Post #37
New acquisition-5906 (I broke it already)
Typically, it's the
rear leg of the sideplate that's most most frequently damaged (tweaked, bent or snapped off).
The most common cause is improper installation of the factory grip.
That's usually because when someone is inattentive when installing a factory grip ...
... while they're busy trying to spread the front of each side of the grip (but still engage the frame window tabs on each side) ... keeping the main spring plunger captured in the backstrap's base ... pivoting the grip to be positioned to slide up the frame ... etc ... they may not realize the left top/front edge of the grip may have caught
under the bottom edge of the front sideplate extension. (The top corner of the L/F grip ought to move around, up and over the sideplate, sliding up past it without catching on it.)
If the grip corner has caught under the bottom edge of the sideplate, then pushing the grip the rest of the way into place can exert unwanted & improper leverage against the front of the sideplate, forcing the front of it upward. This causes the sideplate to pivot around its pin, but which means the rear leg (prong) of the sideplate can't move forward (rotate) because it's captured by (behind) the head of the sear pin. Something's going to give as you push harder to seat the grip, and it's often the rear leg of the sideplate. It's as strong as it needs to be to do its job, but not so strong that an inattentive armorer (or anyone else) can't damage it when subjecting it to unintended stresses (which don't normally occur when the gun is being normally used).
If one of the 3 levers, the hammer or one of the "Jesus" springs under the levers (on each side of the hammer in DA/SA guns)slips loose, reassembling the frame can become a task for someone who is familiar with doing it.
Have the replacement done by a smith familiar with the 3rd gen guns if you're unsure of installing the repair part properly. Lot's of critical parts are held in place by the sideplate pin, and their proper functioning is vital for safe, normal operation.