I need to replace the bolt and thumbpiece nut on my 686. They are both stripped. It appears that it came from the factory this way. My question is, does the bolt have to be fitted? If so, is it minor or major fitting?

Thanks, guys. I am hoping it is something that I can slap in myself.

They will usually just drop in. If for some reason it is slightly long or has a burr it is not a big job to fit it. Hmmmmm, never seen a stripped thumb release nut before, but I suppose there's a first time for everything.

Chief38

I bought the gun pretty much brand new (I couldn't tell that it had been fire at all)...and the nut is not scratched up or anything. Leading me to believe that it was done at the factory.

The way I found it, was that the thumbpiece seemed to be looser than it should be. So, I tightened....and I never felt any resistance at all...it just kept spinning. Backed it off, and there it was. Weird.

By the way, thanks Chief!