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02-28-2015, 06:09 PM
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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?
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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Last edited by Kernel Crittenden; 02-28-2015 at 06:58 PM.
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02-28-2015, 06:16 PM
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Photo not showing up for me
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02-28-2015, 06:21 PM
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Ever seen a thumbpiece like this?
Not appearing here either.
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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198
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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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Last edited by Alk8944; 03-01-2015 at 10:07 AM.
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02-28-2015, 06:28 PM
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Still have not seen one.
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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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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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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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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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02-28-2015, 07:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colt_saa
There was a fixed sight 629 carry comp done for Lew Horton around 10 or 12 years ago.....
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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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Last edited by Kernel Crittenden; 02-28-2015 at 07:45 PM.
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02-28-2015, 07:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden
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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Maybe it was more than 12 years ago.
The mind starts playing tricks on us regarding the passage of time.
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02-28-2015, 07:50 PM
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This is what a raised latch looks like.....
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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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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.
Last edited by saemetric; 02-28-2015 at 08:04 PM.
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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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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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Last edited by ginzo; 02-28-2015 at 08:33 PM.
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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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Last edited by MrTrolleyguy; 02-28-2015 at 11:35 PM.
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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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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.
===
Nemo
Last edited by Nemo288; 03-01-2015 at 02:39 AM.
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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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03-01-2015, 02:03 PM
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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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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198
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03-01-2015, 02:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lebomm
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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be willing to bet that is exactly what it is.
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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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03-01-2015, 03:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo288
Maybe if one had a small thumb?
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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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Last edited by Kernel Crittenden; 03-01-2015 at 05:46 PM.
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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
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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