642 Club - Help! Sideplate Removal

[Jamie B]

New 642 club member!

Can any one tell me how to remove the sideplate without damage?

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[st_albert]

1) make sure firearm is unloaded.

2) remove grips and all appropriate screws

3) hold the revolver by the cylinder/frame, with the grip frame pointing up

4) tap the grip frame with the handle of a screwdriver, striking the grip frame on the same side as the sideplate. The idea is that intertia will "pull" the sideplate out.

5) be careful, once the sideplate is loose, that you don't let any small action parts fall out and get lost.

 

[Jamie B]

Thanks, st_albert!
Welcome aboard - I appreciate the help from your first post.
This is an excellent forum; glad to have you!

Jamie

 

[Standing Wolf]

The tapping method doesn't always work, sad to say.

If it doesn't, do not use a screw driver to pry out the side plate: you'll probably leave dings in the steel, and it's possible to deform the side plate, with the result that it will never fit right again.

Add oil, and let it soak in a few minutes. Try tapping again. If that doesn't work, pry it out gently with a tongue depressor or Popsicle stick. Wood won't leave marks in steel, and if it's wide enough, there's a greatly reduced chance of deforming the side plate.

Replacing the side plate is usually easier. I make sure the edges are well oiled, press it in by hand with no more than moderate pressure, and use the screws to push it the rest of the way down. I've found it's better to half-tighten a screw, half-tighten the other, give the first a turn or two, give the second a turn or two, and generally ease the side plate back into place. If you tighten one screw all the way, you've just made it harder to tighten the second.

 

[JNewell]

That has been my experience as well. Steel usually pops right out; aluminum can be sticky. I think the newer ones are actually tighter (better) fits, in general.

 

[Jim K]

Any time you remove the sideplate from a S&W (or other revolver) make sure you release the mainspring tension first. With the S&W this involves either turning out the screw at the bottom front of the grip or capturing the coil spring with a punch or paper clip.

The reason is that with the sideplate off, the hammer pivot pin is supported at only one end and under full spring tension it can break off. It doesn't happen often but when it does, a trip to the factory is usually needed.

Jim

 

[anthony-white]

Grips off, mainspring released, hold the barrel in your hand plate side down and tap the grip frame side with a rubber mallot. Works every time

 

[Jamie B]

Thanks for all the great help, guys!!

Jamie