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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 02-28-2015, 06:09 PM
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Default Ever See A Thumb Piece Like This.......?

Saw this strange looking thumb piece on a M629-3 recently. I'd never seen this style before. Anyone know if it's factory?

Ever See A Thumb Piece Like This.......?-s-w-m629-3-3-inch-pc-170012-miniature-latch-x-jpg

It was a 3-inch gun from the Performance Center. Product code was 170012, s/n HMCxx5x, and a ship date in July of 1995. Was was it a kitchen-table/gun-smith special? If it's legit, what was it called? Micro latch?
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Old 02-28-2015, 06:16 PM
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Photo not showing up for me
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Old 02-28-2015, 06:21 PM
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Default Ever seen a thumbpiece like this?

Not appearing here either.
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Old 02-28-2015, 06:28 PM
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Can't even guess without a picture!

Now the photo is shown my money is on "Bubba" and a file, grinder or belt/disk sander. Why anyone would do this is anyones guess. Definitely do not see the point in doing this!
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Old 02-28-2015, 06:28 PM
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Still have not seen one.
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Old 02-28-2015, 06:40 PM
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I can honestly say I've never sen anything like that on a Smith and Wesson revolver.
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:01 PM
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Never seen one like that, don't care for it much either, just sayin'
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:08 PM
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There was a fixed sight 629 carry comp done for Lew Horton around 10 or 12 years ago.

It had the older style cylinder release but with the bottom squared off like that one. However the top was left rounded like the production piece.

Someone may have finished the job after buying the revolver, or S&W may have done a few to see how they looked. Unless there is evidence from a physical inspection of the piece that the top and bottom look to be machined differently, you may never know.
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:14 PM
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Never seen one. Seems unlikely that it's a Performance Center modification, but I'm just thinking out loud. Doesn't seem very functional to me.
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colt_saa View Post
There was a fixed sight 629 carry comp done for Lew Horton around 10 or 12 years ago.....
You know what? This was a fixed sight M629! (I had forgotten that point, or would of put it in the OP). That other latch you describe is what's called a "raised" latch. It was used on a limited bases on some PC guns in the '92 - '96 time frame.
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden View Post
You know what? This was a fixed sight M629! (I had forgotten that point, or would of put it in the OP). That other latch you describe is what's called a "raised" latch. It was used on a limited bases on some PC guns in the '92 - '96 time frame.
Maybe it was more than 12 years ago.

The mind starts playing tricks on us regarding the passage of time.
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:50 PM
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This is what a raised latch looks like.....

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Old 02-28-2015, 07:50 PM
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Looks to me like just a std. thumbpiece that's had its shoulders machined off. No idea if it's factory or not. +1 Muggins' opinion.

Larry
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:57 PM
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This was on a 625-2 from the late 1980's. Not sure if original or not.


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Old 02-28-2015, 07:57 PM
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I've seen one like that on here, it was on a custom 649. I can't remember who posted it or who tuned it. Maybe Mag-na-port? As it was ported as well.
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Old 02-28-2015, 08:28 PM
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Isn't that what they call a "flat latch"?

This looks the same to me? Or similar anyway. Model 36 no dash.
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Old 02-28-2015, 09:36 PM
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I believe it is designed to minimize the ejected cases from hitting the thumb piece. I have one like that on a custom model 649-15 3" by Jack Wiegand

This is a 640

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Old 02-28-2015, 10:05 PM
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YES! The thumb latch shown in the OP's first post was from the custom shop. It was widely copied by us pistolsmiths for the better clearance while using a certain brand of speed loader. More than likely many of them migrated out of the custom shop and went on to 'special customers' handguns. ....................
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Old 02-28-2015, 10:21 PM
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Isn't that what they call a "flat latch"?
This looks the same to me? Or similar anyway. Model 36 no dash.


That one looks like it was designed to actually work.
The dish shape and serrations would give the thumb some purchase.
The good Kernel's looks semi-functional with small area for the thumb.
Maybe if one had a small thumb?

The Raised latch must have had positive feedback as the new thumb pieces are similar.

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Old 03-01-2015, 12:35 AM
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The gun it was on was totally white bread in every way. No indication it had been modified or slicked up post mothership. I'm going with the Big Cholla. These latches were a small run from the factory, some smith at the PC with a bench grinder, that never caught on and faded from use. Others are out there, that look similar, made by custom smiths. Baring something better, I'm going to call it a "Micro Latch". Flat Latch is already taken, and it would be confusing to reuse that term.
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Old 03-01-2015, 02:03 PM
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Default The photo has appeared

And up until then I had not seen the latch before but have learned from reading the posts that they are actually a product of S&W. Always appreciate the opportunity to learn!
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Old 03-01-2015, 02:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lebomm View Post
Looks to me like just a std. thumbpiece that's had its shoulders machined off. No idea if it's factory or not. +1 Muggins' opinion.

Larry
be willing to bet that is exactly what it is.
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Old 03-01-2015, 02:25 PM
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Each to his own. I like it, and from the photos it appears properly done.
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Old 03-01-2015, 03:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo288 View Post
Maybe if one had a small thumb?
People with abnormally small thumbs. That's got to be a "tiny" market niche.

No wonder the Micro Latch never caught on. Not enough babies buying revolvers.

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Old 03-01-2015, 05:41 PM
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This is even better when you are a grandpa!!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden View Post
People with abnormally small thumbs. That's got to me a "tiny" market niche.

No wonder the Micro Latch never caught on.

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