629 issues

[nick22]

I was shooting my 5" 629 about a week ago and my rounds weren't going off double action they were reloads and I thought maybe some of my old primers were compromised. They all went off single action without fail. I then noticed on my cylinder release the screw was a little loose. So I pulled the grip off while cleaning and noticed the hammer spring was almost out of the grip at the bottom. So I loosened the tension screw and slid the spring back in and set the screw back to where it was. I just found it odd that these screws came loose. Honestly the revolver has 3 or 4 thousand rounds through it how often do you guys strip your revolvers and go through them I obviously need to do it more I bought it new in 2012 it's all stock.

 

[trackskippy]

The strain screw not being tight isn't an uncommon thing and for a couple of reasons. Its usually the first thing I check if I get light strikes in DA.

New gun or used, I always make sure it snugged down tight and check it on occasion when Im cleaning, along with the side plate screws. A small drop of blue Loctite doesn't hurt on all of them.

One other thing to watch when shooting reloads is, to make sure you're getting the primers seated fully. If the primer isn't seated fully, it can soften the hammer blow and give inconsistent ignition and give similar feedback as a loose strain screw.

Cleaning the primer pockets and using a tool with some leverage helps here.

 

[wcwhitey]

I check screws every time I clean my revolvers. The more recoil and vibration the more screws will loosen. My Bulldog was prone to this as wa the cylinder release screw on my 629 just like yours. Loctite Blue is the answer.

 

[mcb]

I put my revolvers together using Vibra-tite or medium strength loctite on most of the screws and the cylinder ejection rod. You only need a loose screw or a backed out ejection rod to cause you to zero a stage once and you make sure that does not happen again. I only open my revolver when need requires but I do check screws periodical for tightness.

 

[Ethan Verity]

I torque my strain screws to 12in/lbs on all my revolvers, and have never had one walk out. I prefer good torque over loctite personally. The cylinder ejection rod is another example, proper installation is without loctite, torque to 45in/lbs.

 

[tominboise]

Loose strain screws are somewhat common on used guns, as people who don't understand how things work will loosen them up in an attempt to lighten the trigger pull.

I've also had the adjustable site mounting screws work their way loose on a few S&W's that are hard kickers, so you might check those, too.

 

[halfmoonclip]

There is a reason military arms like to avoid screws, or stake them in place. Screws can work loose.
My 986 was exhibiting misfires, and the strain screw had indeed backed out. The double action was really great, tho'...
Moon

 

[sparkyv]

I've had more side plate screws and extractor rods work loose than strain screws. I use blue threadlocker, usually.

 

[hemiram]

I only have a couple of guns that have screws that need Vibratite or LocTite on them to keep them from backing out. Both of them were bought well used. My ugly looking Dan Wesson 15-2 had a sideplate screw that would loosen up just dry firing it. I used blue LocTite on it, and it held up fine, but I ended up putting a different screw from my drawer of spare DW parts in the gun and no more issues. One of my CZ clones, it might be the one in my avatar, had grip screws that just won't stay tight without some sort of thread lock. It's the threads in the frame, not the screws, new ones still backed out. I haven't pulled the grips off any of those clones in a long time, so obviously the thread lock cured it. I used to have a gun, not sure what it was, but the sight screws needed Vibratite to keep from letting things moved around while shooting it.

 

[edwardware]

I just found it odd that these screws came loose. . . how often do you guys strip your revolvers and go through them. . .

It's not odd at all. The solution is just a dab of low-strength thread locker, like VibraTite.

For a revolver, I'd say "stripping it" is probably appropriate every 30 years. . . but a thorough exterior clean/oil/screw check (including dropping the stocks) every year.

Get a tube of VibraTite; just a dab'll do ya'.

 

[buck460XVR]

Just the cost of doing business. Seems the bigger the boom, the faster the screws back out. I have found that extended range sessions that heat up the gun tend to make screws loosen too. Maybe the difference between alloys in the frame and the screws. Another reason I now shy away from Lil' Gun in my revolvers. Cylinder release, sight screws and cylinder rod along with strain screw all get checked.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Getting carried away with Locktite has its perils...have had more than one bushing crank out of a Colt, after Loctiting the grip screws in place.
Buddy lost the front sideplate screw from a Rossi, it simply backed out and was lost. It was a long time getting a replacement from the OEM.
Moon

 

[Riomouse911]

Mechanical devices will always have the possibility of loosening things up: Ruger GP sight pins, various S&W screws and ejector rods, a Garand front sight screw, a couple of different scope mount screws, Colt grip screws, PC Carbine fore-end screws… I’ve had them all loosen up a bit while shooting over the years.

If your 629 is a classic full-lug with the hogue grips like my old 5” was, it’s easy to overlook the strain screw because popping those grips off and on to check it is a bit of a hassle.

As the guys said; a dab of minimal strength thread locker will keep these screws snug, yet will still allow for them to be removed with a screwdriver when you need to.

Stay safe.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Listen to riomouse...wrap around grips led to a backed off strain screw in a 986.
If your double action suddenly gets waaaaaaay too good, check the strain screw.
Moon

 

[Thomasss]

I only check that screw once a year. And the only time it was, at all loose, was when I first bought both my revolvers, used. Maybe when I get up to 3,000 rounds like you, I will have to tighten those screws again. I rarely shoot full power loads and wonder if that may be the cause.

 

[Onty]

I was shooting my 5" 629 about a week ago and my rounds weren't going off double action they were reloads and I thought maybe some of my old primers were compromised. They all went off single action without fail. I then noticed on my cylinder release the screw was a little loose. So I pulled the grip off while cleaning and noticed the hammer spring was almost out of the grip at the bottom. So I loosened the tension screw and slid the spring back in and set the screw back to where it was. I just found it odd that these screws came loose. Honestly the revolver has 3 or 4 thousand rounds through it how often do you guys strip your revolvers and go through them I obviously need to do it more I bought it new in 2012 it's all stock.

Loctite 243 is your friend https://toolingfun.com/loctite-threadlocker-242-vs-243-series-272-vs-271/ . it has "significantly improved oil tolerance". But, before applying it, I would definitely clean threaded hole and screw with some kind of cleaner. Brake cleaner will do the job.