I have a pre-Model 43 airweight kit gun with the correct flat latch, which I find very difficult to use. Is it possible to install a more modern latch, and, if so, is it any more involved than unscrewing the old one (to be safely stored) and screwing on a new one?

You can switch it, but you'll also need the internal part (don't know what its called..."bolt" maybe?) that the latch screws to, as the threading fashion is different between the two. If you take the latch off a flat latch, and compare it to a later style latch, you'll see what I mean.

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ken
SWCA #1959

Switching it might be more trouble than it is worth. The screw, which is actually the nut, that holds the latch on is staked. Once you take it off you may not be able to put it back on and finding another one would be a miracle.

What are you talking about??????? How would you propose staking of the blind nut on it's stud could possibly be accomplished?

The flat latch and standard thumbpiece are completely different.

Standard thumbpiece: An integral stud nachimed as part of the bolt, the piece that pushes the center pin forward. This is retained by the thumbpiece nut, it is not staked.

Flat latch thumbpiece: This is retained by a standard screw that enters a drilled and tapped hole in the bolt to retain the thumbpiece. While the internal end of the screw is slightly hollow it is, if at all, only lightly staked. It is not difficult to remove and I have never had the need to replace the screw with a new one after removal of this style thumbpiece.



SRQ2002

If you can find a bolt for a pre-MIM J frame the chances are it will fit, probably with little fitting. In additon to the bolt you will need the thumbpiece and thumbpiece nut. You may need to replace the bolt spring and plunger, but probably not.

I did swap the requisite parts between a 1955 Kit Gun and a 1968 or so 30-1 to get the flat latch on the 30. Worked fine for 15-20 years until I swapped them back to get the parts back where they belonged.

SRQ2002,


Alk8944 is exactly right, I have done this several times for the same reason as you plus one other reason. If you know how to get the sideplate off and know you're way around the S&W innards, it is very easy to change the cylinder latch pin that the flatlatch is attached to. On occasion I've had to do a little fitting. As was said above, the plunger and spring are sometimes needed so get those too. They can be a slightly different diameter.

However, to avoid all of that if you don't want to get insde to change the cylinder latch pin, don't lose heart! There's a much easier way. And much more easily reversible if you ever want to put the flatlatch back on to sell the gun or whatever. When you buy your newer style thumblatch, get the nut and a rear sideplate screw.

The sideplate screw is the same thread as the flatlatch screw but has a longer head on it. You'll use that screw to attach the new thumbpiece. But 1st you need to carefully chuck it up in a Dremel tool or a small drill and file or sand the head by spinning it. Make it just small enough to fit snugly inside the new nut and JB Weld it in place. The snug fit will keep it perfectly straight. Then just screw it all together and you're done.

Now for the other reason I change the thumb latch. I like the pre war sexy style that I call the double hourglass style. You can find them thru suppliers of old S&W parts or on-line auctions. OR you've probably noticed that Smith has recreated the pre war style thumblatch for their classic models including the J frame. You can buy a new one if you don't mind MIM parts; they are more black than blue. I bought two from Smith. Which ever thumblatch you buy, be sure it's the I and J frame size. The K, L and N frame size is slightly bigger and won't fit your small frame.

You'll notice the bottom of the flat latch and the new latch are slightly different but it will work as is. If you're real picky you can file the bottom of the new latch slightly to make it fit down closer to the surface of the frame. Just don't go too far or it will leave marks under the latch on the side of the gun.

There you go, good luck and let us know what you decide to do and how it comes out.

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Jim
S&WCA #819