The Short Version:
I need a new button head cap screw to replace the one that holds down either the rear sight assembly or picatinny rail. I know that it is a 8-32 threaded screw, I just need to know the proper length. If anybody could take a quick measurement, it would be greatly appreciated...

The Whole Story:
Back in December, I mounted the plastic rail onto my Victory so that I could install a red-dot sight for plate shooting. I had a bit of trouble right from the beginning, as after about 100 rounds the screw would loosen itself allowing the whole rail and scope to shift around. After trying to solve the problem by applying an appropriate amount of torque, I decided to use a small amount of temporary thread locker. Now, I am no stranger to mechanical assembly and use of thread locking compounds, and I used what I considered at the time to be appropriate amount of compound. This did the trick, and for the last couple months, it has stayed put.

Last week I decided that I was longer in love with the red dot sight setup, mostly because it added a bit of unwanted of weight to the gun, but also due in part to not seeing a much competitive advantage with the dot sight I was using over the iron sights. This being the case, I removed the dot sight, and attempted to remove the screw holding down the rail. In the process, I stripped two hex wrenches before ultimately stripping out the screw. At that point, I utilized a screw extraction kit, though after drilling through and ultimately breaking off the screw head, the rest of the screw loosened up enough to be turned out, and thus I ended up not needing the extractor bit at all. From what I can measure with my dial caliper, I believe the screw is supposed to be around 1/4" in length, though this may not be right. I have a temporary screw installed, pan-head machine screw, around 3/16" in length, and I know that it is way too short, however it catches enough threads to hold down the rear sight assembly. I just want a confirmation that 1/4" is the proper length as I suspect, or if it is supposed to be 5/16" before I go ordering one.

Thanks in advance for any help you all can give me, and I advise anyone else thinking of doing so, to not use thread locker anywhere on this gun. I would recommend instead, as I plan to do myself, to utilize a lock washer or star washer.

You did use blue thread locker, not red, didn't you? Red requires heat to get the screw out. Heat might have helped the blue too (not sure about that, but it wouldn't hurt to try).

If you call S&W, I'll bet they will send you a new screw for free.

I used blue thread locker from Permatex, a thread locker I am less familiar with as I tend to use Loctite 243 more often. The Permatex seems to be a little stronger for the given volume applied, I guess?

I do a lot of mechanical assembly as part of my work, and thread locking compound is used on every project I do. The only time I had a bolt seize this bad with blue thread locker, was on a unit I was overhauling and found that the original assembly technician has used a half a tube of locker per bolt. I am not kidding when I say that when the bolts eventually came out, they were coated with enough thread locker to make them look like blue candles.

My approach to thread locker is a small drip in one spot on the bolt threads, the amount being proportional to the bolt size. This usually works well for me, just not in this case.

My button screw measures 0.3205" overall. The threaded shank measures 0.2340".

Now, I have a question: Does anyone know of an aftermarket grip that is a little wider than the OEM grip? I don't really care for the 'feel' of the OEM grip and would like one slightly wider. Also, I wouldn't mind a little 'palm swell' on the right grip panel. .......

build them how you want them.......

Big Cholla I believe Altemont is selling nice wood grips for this model handgun. They look quite nice and are slightly larger in the handfit of them. I am told.

Thanks for the measurements and advice guys, I went ahead and got a button head cap screw from the hardware store and ground it down to the length specified by Big Chola. I did mar the head a little bit in the process, but it still looks ok... I also called S&W yesterday, and they agreed to send my a new screw, no charge, it will be at least 10 days before I get it, hence my temporary button head so at least I can continue to shoot it in the meantime.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk