Getting screwed

[IAM Rand]

So I have been drooling over 645s. I have switched to Roku and have been watching reruns of Miami Vice. One more reason the 80's were the best. In looking up Crockett's pistols I found that in some of the episodes he carried the 645.

So I have been checking out GB for 645s. I have noticed on some of these and in the past, on other of the old metal S&Ws that there is a screw on the right side decocker/safety. Some have been Phillips, some flathead, and some look like Allen. What is supposed to be standard? I am just concerned that the screw fell out and someone went to the local hardware store and picked up what would fit.

[N4KVE]

They changed over the years. I don’t remember the exact chronological order though. Phillips, or Allen. My 645 uses 4506 safety levers to avoid the whole problem. GARY.

[xfarfuldog]

At one time there was a problem with Smith decocker screws coming off on the right side decock/safety. Smith corrected it on the later models. That is the reason for the variation.

[sceva]

I like slotted screws, can stand socket head but I just hate a Philips head screw on a nice firearm.

[JohnHL]

Originally Posted by IAM Rand

So I have been drooling over 645s. I have switched to Roku and have been watching reruns of Miami Vice. One more reason the 80's were the best. In looking up Crockett's pistols I found that in some of the episodes he carried the 645.

So I have been checking out GB for 645s. I have noticed on some of these and in the past, on other of the old metal S&Ws that there is a screw on the right side decocker/safety. Some have been Phillips, some flathead, and some look like Allen. What is supposed to be standard? I am just concerned that the screw fell out and someone went to the local hardware store and picked up what would fit.

S&W started with Allen socket screws.

They came loose and fell off.

Owners did not like that.

S&W responded that owners were not keeping them tight and surmised that not enough people had the proper sized Allen wrench.

S&W updated to the Phillips head because everybody has a Phillips screwdriver.

The Phillips screws came loose and fell off.

Owners did not like that and did not like the look of the Phillips screw even more.

S&W fixed it with the 3rd gens by eliminating the screw.

John

[IAM Rand]

Should Loctite be used? I have a 6904 that has the spring and nipple to hold the right side lever on. That isn't fool proof either. I have had to replace the spring and nipple because after years in my possession the spring lost its well spring and went flying during a range session.

[4T5GUY]

My ‘83 459, both my ‘87 639, 659 and ‘88 645 came with Phillip heads.

I’ve replaced, (or rather upgraded,) all my 2nd gen ambi’s to 3rd gen ones. My 639 was missing its lever when I got it. Back then it was impossible to source a new lever and complete 3rd gen safety/decockers were readily available and fairly inexpensive. Surprisingly I actually had to use a hand impact to loosen up the 459 lever screw. Operation is flawless and they’re cleaner looking. I’ve saved all the originals and they’ll go with the pistols when/if it’s time.

Jim

[PALADIN85020]

Hard to beat a 645 for reliability. A drop of blue LocTite on that screw will solve the looseness problem. I bought this one soon after they first appeared at a gun store in El Paso. These pistols will actually feed empty cases from the magazine. They are effective self-defense weapons.

John

[Bruce51]

it took me several years to acquire a 645. Traded a couple of rifles and got a nice one.
When I did the strip, clean and lube job it was very dry, clean and no real signs of being fired.

I did replace the phillips screw with a ss socket head. It came loose even with locktite.
Finally used five minute epoxy and it has not been a problem since.

Bruce

[jimmyj]

I carried a Model 4506 (square trigger guard) for an agency I was employed by. The right side safety screw also loosen and fell off. I called S&W and they sent me a replacement. tighten it up and occaismly checked it. negative issue from then on.

[stansdds]

Sonny's primary handgun was the Bren Ten for seasons 1 and 2. With Dornhaus & Dixon going out of business, for seasons 3 and 4, Sonny used the S&W Model 645. For season 5, he used the newly introduced 4506.

The right side safety lever on the Model 645, like the ambidextrous safeties on all of S&W's second generation 9mm pistols, was retained with a stainless steel machine screw. Initially, this was an Allen head screw, but was later changed to a Phillips head screw. To keep the screw from loosening during recoil, clean all residue and lubricants from the threads of the screw and the safety. Apply fingernail polish, blue Locktite, or Vibratite to the screw threads, tighten the screw and allow the thread locking material to set. If you don't want to go to that trouble, then just get the threads clean and check the screw at every range trip.

[cmansguns]

My 639 came to me with missing right side safety and screw. Mine shipped in June 1983 per Roy. Nice gun, worked flawlessly without anything on right side. I decided I ought to at least have some factory parts if ever wanting to move this gun on so went looking.

