Smith&Wesson sideplate help needed!

[KYamateur]

I am fairly new to this forum. I need some help with a S&W 686 no dash and thought someone here might know the answers. I recently purchased a friend's 686. He had had it quite sometime but fired it very little. It is a beautiful gun with the exception of 2 bugered up sideplate screws (not the one behind the grip.) I asked him how that happened and he said he noticed that one of them was loose one day so he did the only logical thing - took a screwdriver and turned them SOBs so hard they would never get loose again. Anyways I went to Numerich and ordered the screws that went to the 686 no dash gun. I got them and started to install them and noticed they were shorter than the screws that I took out. They screwed in just fine but I took them back out and put the originals back in because I didn't know if the short screws would harm the function of the pistol. I have two questions:

1. Will the shorter screws hurt anything function wise?
2. If the answer is yes, where do I find longer screws?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bubba613]

If it works, it works.

 

[rcmodel]

1. Will the shorter screws hurt anything function wise?

Not function wise. But the risk of pulling the threads out of the frame is increased if you don't have enough screw threads in the holes.
You strip the threads in the frame and you have an expensive paper weight.

2. If the answer is yes, where do I find longer screws?

S&W Parts department for the correct screws.
1-800-331-0852 (USA)


The original screws can probably be repaired too.

Drop them in a hole that fits the threaded part in a steel bench block and peen the displaced metal back where it came from with a polished flat tip punch and small hammer.

Touch up any finish damage with Oxpho-blue and nobody will ever know.

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

The front side plate screw retains the cylinder yoke.
It was a fitted part until they went to a spring plunger in the screw end.
I'd ask S&W direct.

 

[bikemutt]

As Jim said, the front sideplate screw retains the crane yolk, this one needs to be handled with caution. This is a stretch but, may be worth a try. If the gun does not have an "M" stamp on the crane, there is a recall that still applies which S&W will do for free, including round trip shipping. If you talk to the right person there, they may offer to take care of those sideplate screws too, maybe.

 

[KYamateur]

Thanks for the tip. It doesn't have a M stamped on it anywhere. I think I will call them. They have always been nice. I launched a guide rod for a 4506 in a field last year and found out that they don't make the part anymore. I called Smith&Wesson and they said they would see if they had any old ones in their shop. A week later I got three of them in the mail for free.

 

[texagun]

It won't cost you a penny to send the gun in. Tell them you want the no-dash modification for the hammer nose and bushing and they will send you a shipping label. The gun will be back in your hands within 10 days, based on my last experience a few months ago. Send a note with the gun asking them to install the correct size side plate screws while they have it. You will be happy with their service.

 

[Alizard]

Shorter screws greatly increases chances of stripping. Most side plates fit so tight they don't go all the way on, you have to use the screws to seat them. That stresses the threads on the tips of the screws.

 

[bikemutt]

As texagun says, include a note with the gun. You have going for you that it's a stainless gun; I was told to forget about it with a nickel 586 yolk screw, then, the gentleman asked me to hang on for a minute, I did, he found one in a parts bin. I've also seen the part become available from Numrich from time to time, I find it best to order more than needed in order to select a suitable specimen. Just because there is a picture on a website, and a description, does not guarantee the part is correct. At least that has been my experience.

 

[rcmodel]

It has been my experience when Numeric runs out of high demand factory parts?

They place an order for reproduction parts from somewhere else to fill the empty parts bin.

I gave up ordering old Winchester & Colt screws from them years ago, because you never got old original OEM screws.

You got out of spec new ones that never was quite right from some dang place else besides Winchester or Colt.

Another tip for the OP.
Put the buggered up old screws back in the gun before you send it back to S&W.

The new ones would be easy to mix up and put back on a cluttered repairman's bench.

rc

 

[KYamateur]

I put the old ones back in. I was afraid the short ones may cause a problem. I saw where someone on ebay was selling several lots of mixed Smith & Wesson revolver screws, but I think I'll just send it in for the recall with a good ole brown nosing note.

 

[rcmodel]

That would be the only course of action possible if you want it back right.

rc