S&W model 69 crane ball detent removal

[Michael Ray Martin]

I plan on having my S&W Model 69 cerakoted, does anyone know how to remove the crane ball detent?

 

[Jonesy814]

Why? Cerrakote isn't all that great of a finish. In a few years it will be all chipped and look like crap unless the gun just sits in a safe unused and untouched.

 

[Michael Ray Martin]

I am looking for help!!! Not opions...

 

[entropy]

You're in the wrong place, then. Yes, BTW, I do know how to remove the ball detent.

 

[BBBBill]

I have not examined a Model 69, so I was not aware that S&W had begun installing them and don't know specifically how the ball is installed at the factory. Traditional S&W revos don't have them. They are typically installed by gunsmiths in a hole drilled in the top of the yoke and staked in place with a small spring under the ball. The staking swages a small amount of metal over the outer edges of the ball to retain it in the hole. If yours is done in a similar manner there is no way to remove it without expanding the staking. It can be done, but will weaken the metal so that reinstallation may not be successful. Best bet is to carefully mask the ball and surrounding metal and proceed with the Cerakote, leaving the ball and a tiny bit of the surrounding metal bare. It will not be seen with the yoke closed and won't wear or corrode easily as it is stainless.

 

[Michael Ray Martin]

I have not examined a Model 69, so I was not aware that S&W had begun installing them and don't know specifically how the ball is installed at the factory. Traditional S&W revos don't have them. They are typically installed by gunsmiths in a hole drilled in the top of the yoke and staked in place with a small spring under the ball. The staking swages a small amount of metal over the outer edges of the ball to retain it in the hole. If yours is done in a similar manner there is no way to remove it without expanding the staking. It can be done, but will weaken the metal so that reinstallation may not be successful. Best bet is to carefully mask the ball and surrounding metal and proceed with the Cerakote, leaving the ball and a tiny bit of the surrounding metal bare. It will not be seen with the yoke closed and won't wear or corrode easily as it is stainless.

I have not examined a Model 69, so I was not aware that S&W had begun installing them and don't know specifically how the ball is installed at the factory. Traditional S&W revos don't have them. They are typically installed by gunsmiths in a hole drilled in the top of the yoke and staked in place with a small spring under the ball. The staking swages a small amount of metal over the outer edges of the ball to retain it in the hole. If yours is done in a similar manner there is no way to remove it without expanding the staking. It can be done, but will weaken the metal so that reinstallation may not be successful. Best bet is to carefully mask the ball and surrounding metal and proceed with the Cerakote, leaving the ball and a tiny bit of the surrounding metal bare. It will not be seen with the yoke closed and won't wear or corrode easily as it is stainless.

Thanks for the information. I will take your advice and just mask it off.

 

[GBExpat]

Welcome to THR, Michael Ray Martin!

Best of luck with your Mod69 Cerakote Project.

 

[expat_alaska]

I plan on having my S&W Model 69 cerakoted.

I know you are a new member here, and most of us are getting long in the tooth, including me. I am from WA State also.

Most of us are into stainless, blued, or parked guns.

Why in the world would you want to basically "paint coat" a nice bead-blasted stainless pistol? Makes no sense to me.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-69

It is also an L frame, which is fine for .357 Mag. I know that the factory touts it as a satisfactory gun for .44 Mag heavy use, but I have my druthers as I have owned a Ruger Redhawk and a Ruger Super Blackhawk in Alaska for bear protection while salmon fishing. Those are stout enough for .44 Mag or larger.

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2015/4/15/hardware-smith-wesson-model-69-combat-magnum/

I hope you don't shoot the crap out of it because it will be very loose after that. I did that with an S&W Model 19 in .357.

Cerakote? It is just bling. You need to visit your bretheren here:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=66

They all like bling.

Jim