ptrumble1
Member
Anyone know when S&W stopped using the flat latch?
36 Flat Latch
- Thread starter ptrumble1
- Start date
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Malysh
Member
I think SCSW 3rd edition says 1966 was the year the flat latch was discontinued.
Please correct me if I'm wrong!
Please correct me if I'm wrong!
Don't know an exact date but I have a circa 1965 (385XXX) with the flat latch and a September 1966 (4562XX) with the later latch.
Russ
Russ
Tired Gunsmith
Member
Our clientele was adept at losing the "Thumb Piece" or latch as you describe.
We installed later ones on many revolvers when the originals had been phased out....along with ones that were to hard to use by some clients.
Also had some who liked the very early almost totally flat latch which we installed on later guns.
We installed later ones on many revolvers when the originals had been phased out....along with ones that were to hard to use by some clients.
Also had some who liked the very early almost totally flat latch which we installed on later guns.
Malysh
Member
Tired Gunsmith - maybe I can run something by you. I have a 1974 Bodyguard Airweight ( I thougt it was a 1971) with the typical thumb latch of the period.
I bought new old parts factory S&W flat latch for it from an independant gunsmith in Springfield MA. last year.
I wanted to replace the 1974 thumb latch on the Mod 38 with the flat latch.
Some members said it wouldn't work. I never tried to do it after that.
Would that flat latch fit on my 1974 Mod 38?
mikelain
US Veteran
I belive you could make the flat latch work. It would require changing the bolt also and the screw attaching to the bolt.
Malysh
Member
I took off what I call the standard pattern thumbpiece today and compared it with the flat latch. Without mods, it's a no-go.
You are correct, Mike. The bolt inside the frame is different. Whether a post 1966 J frame would accomodate the older bolt and the corresponding flat latch is something I don't know.
At this point it's time to give up and appreciate my 1974 Mod 38 for itself just the way it is. This is my carry Airweight anyway. I have much older Centennial Airweights and Chiefs Special Airweights flat latch guns that I didn't want to carry, to admire and take out for ocassional range sessions.
Thanks again, Mike.
