Can't get my S&W side plate flush with frame

[BlueHeelerFl]

I'm in the process of cleaning my 625 and I can't get the side plate back on abd be completely flush with the frame. The plate is slightly up by the screws at the hammer and the one behind the trigger.

It's almost completely flush by the screw that hold the cylinder.

Is There a trick to get it back in properly?

 

[edwardware]

1) Don't drive it down with the screws. You may have the hammer strut misaligned and you risk stripping a screw or bending the plate.
2) Remove the plate, by holding the revolver with the plate up, and tapping down on the side of the frame at the butt. Use a screwdriver handle, or wooden hammer handle. Don't pry the plate.
3) Clean the seating surfaces, align the various pins and hammer block strut, and carefully press the plate down mostly into place.
4) Hold the revolver, while pressing the plate into place, with the plate down, and tap as before. This will drive the frame down onto the plate.

I've yet to see one so tight that pressing in and tapping on the side of the butt wouldn't seat it.

Also, step 0) Buy Kuhnhausen's manual. He must spend a page or two explaining this.

 

[Buckeye63]

I had to put my side plate in the freezer for a couple of hours ... When I had that problem on a Model 10 . A fellow at work told me to try it .. I thought he was joking ... But it worked ????

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

I was able to seat the side plate properly.

I had been ttying to do so without the cylinder assembly in place. Once it was the plate seated normally. I was not aware that this would have been an issue, but I apparently dont know all that much.

 

[mcb]

Got to learn something new everyday. Thanks!