I bought a 629 6" barrel a few years ago with a Square D mount on it. I didn't shoot it much because I had other guns that held my interest back then.

I just recently got around to taking the mount off and putting the side plate screws back in I noticed that the one by the grip just drops in. It seems that someone tapped or wallowed out the hole and used the bigger screw that came with the mount (there is 2 sets of screws, 1 larger than the other).

My question is can you safely shoot a 629 with full power loads with only 2 of the 3 side plate screws in it?

The answer is probably yes, but personally I would find a replacement screw of the larger diameter (if still available) and modify the head so it fits flush with the sideplate. If this is not possible please disregard .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Most Gunsmiths and/or Machinists would be capable of determining what is the actual size of the required replacement screw. Most of you really handy guys out there could also. Fabrication is generally then mere modification of an existing screw. The slightly rounded head of the S&W sideplate screw is easily duplicated. IMHO, there could be some danger of damaging the fit of the sideplate if one were to shoot a lot of full power loads without that screw. Steel is fairly elastic and there is a slight amount of flexing of the frame of a handgun during firing with hot loads and while the frame is hot. I would get it replaced properly. ............... Big Cholla

+1 . . . In the meantime, the screw for the mount might serve temporarily.

Hopefully, having the screw that fits will make determining the size of a replacement screw pretty easy.

That mounting screw might even be a good candidate for modification if you don't care about the mount itself.

And . . . This might be a good excuse to post some pictures.

Best of luck, sir!