S&W 686SSR SDM Old Style cylinder thumb latch issues

[Thetaii]

Today I received an SDM Old Style Thumb Latch for my S&W 686 SSR (Part # TLOS), which I had ordered from Midway USA. After installing/re-installing the SDM thumb latch multiple times I noticed that the latch moves/jiggles about when touched, unlike the factory latch, which barely moves when attached. I also noticed that with the SDM latch I sometimes have difficulties pushing/swinging out the cylinder (It seems to get hung up/bound for some reason, and therefore requires quite a bit of pressure to open/swing out the cylinder.) Are these issues that I should be having? Has anyone had similar issues with SDM latches? Anyone have ideas on how to possibly fix this issue?

I absolutely love the grip and size of this old style latch, and definitely would prefer to keep it, however if these issues above can not be resolved I may have to return the latch. Ultimately I would love to think that ordering a replacement latch would fix the issue, that is if there's no "fix" for the issue, however I am also concerned that these issues are either due to manufacturer quality, or incompatibility with my 686 SSR. Any help/tips/thoughts/ideas with these issues would be most appreciated.

****Update****

Below are pictures of something I noticed about the factory and SDM latches, as well as where the latch mounts onto my revo. On the back of the factory latch one case see small divets/indentations which are cut into the underside of the latch. These seem to perfectly line up with raised areas that can be seen where the latch attaches to the revo (pics below show these raised areas.) The SDM latch literally has no cuts into the underside of the latch so I think this explains why it wiggles about when installed, something that the factory latch does not do.

Below I also have two links of short video clips showing the wiggling that occurs with the SDM latch, and the wiggling that does not occur with the factory latch.

Factory Thumb Latch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq1zZvTPYWU

SDM Thumb Latch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MZmuHOFWpI

 

[MrBorland]

I just sent you this info, but thought others might find it interesting, or useful:

The SDMs are infamous for being a hair too long, such that the leading edge of it (or the leading edge of the boss underneath) touches the frame before it can fully push the bolt face forward. As a result, the bolt face remains a wee bit recessed from the frame window, and the center pin of the ejector rod remains in this gap, making it harder to open the cylinder. If you open your gun now, you'll likely see the bolt isn't flush with the frame window, while the latch is touching the frame. If the latch isn't quite touching the frame, the boss underneath (i.e. the part that's hidden when installed) is likely a hair too long. The fix is to carefully file the front nose of the latch(or the front of the boss underneath) until it can push the bolt fully forward. Doesn't take much.

As to the wiggliness, first be sure the screw is tight. They have a tendency to work loose sometimes. Other than that, IIRC, authentic S&W latches (but not the SDMs) have a cross-hatch on the underside of the boss that helps grip the bolt, so the SDMs may be gripping less effectively. Doesn't really hurt anything, so long as the screw's tight . The other possibility is that the SDM boss is a hair too deep, so the latch doesn't sit quite as flat. If so, it can be filed a bit, too.

Despite this, the SDM is a good product. Unfortunately, it seems IDPA HQ didn't include it in the inclusive list of permitted mods in SSR, so it looks like they'll be illegal once the new rules go into effect (after the Nationals in September, I understand).

BTW, why did you get the old style? Preference? IME, the new style tends to interfere less with the speedloader.

 

[Thetaii]

Thanks for the info Tom! Regardless of the potential IDPA ban I think I'm going to just return the latch. It was not an expensive mod yet I definitely expected a better fit. Oh well I guess S&W builds em so good that there often is very little room for improvement. ;-)

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

SDM might be making them slightly oversized for a "gunsmith" fit, accommodating some revolvers that might be off a bit. Tis better to be able to remove metal that have to add some.

 

[Jim K]

That first link comes up with a video having little to do with thumb latches!

Jim

 

[Thetaii]

Yeah Sharps, I guess that makes sense, but would be nice if the item was advertised with that caveat.

Lol oh and Jim K the video link seems to be showing properly now. What did it show before?

 

[hAkron]

Order a new cylinder bolt/hammer stop bar that is flat.
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/313140.htm

You could stone your current one flat, but then your factory thumb piece might not fit the gun anymore, and any modification that precludes you from returning the gun back to factory condition can radically affect the value of the gun in a very negative way.