I bought a used TRR8 with an issue. The previous owner had used red Loctite on the top rail screws and completely stripped all of the heads trying to get them out. When I inherited the issue, I had the options of drilling the screws out and risk damaging the firearm it's self, or cut flatheads into the screws while sacrificing the rail in the progress. I chose the later route. After a day of cutting, grinding, using lots of penetrating oil, and a good bit of heat...I managed to get all the screws out with no damage to the firearm it's self. The rail was completely trashed though.

I emailed S&W as I've had great success with getting screws and stuff for other guns in the past. This time I was told that I need to call customer service about my inquiry. I'm gonna call them in the morning and I'm praying they'll simply sell me a new top rail. Like I said, S&W customer service has always been great to me. Only company that's comparable from my personal experience is Surefire.

Has anyone ever tried to buy parts from them before though? Are they pretty cool about it? I'm terrified they'll say no. I really need this rail.

Welcome! If the part is in stock I can see no reason why S & W wouldn't sell you the rail and screws, as it does not require gunsmithing to install. Please let us know what happens?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I bought a model 19 red ramp front blade from them once no issues. C/C over the phone and paid shipping.

They should be able to sell you the top rail. I had them sell me a titanium cylinder for my R8. They are very helpful and I've purchased many parts from them before.
The same thing happened to me with the top rail sorta. I overtightened one of the screws and stripped the top Allen head off. I had to drill the top of that screw just to get the top rail off.
I've told members before , not to overtighten those screws from personal experience. I didn't even use any threadlocker on it. And I don't believe you should use thread lock on them either.
Another thing that happened was the top of the shroud got really scratched up. I also recommend not to use the top rail for this reason.
If you mount an optic , you can mount it further back without that rail and have better eye relief.
Allchin makes a red dot mount in black that looks real nice on those guns. And its what I'd recommend.

I also got them to replace my barrel shroud. No more scratches.

Well I talked to them this morning and was able to get the part. It cost $97 total but at least I was able to get it. Glad everything worked out. That's a beautiful firearm btw. Probably the best looking TRR8 I've seen. I like that mount and looked at their website. I'll buy both at some point to have around for pistol optics. Only issue is I already bought a much bigger optic to put on it. Plus the top has some light scratches. They're not too bad. The firearm was used like I mentioned so there's already enough wear to make me not as skiddish about things.

Any idea what S&W typically charges to refinish a Scandium N frame?

They will refinish aluminum alloy frames but I don’t know and have heard of anyone requesting this work on an Sc alloy frame. Another call back to the factory seems in order.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I don't know what they would charge for a complete refinish. You might have to call them but they might need the firearm for an estimate.
I had my barrel shroud replaced as a warranty repair (no charge) for my barrel loosening.
But the rest of the gun has places where the finish has come off. (Where the cylinder drags on the outside lug on the window and trigger stop hitting the frame.) I learned to live with those marks because if I get it refinished, they'll happen again through use.

Yeah, I'll probably just wait a while on refinishing. It still looks good and it's perfectly functional...outside of one minor flaw lol. While I'm on here, I might as well ask.

The over travel stop seems a little short. There's a noticable bit of mush between the trigger breaking and and the stop making contact with the frame.

Is that a simple fix? Like as simple as pulling the stop out, hammering a new one in and grinding to size?

The trigger stop is just long enough to bash the inside of the trigger guard. Pic below.

Maybe a good cleaning on the inside might help. The trigger should be a crisp break in single action. The action might have some crud in it. Especially with an unknown round count.

(I re-read what you posted. Does the stop make contact with the frame? Or is it too short to make contact with the frame? And does it feel mushy in single action when you pull the trigger back?)

Still , cleaning might help.

It makes contact but in single action it has a noticable bit of mush after breaking, before it connects. The frame has chipping where it touches as expected, but there's chipping in spots where's it's not touching. All I can think is that the previous owner sanded it down a bit and went too far. I've felt other Performance Center single actions and they always seem to immediately hit a wall after the trigger breaks.

The single action overall is perfect. I'm more used to Colts and in comparison, I definitely prefer the S&W single action. Even the double action is great...just different. I'd just really like to lesson the over travel a very slight bit though. I like when they break and almost immediately stop.

Did this mount not cause scratches? It seems like the allchin mount would just rub/scratch farther back.

Hello Brian and welcome to the forum.
The allchin mount does not cause scratches. I've had that mount off and there's no issues.




Lou

Thank you! Very helpful. Definitely going to add this to my TRR8 when I locate one.

I mounted the factory rail on my TRR8 immediately after buying the gun. I fashion myself as sort of a bullseye shooter, so I have a Matchdot II on the rail and 4000 rounds through the gun without any issues. I put a 14-pound trigger rebound spring in it a year ago in an effort to match the trigger pull on my 5" 1954 pre 27. Both are as smooth as glass and have a 2.5 SA pull. I love them both, but with my 67 year old eyes, I shoot the TRR8 with red dot better than my birth year gun.

Have fun with yours - I'm glad S&W was able to get you the rail!