I may have posted this in the wrong forum earlier.

I have a blued 1988 S&W Model 36-2 that is new to me. Had a gunsmith take the runout on the ejector rod and completely clean and tune it after I bought it.

I ran a box of box of 50 rounds through it last week and tonight went back out to the range for the second time since. After the 3rd round of 5 shots tonight it missed firing and I had to pull the trigger twice on two of the bullets.

When I went back to the bench to empty the shells and look at the primers on the shells the cylinder felt loose so I started looking the gun over. The screw on the right side of the gun below the cylinder and to the left of the Made in USA S&W writing was gone. I looked all around for it for about 30 minutes, but it got dark and I couldn't see anything.

It must be the screw that holds the yoke in because that now that can be slipped off of the gun. I guess that is what caused the misfires.

Where can I find a replacement screw for this gun? I don't know the particular part # to look for or exactly what it is called.

I love the gun but can't shoot it again or use it for my home defense until I get the screw replaced.

Thanks for the help!

Frank

Attached Images

36-2 yoke screw missing 2.jpg (66.2 KB, 33 views)

Both Midway & Brownells sell yoke screws and side plate screws.

I don't know what type the -2 had. Most yoke screws are just fitted (to hold, but not bind the yoke) side plate screw. The new style has a plunger, & doesn't require fitting.

They sell both types. Search for "yoke screw s&w"

__________________
SWCA #2817

Good information above. It may require fitting (i.e., slightly long out of the package and require a very careful length adjustment) to retain the cylinder/yoke and not bind, which you may be able to do yourself or enlist a gunsmith to do.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Take it back to the gunsmith that tuned it up. Sounds like that screw wasn't tightened enough. A good routine is to check screws while cleaning. Good luck.

The smith had it completely apart and reassembled it after cleaning and tuning it. I did contact him and told him it had come out and didn't expect that after only having fired 60 rounds through it. He said it happens sometimes and told me he could buy a replacement from S&W for me for what he remembered was $15-20.

I didn't notice it being loose when I cleaned it after shooting the 50 rounds through it before this time out, but it is gone and now am getting a replacement from a vendor.

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond. I do have a replacement ordered and on the way.

I received in the mail today yoke screws from two different gun parts companies. Both companies were friendly, helpful, and shipped the product quickly.

My problem is they both sent the same type of yoke screw, but neither seem to fit.

They both took my S&W model number when I called and looked up the part number on a schematic. Both sent me the same type part.

When I spoke with S&W last week they said my gun was right on the cusp of changing to the newer yoke screw. I can only assume this is the newer type and mine takes an older one.

This one won't thread all the way into the side plate yoke screw hole, leaving the entire head out, even with the yoke removed to ensure I wasn't just hitting it.

I have attached a pic of the yoke screw I received. Anyone know where I can get what I guess is the older screw?

Thanks,

Frank

Attached Images

yoke screw.jpg (49.5 KB, 23 views)

You have absolutely received the new style yoke screw.
If you can stand having a used screw, PM me your address and I'll mail you one.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

PM gratefully sent...thanks so much!

my error.

I started thinking it unlikely that both companies, acting independently with only the same information I provided, would send the wrong yoke screw.

I remembered my gunsmith had posted a picture on FB when he had my gun apart and was correcting the run out on the extractor. I found it and saved it to my computer where I was able to zoom in to see what kind of yoke screw it had. It looked like the spring and plunger ones that I received.

I then put a drop of Ballistol on the threads of the new yoke screw and it began to go in smoothly without the resistance I had felt when I tried it dry. It had some red stuff (grease?) on it when I got it that was a little hard, so maybe that was making it appear to bind.

I cinched it down tight without gorillaing the screwdriver and it fit and looked as it did when I first got it. The yoke stays firmly in the gun, yet opens smoothly when unlatched without just falling out.

When I spoke with S&W last week they said my gun was right on the cusp of changing to the newer yoke screw, so I guess it indeed had.

I took the grips off so I could check both of the other two right side plate screws. They were both loose, so I tightened them down and reinstalled the grips. I believe my 36-2 is ready to go back to the gun range.

Thanks to all of you who replied and offered suggestions. A special thanks to TAROMAN for his gracious offer. This forum is truly a treasure!

When you install the screw, use "just a dab" of blue loctite. It will solve the problem of the screw backing out after/during use, but you still can remove it for cleaning, etc. You don't have to use the loctite every time; once will do it.

That "red stuff" isn't grease, it's a type of thread locker to insure you don't have a repeat performance of losing the screw. You do not need to use any Loctite.

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!