one of them says Southport and one of them says Prescott on the slide.
Any insight as to what that is all about? My local experts say they were always made in Prescott from day one. Seeking truth ere...

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

It was a repair/rework performed at the other plant. He would be correct.

 

[mohavesam]

I'm talking about the etching on the side of the slide. They wouldn't re-grind and re-etch the slide just because of a rework. ?

ow even the Ruger website shows two different slide markings for the P345 - one says Southport and one says Prescott. What gives?

 

[Snyd]

Mine says Prescott. Maybe they make them in both places?

 

[pyth0n]

Mine says Southport, Conn. I can't find any info on why the different marking. And all were made at Prescott.

 

[philco]

Shot in the dark here, but could it be that the stainless slides are made in Southport, Conn. and the blued slides are made in Prescot, Az. ?

 

[mohavesam]

Nope. Both of mine are SS.

 

[pyth0n]

Shot in the dark here, but could it be that the stainless slides are made in Southport, Conn. and the blued slides are made in Prescot, Az. ?

Possible. Their Pine Tree Castings is in N.H. Just a swag. Haven't seen a blued with Southport on it, yet. Doesn't mean there aren't any. Just haven't seen one.

 

[roylt]

Post pictures.

 

[mohavesam]

??? It's just a question about the rollstamp. Pictures are available on Ruger's website, showing a blued and SS model with the differing stampings.

 

[hammie]

Blued slide southport's do exist. My P345 has "SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A." on the slide, and it is blued.

It was purchased when the 345's first became available in the Phoenix area, and so was likely an early production pistol.

 

[roylt]

Checked it out and it looks to me like just newer vs older style. I think all the old roll marked guns say southport and then when they dropped Sturm and went to the laser etch mark they changed to Prescott. Also they dropped the medalion in the grip and made the whole thing plastic.

So basically it comes down to age. (my opinion only, no facts to back it up)

 

[roylt]

I guess I didn't answer you original question but all the older P-guns say southport. I think all the older guns say southport even though they may have been made in prescott.

 

[mohavesam]

that's what I thought also, but no one has the answer... so far.