I recently bought a Model 645. I love it, but the big honkin' Phillips screw that holds the right side safety lever on detracts from the overall appearance. Is it possible to replace the 645 safety with one from a 4506? Is it a direct swap or is there milling involved? Appreciate any input, thanks.

Not sure about the interchageability of those two assemblies.....The S&W parts manual shows they are a different part number in those two guns.

Another option would be to replace the phillips head screw with a crown bolt with an allen head. Not the perfect solution, but certainly better looking than the phillips. They are available at the link below. The threaded shaft may have to be shortened some, but it should be close.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bo...2338/203575016

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I was lucky with my 645, the gun came with the Button Head Cap Screw from the factory.
To shorten the new Home Depot longer cap screw just run a nut up onto it before cutting or grinding the new screw to lenght to clean off the threads before cutting.
Don't forget the dab of Loctite.

It is a direct swap, although de-cock timing may be affected.

John

May be obvious, but in the event it isn't... you'll need the entire drum that fits inside the slide, including the left side paddle. It is an easy swap but it may not be on a shoestring budget.

I think the poster above meant right side paddle. Also, don't forget the plunger and spring to lock the paddle in place.

better yet, get the over sized one from a 745.and one sided.

__________________
viking

He did mean right side paddle -- point being, you cannot stick a 4506 right side paddle on the screw-in threaded type safety/decock drum that is original to a 645. Just not compatible.

However, you can swap out the entire safety drum.

Issues with that idea...

--745 parts are scarce

--You lose ambi if that is something you like/use

--blued parts on your stainless 645

--oversized paddles do not play well with all left side grip panels

Also come to think of it, the 745 uses a strict hammer block and has no decocker function. I have never attempted the swap but you may also lose the ability to decock the 645.