The safety lever was danged expensive itself. $32.52 + shipping from Numrich..no screw of any kind available. Phillips head was $2.99 + shipping and tax from Midway, $3.52 + shipping and tax from Numrich BUT...both places either discontinued or out of stock altogether.

Trip to Home Depot, $1.45 gets a bag of 4, stainless steel Allen socket head screws... problem solved. Hasn't loosened or fell off since (approx 500 to 600 rounds downrange). I use the Allen head for range duty, but thanks to a generous Forum Member, an original Phillips head arrived in the mail so I have it in case I ever sell the gun (not likely anytime soon).

I'll have to check my parts stash for sure, or my miscellaneous screw drawer in the garage, but if the OP will PM me with an address, I'll be happy to mail one of the Home Depot screws to you.

[Sevens]

So I have been checking out GB for 645s. I have noticed on some of these and in the past, on other of the old metal S&Ws that there is a screw on the right side decocker/safety. Some have been Phillips, some flathead, and some look like Allen.

With a used gun on GB it seems possible to find any variation, including held on with bubble gum. But I’m just posting to say that I have NEVER seen a flat head screw retaining a right sight decock lever on any S&W pistol.

[gmborkovic]

For Godsake, we are talking about a screw coming loose! We are gun guys, figure it out. I personally put a spot of weld on it. Solved the problem. I think it looks good. Wink.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Originally Posted by IAM Rand

So I have been drooling over 645s. I have switched to Roku and have been watching reruns of Miami Vice. One more reason the 80's were the best. In looking up Crockett's pistols I found that in some of the episodes he carried the 645.

So I have been checking out GB for 645s. I have noticed on some of these and in the past, on other of the old metal S&Ws that there is a screw on the right side decocker/safety. Some have been Phillips, some flathead, and some look like Allen. What is supposed to be standard? I am just concerned that the screw fell out and someone went to the local hardware store and picked up what would fit.

When I was a cop the 645 was approved for on duty use and it had issues. So they were left in the locker and most cops went back to the 9mm. But when the 4506 came out it was significantly improved so I and others went to the 4506.

[IAM Rand]

Originally Posted by SGT ROCK 11B

When I was a cop the 645 was approved for on duty use and it had issues. So they were left in the locker and most cops went back to the 9mm. But when the 4506 came out it was significantly improved so I and others went to the 4506.

What were the issues? I have also been looking at the 4506 but, they seem to be more expensive

[stansdds]

The issues with the Model 645 that I am aware of was the screw retained right side safety lever and barrel bushings that were sometimes loosely fit into the slide. I also read that the Model 645's chamber was close to SAAMI minimum dimensions, good for accuracy, might not be good for reloaded ammo using 0.452" diameter bullets.

The other issue was the first run of magazines, which had metal followers that could cause jams and metal floor plates that were held to the magazine body by a small, metal tab. Those floor plates could slide forward and off of the magazine during a fast magazine change.

[Sevens]

Originally Posted by JohnHL

S&W started with Allen socket screws.

When I reflect back on the many years I’ve shared this forum with my buddy JohnHL it occurs to me that most any time I’ve disagreed with him on some little nuance in S&W history… he is correct and I am mistaken!

Luckily for both of us, I will let donk52 take the other side on this one. He assembled the first of the 645’s (marked them with his identifying stamp “0”) and he did not like their first fastener for the right side decock lever… the philips head machine screw.

[JohnHL]

Originally Posted by Sevens

When I reflect back on the many years I’ve shared this forum with my buddy JohnHL it occurs to me that most any time I’ve disagreed with him on some little nuance in S&W history… he is correct and I am mistaken!

Luckily for both of us, I will let donk52 take the other side on this one. He assembled the first of the 645’s (marked them with his identifying stamp “0”) and he did not like their first fastener for the right side decock lever… the philips head machine screw.

Brother Sevens is correct in his assertion that donk52 has definitely been there and done that!

However, never being one to leave a hair unsplit, I was referring to my recalled history of the 2nd gen ambi safety lever retaining screw in general (which first appeared ca. 1979 on the model 459) and not specifically to the model 645 (which debuted in 1985).

As the O.P. was asking about the model 645, I must respectfully defer to my esteemed colleagues.

John

[03hemi]

His 645 was replaced with the new (then) 4506 in later seasons, the useless and collectable Bren 10 is the gun to get imo.

[sigp220.45]

I love my 645. The first time I shot it I felt something hit my hand in the middle of a magazine. It was the big ol’ phillps screw from the safety. I screwed it back in, finished shooting, and put some loctite on it when I got home. No problems since.

[Sevens]

Originally Posted by JohnHL

However, never being one to leave a hair unsplit

John

DAGNABBIT he got me AGAIN!