Removing Rt. Plate on S&W686 for Buffing

HorizontalMike

HorizontalMike

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How difficult is it to remove the right side plate on my 686? I have removed the three screws, but the plate is not loose. What is the trick to removing this plate?

FWIW, I scratched this plate with a screwdriver several years ago and it just bugs me every time I see it :mad: I have a buffing wheel and compound but do NOT want to get any of the compound near the 686 proper, if you know what I mean.

How do I get this darn plate off?
 

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Take the grips off and tap the left side of the grip frame with a screwdriver handle.The plate will fly off ,so be ready.
 
HorizontalMike said:
How difficult is it to remove the right side plate on my 686? I have removed the three screws, but the plate is not loose. What is the trick to removing this plate?

FWIW, I scratched this plate with a screwdriver several years ago and it just bugs me every time I see it :mad: I have a buffing wheel and compound but do NOT want to get any of the compound near the 686 proper, if you know what I mean.

How do I get this darn plate off?
Click to expand...

Tap the grip frame with a plastic or non-marring mallet or the handle end of a screwdriver. Do NOT pry it. Be careful that you do not lose the hammer block upon removal of the side plate. The screws are specific to location, even though they may look the same. You must make absolutely certain that each screw goes back into the hole from which it was removed.

Upon reassembly, make sure the hammer block is in its proper location. If not, it will make reassembly impossible. You start it back by placing the tab on the upper edge near the top under the revolver frame and then, carefully making certain everything is lined up, you start it back by pressing down with your thumbs. Finish seating it with light taps from that non-marring mallet.

When you reinstall the screws, use NO thread locker (Loctite) of any kind. Tighten right down until the screws stop, but do not torque them any tighter than that. Take great care NOT to strip the screw threads.

Nothing requires force. Everything is finesse. If you have to force something, it means something is out of place.

I suggest you look at Jerry Miculek's video to see about side plate removal and reinstallation.

How to install a spring kit (trigger job) with Jerry Miculek - YouTube
 
Wow, that didn't take long once I had the plate in hand. Thanks so much. I had grieved over that scratch for years! I now feel like my 686 is new again :D

I attached the results below...
 

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AIN'T THIS A GREAT PLACE!!!!!:D:D :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

SmileyWelcome.gif
 
One quick note about that scratch. It'll be real easy to polish too much of the steel where the scratch is, making the seam between the plate and the frame uneven. Be careful. Don't over-do it.
 
Actually Mike, after seeing how much the 10k grit was polishing, I switched over to a wire wheel on my DP. THAT gave me a better brushed steel look than the 10k grit.

Thanks for the heads-up though, I can see where that could happen. Got lucky this time. :)
 
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