Any of you use Loctite or Permatex routinely on side plate screws?

[Da Nang Seabee]

My colors aren't so good anymore so it probably is purple. Some guys use the purple stuff on the loading arm of the repo Colt Walkers as they work out pretty easy. ( sorry I used the C word)

 

[Walter Rego]

I have found that thoroughly cleaning and degreasing the hole and the screw threads and then putting the screw in snug eliminates the vast majority of problems.
In the rare instance that Loctite is justified, I have used the blue formula only, on a degreased screw and degreased hole, and then just a mere trace of the compound on the threads. I'll put just a fraction of a drop on the screw and then touch a piece of paper towel on the Loctite to wick most of it away. You don't need much on tiny gun screws, you're not trying to keep a 1960's Triumph Bonneville from shaking every screw on it loose every time you ride it.

 

[COWBOYUP57]

Purple Loctite is made to allow screw removal without heating, i.e., a weaker bond. I'd think that would be the one to use on sideplate screws In any event, I have never felt the need to use anything like Loctite on a revolver sideplate screw. Just check them occasionally. I have a Winchester M94 that has one receiver screw which is prone to backing out after 20 or so rounds, but I am well aware of that and just retighten it frequently. I am never too far from a suitable screwdriver.

Does that Screwedriver Have Orange Juice In It ??
COWBOYUP57 ..

 

[tomcatt51]

Does that Screwedriver Have Orange Juice In It ??

Tequila and grenadine instead of red Loctite... but then it's not a screw driver.

 

[deputydon]

Never

-don

 

[Ed Fowler]

If you do decide to use locktite on your screws, please use a dremmel engraver and write on the side plate that locktite has been used. Will save future generations some headaches.

 

[S&WIowegan]

We are talking past one another on this topic. Tomcatt51 and I are competitive shooters in action shooting sports where stopping to tighten a screw isn't feasible. Yes, S&W has been putting a red threadlocker on yoke screw since the advent of the spring-loaded screw. I have lost a complete yoke/cylinder assembly during a speed reload. We have a great video of one of our very experienced shooters having it happen during a stage.

I don't quite get the apparent righteous indignation against locktite. Is there a chapter in the bible? Thou shalt not ever use locktite on a gun!!

 

[shawn mccarver]

After resolving my lost yoke screw issue yesterday, I thought about using Loctite or Permatex when installing those side plate screws.

Any of you do that as a matter of routine with all of your S&W side plate screws?

Thanks,

Frank

I use a screwdriver and screw them right down. I do not over-tighten. I have never lost one yet. They are long enough that you can see one starting to come out long before it falls out - if you look. Please save yourself the trouble. Get a correct screwdriver for gun screws and look. Snug down as required. You will be happy. And so will your revolver!

 

[tomcatt51]

I don't quite get the apparent righteous indignation against locktite. Is there a chapter in the bible? Thou shalt not ever use locktite on a gun!!

Same here. Seems the only problem with Loctite is the users that can't seem to grasp the concept of using the correct type of Loctite for the application. One size doesn't fit all in spite of what some seem to think...

 

[tomcatt51]

I use a screwdriver and screw them right down. I do not over-tighten. I have never lost one yet. They are long enough that you can see one starting to come out long before it falls out -

Oh my... PROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS DON'T COME LOOSE... clearly you weren't PROPERLY TIGHTENING THEM. Or has that morphed into PROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS DON'T FALL OUT, IF YOU CATCH THEM IN TIME?

In spite of my sarcastic nature I have to applaud your honesty about them coming loose.

 

[Ed Fowler]

I shot my K 38 for 10 years in competition, earned my life time master classification. Never, not one time - did I loose a side plate screw. I never used loctite. How a serious competitor could loose a yoke cylinder assembly is beyond me.

 

[tomcatt51]

I shot my K 38 for 10 years in competition,...

Bullseye?..

 

[Ed Fowler]

Bullseye and PPC, mostly PPC in formal competition.

 

[stu1ritter]

Whoever thinks that Loctite blue should be used on gun screws really needs to go to the Loctite web site and do some reading. I don't think I've ever seen a S&W revolver that has a 1/4" screw which is the lower limit for BLUE.

Stu

 

[Theunissen]

Thanks for your comment on this and advice. I'll probably keep an. Eye on it next time I take the cylinder back and the screw back without using anything. If it would ever go loose, I'll try the purple from then on.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I shot my K 38 for 10 years in competition, earned my life time master classification. Never, not one time - did I loose a side plate screw. I never used loctite. How a serious competitor could loose a yoke cylinder assembly is beyond me.

I'll try to explain it so you can understand. The gun in both instances was a 625-3 5" bbl. being used in a USPSA action pistol match. During a stage, it is quite common to need to do several reloads on the run. If the spent brass fails to drop out competitors may hit the ejector rod a bit hard, which has caused the entire cylinder/yoke assembly to exit the gun. I have not seen this kind of thing in slow motion but I believe the spring-loaded yoke screw is the culprit.

 

[Ed Fowler]

It may be that someone did some "custom" work on that 625. I have seen some competitors do some goofy stuff to the frames of their revolvers.

I just took the yoke screw out of my 625-6 and tried to knock the cylinder loose without sliding the yoke forward. I shot 100 rounds and ejecting and reloading ammo and no problems.

Let my friend shoot it without telling him about the missing screw and he had no problems.

You did give me the opportunity to shoot one of my favorite target pistols.

 

[S&WIowegan]

It may be that someone did some "custom" work on that 625. I have seen some competitors do some goofy stuff to the frames of their revolvers.

I just took the yoke screw out of my 625-6 and tried to knock the cylinder loose without sliding the yoke forward. I shot 100 rounds and ejecting and reloading ammo and no problems.

Let my friend shoot it without telling him about the missing screw and he had no problems.

You did give me the opportunity to shoot one of my favorite target pistols.

The only custom work done on the two guns was chamfer of the chambers and trigger jobs to lighten DA trigger pull. Neither of us who experienced this can explain how either. Glad you got to do some shooting.

 

[smitholdtimer]

No Loctite!

Short Answer, "NO". Never! Not a recommended preventative for a problem that doesn't exit. I carried and depended on my S&W revolvers and never experienced any need for "Loctite".
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