Last year I picked up a slightly tired 19-3, pretty obviously an ex-police duty weapon. Before committing to it I pulled the side plate to examine the internals for any work performed by Bubba. All was well in that respect. The gun had a fair amount of blue wear and some end shake and cylinder play. It also had some forcing cone erosion, but the price was reasonable and I thought it was worth sending into S&W for a checkout and keeping for a .38 Spl. shooter (no refinish, tho).
When it came back the above issues had been resolved, plus it looked like the barrel had been turned back about two turns; all the throat erosion had been removed and the breech looked pristine. Functionally I had a new gun, and it shot like one, too. I've gotten to like the thing, and rather than pay new gun prices for guns I may not like half as much I find myself considering what a Ford's nickel job would look like. (Yeah, I know, not really a great investment, and I would have a fair piece of change in a very common gun.)
What bugs me about this gun is that upon return from S&W the upper rear flat-headed side plate screw was TIGHT. I mean REALLY TIGHT! And that's after me removing and replacing it prior to purchase. When I decided to ship it in to S&W I deliberately just left it buttoned up and untouched, thinking to leave any minor stoning and spring changes for later after the factory did it's thing.
I have since worked on that screw with the proper bit, heated and cooled it, and Kroiled it. No, I have not broken or buggered it, and I am leaving it strictly alone before I do, at this point. I would like to do a little work inside, but while the action isn't as good as some K frames I know full well that the gun will work just fine for the next 50 years just as it is.
I called S&W service asking them if they had loc-tited that screw or done anything at all different with it, and the rep said no. As a matter of fact, he asked rather grumpily why I would want to take the side plate off at all. I have to admit that I really didn't blame him, considering some of the man-caused disasters they probably get to see come in for salvage. Still, it's my gun, and if I want to take it apart like a real American I have that right.
I'm just wondering WHAT the deal IS with that infernal screw. If I had never had it out at all I'd just accept it as rust, varnish, overtightened, cross-threaded, or all of those things and let S&W deal with it. As it is, I'm done tweaking on it. I might send it in to the factory for a reblue (it would serve them right!) or let Ford's fight it if they were willing.
Any thoughts or ideas?