642 sideplate removal

[tango3065]

Can someone tell me how to do this without messing up the fragile clearcoat finish so I can get rid of that stupid lock.

 

[pedaldude]

funny thing mine just started removing itself while I was dry firing it while at the computer, the rearward screw backed all the way out. guess it's time for some loctite.

As for the lock, ignoring it has worked pretty well for me.

 

[SDC]

I would undo the screws, then hold the revolver sideplate down, then start lightly tapping on the other side with a non-marring rubber or plastic hammer; it should work itself free in short order.

 

[ribbonstone]

Same as SDC, but take the grips off and tap on the grip frame....if there is a "whoops" the grips will hide it.

Brownel's carries a kind of purple locktite that is designed to be reusuable...naming it will keep screws from vibrating out, but you can take them out and put them in several times on one application. Good stuff.

 

[tango3065]

New 642 without the lock its a done deal, it was really simple taking off the sideplate and disabling the lock was even simpler. BTW I ended up stripping the whole pistol and let me tell you that spring for the hand is a bugger, I had to download a schematic to figure it out. That lock is never gonna work again and from looking at the gun you would never know its been disabled , test fired it with the lock engaged and it still fires.