Apparent design flaw on the SW22 Victory.

[s-w bug]

Just put a #61 o-ring in mine. Will see how it works next time out.

 

[Magload]

Well there are enough of us working on this problem we should come up with something. Alwaysarmed may have it but we will see. If I could get just half of what he is getting I could live with it. I think we should keep on S&W CS just in case they finely decide they may have a problem and have come up with a fix we don't know about. I will call them tomorrow as my screw nearly fell out. Don

 

[shawn mccarver]

I am not at all surprised by this. The Victory looks like a warmed over 22A. Use of a hex screw turned this Victory model into a non-starter for me as soon as I realized how take down was accomplished.

 

[smithman 10]

Red loctite

On my new 442 yoke screw. I thought it was a little tight. I guess they don't want folks messing around with the innards anymore.

I mean I didn't put lighter springs in there or anything but that must be what they are afraid of. I applied just a very wee bit of CLP on the sides of the hammer and besides, I always take everything down on a new gun just to see that everything is a-okay.

This was a brand new from the gun shop 442, not a used gun so it came that way from the factory.

Does this seem strange to anyone? That they evidently don't anticipate an owner will ever take the side plate off a 442?

 

[Ed Fowler]

Not that the information would be earth shaking, I would like to see included what ammo is being used included in the posts.

 

[AlwaysArmed]

I would like to see included what ammo is being used included in the posts.

CCI SV brick
Blazer brick
Federal Champion HP bulk pack blue box 525 rounds
Federal Champion brick
Aguila Super Extra HV brick
Aguila Rifle Match brick
CCI Mini Mag LRN 100 box
CCI Mini Mag HP 100 box
CCI Sub Sonic HP 100 box
Norma USA Tac-22 brick

That makes about 3000 rounds through this pistol without any glitch whatsoever.

 

[Magload]

Not that the information would be earth shaking, I would like to see included what ammo is being used included in the posts.

25 rounds of each. The screw was tighten as tight as I could get it with the Allen wrench provided. It was about to fall out on the last group shot.
Norma TAC-22
Remington Thunderbolts
CCI Standard Velocity
Federal Target Grade Auto Match
Eley Target
Aguila Rifle Match.

All ammo cycled fine and gave good groups.

 

[Retired in 2001]

I would use a bore brush a rimfire shooter best friend zip zip it is done a couple of q-tips a quick swipe of a toothbrush easy piese lemon easy

 

[Magload]

Fired another 100 rounds today and the Purple Loc Tite held so far. I normally only shoot a 100 rounds a range trip as I go 4 to 5 times a week. Don

 

[s-w bug]

fired 100 rounds today. So far o-ring seams to be working.

 

[pjevans]

fired 100 rounds today. So far o-ring seams to be working.

I shot mine today, put 100 rounds through it - yep, it comes loose. I'll try the #61 o-ring solution and see how it works out. Where'd you pick yours up at?

Thanks for the tip!
-- P.J.

 

[s-w bug]

ACE hardware ,59ea

 

[NWHuntnFish]

Picked up my Victory about a week ago and had it out to the range three times and experienced problems with the take down screw backing out. Also was surprised when I did my pre range cleaning at the force it took to break the take down screw loose. Lots of pressure then a very crisp "pop" as it broke loose. After less than 100 rounds on trip one and two I went to Lowe's and bought an extended 1/8" hex to put some muscle into it. Tightened it enough that I thought no way this is moving. After 75 rounds today it was loose again. I am looking forward to trying AlwaysArmed's suggested solution and see if that will tighten it up enough to hold for awhile. Really like the pistol and the sights. Very accurate for under $400 and nice trigger out of the box. Not sure what I could do at this time to improve on how it performs. Agree that we should keep pressure on S&W CS concerning the issue as this is not normal for a pistol. Appreciate everyone's ideas and sharing concerning this issue.

 

[Nikkisdad]

I also have a brand new sw22 shot it 300 rds without the screw getting loose. I did disassemble and clean prior to range session tightened the screw and as I said it did not loosen. I wonder if the length of the screw has any bearing - maybe some are a little longer or shorter then others???????

 

[quickkill730]

I had the screw come loose the fist time out. I also cleaned it prior. After that I made sure to tighten it down with my own 5in Allen key to get enough torque. Haven't had a problem since.

 

[flywrench]

Two trips to the range with mine. 150 rounds 1st trip, 350 today. All screws stayed nice and tight. Clean and lube before 1st trip, between trips and after 2nd. Love this gun so far. Several different brands and types used, only had trouble with Federal 36 grain Value Pack not ejecting.

 

[andyo5]

Loctite is not intended for use on screws that must repeatedly be removed and reapplied.
S&W copied this feature from the Browning Buckmark. And this is the reason that I sold my Buckmark. In order to clean the gun, you had to remove a screw that held the barrel to the frame. And the screw would often come loose while I was shooting the gun in competitions. If you repeatedly use Loctite on the screw, it won't be long before you have a mess on your hands.
I feel that using a screw to attach the barrel to the frame is a design mistake.

 

[Nikkisdad]

How about a little teflon tape, easily removed and replaced.

 

[andyo5]

I had the screw come loose the fist time out. I also cleaned it prior. After that I made sure to tighten it down with my own 5in Allen key to get enough torque. Haven't had a problem since.

Maybe using enough torque is the answer. There are inexpensive torque wrenches on the market, calibrated in inch-pounds. Once you have the magic number, you could repeat it every time.
What does the owner's manual say about this screw?

POSTSCRIPT: I was able to view the manual online. It says to tighten the screw until it is 'snug'. And it advises to periodically check the tightness of the screw and tighten as necessary. I suppose this means keeping an allen wrench in your range bag and checking the screw before and during shooting.

 

[Magload]

I took a paint pen and put a small mark on the screw and a mark on the frame. I used Purple Loc Tite after really cleaning the screw and the screw hole then threaded it in, backed it out to get the loc Tite in the threads good then torqued to 40 inch pounds. It was coming loose every 50 rounds and nearly fell out the last time. After doing this it has not mover in 700 rounds.