Ok - need to fix an accident cleaning my 617

[Pat the Gunsmith]

Got my first 1911 in 1989 and never in my life have I seen a barrel link pin fall out.

After doing warranty repairs for Colt, for over a decade, link pins fall out, from factory new Colts and, some, need to be driven out. Colt did NOT consider that defective.

 

[Navy vet]

I'd call S&W.

S&W support is great! I have a M&P 5.7. Wanted to put a Holosun 507K on it. Called S&W to get correct specs or p/n. Guy said no worries, I'll send you what you need no charge. Fast forward 3 months. After 500 rounds, time to clean said 5.7. I couldn't get the barrel thread protector off to save my life. I used soft jaw pliers. I eventually used channel-lock pliers with cloth inserted. But still damaged the thread protector. Aesthetic damage only. But I was still bummed. Called S&W support. Explained what happened and asked how to order replacement. He said, I will ship a replacement right away. Both items took about two weeks to get, but I wasn't going to complain.

 

[maxfam]

Was cleaning my 617-6, on my loading bench. Took the yoke screw out and removed the cylinder to make cleaning the ten chambers easier. Put the screw in a small plastic tray, open top, as is my habit. Moved some things around my bench to make room for the others, my Super Wrangler and my Wrangler Shopkeeper. Bumped the tray against something, and heard the dreaded "plink" as the screw hit the floor, I think. Thirty minutes of search under and around the bench, and it's there somewhere, but I can't find it. Even with a magnet on a stick. Bleah.

So who is a good resource to buy a new yoke screw? It's the new version, with the spring and plunger point. It's the stainless model.

It’s not lost until you stop looking for it.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Launched the slide bushing for a Browning 11-22 in the shop somewhere. It has yet to surface, despite much searching. Finally got one from Numrich, after realizing the nomenclature was wrong (looked for "barrel bushing").
Stuff that makes you nuts.
Moon

 

[bones001]

I picked this tip up along the way at some point. Corrugated cardboard box flap punched with a small phillips screwdriver. Apologies for the lousy artwork. The circled hole is for the cylinder release screw. Also picked up a telescoping magnetic wand at HF. That's an M12 stainless bolt it's holding. Very handy.

 

[VaTom]

When small metal parts hit the concrete floor it is funny how far away they end up. Was recently working on my Stihl Weed Eater when a housing screw rolled off the bench. Heard it hit the floor. Dreaded the search. Used the flashlight method. Found it 8’ away from the bench after a 15 minute search. Need a magnetic bowl. Every time something happens I promise myself to get one. Never have.

 

[pasound]

I once launched the trigger rebound spring from a K-38 across the room, hearing it bounce off the ceiling behind me. I didn't hear it hit the floor. I grabbed my flashlight and had a strange thought that it had hit the ceiling above the closed window curtain. Sure enough, there it was, laying on the window sill.
I bought a Smithmaster tool immediately after.

 

[45Smashemflat]

Sounds like many of us have assumed “the gunsmith praying position” even if we are not REAL gunsmiths.

 

[Papaorca]

S&W support is great! I have a M&P 5.7. Wanted to put a Holosun 507K on it. Called S&W to get correct specs or p/n. Guy said no worries, I'll send you what you need no charge. Fast forward 3 months. After 500 rounds, time to clean said 5.7. I couldn't get the barrel thread protector off to save my life. I used soft jaw pliers. I eventually used channel-lock pliers with cloth inserted. But still damaged the thread protector. Aesthetic damage only. But I was still bummed. Called S&W support. Explained what happened and asked how to order replacement. He said, I will ship a replacement right away. Both items took about two weeks to get, but I wasn't going to complain.

I have the same configuration. I really like the Holosun. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the thread protector is removable with a 12-point socket. I don't remember the size and haven't been able to find the source.

 

[Parusky1]

And get yourself a Magnetized metal tray for small parts... ask me how I know??

Magnet does not work on Stainless Steel

 

[chief38]

After doing warranty repairs for Colt, for over a decade, link pins fall out, from factory new Colts and, some, need to be driven out. Colt did NOT consider that defective.

Not just on Colt's. Just seems that's the way 1911's are. I have a bunch - some fall out & some need a punch. If that ever bothers me I'll just put a new one in - I probably have a few laying around. They are tapered pins and some are more tapered than others.