Broken side plate screw

Tysers · #1 12-01-2012, 07:40 PM

Just got a new to me S&W 19 made in 82. I was going to clean her up so I took of the grips and checked the screw. The screw closes to the trigger won't tighten or unscrew. Just spins around. I'm guessing this is a broken screw. If I fired the gun like this what could happen?

dfariswheel · #2 12-01-2012, 08:06 PM

It's not a broken screw, either the screw or the threads in the frame are stripped.

S&W can repair this by installing a "Heli-Coil" insert in the frame, if it's the frame that's stripped, which is the usual case.

Firing the gun with the stripped screw should have no effect, although you need to watch it to make sure the side plate doesn't start moving out of the frame and possibly stressing the other screws.

Best option: Send the gun in to S&W and have it properly repaired.

Tysers · #3 12-01-2012, 08:58 PM

The other screws are fine. No prob getting them to come out. Thanks for the info guys.

chief38 · #4 12-01-2012, 11:30 PM

A Heli-Coil will fix it but I always have viewed them as a "last resort fix". Before I would install one of those I would try a tap and re-thread the screw hole. You could also use a tap with a courser thread (same size screw) and replace the screw with the corresponding thread. The tough part is sometimes removing the original striped screw. The good thing here is at least the stripped screw is under the grip, so if you do wind up using a different screw it will not be seen. That screw is a flat head (not Filister like the others) so replacing it should be relatively easy.

Chief38

TAROMAN · #5 12-02-2012, 11:59 AM

As a last option, find machine shop equipped for EDM - elactro discharge machining.
EDM can destruct a screw and leave the surrpunding metal - even aluminum - completely untouched.

ViperR · #6 12-02-2012, 12:30 PM

Try this to see if it is the screw is stripped or the frame: remove the screws that come out with no problem, then try to remove the side plate via the 'tapping method' that can be found on this forum. Since the back screw just spins, there is a good chance that the tapping of the side plate will come free with the back screw indexed in the plate. You will then see if the frame hole is stripped or the screw. With luck, it will be just the screw which is an easy replacement.

curt solomon sr. · #7 12-03-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViperR

Try this to see if it is the screw is stripped or the frame: remove the screws that come out with no problem, then try to remove the side plate via the 'tapping method' that can be found on this forum. Since the back screw just spins, there is a good chance that the tapping of the side plate will come free with the back screw indexed in the plate. You will then see if the frame hole is stripped or the screw. With luck, it will be just the screw which is an easy replacement.

I worked in aircraft repair for many years. If you get the side plate off do not put a new screw in the frame hole untill you run a new tap into the hole very carfully. EDM is also a good way to go but it is no better than the operator. Don't turn the old screw any more than you have to as it just keeps making the whole in the frame bigger and bigger.If I can help you any more let me know. Curt