645, Help! (Long and involves gunsmithing)

[Chefjon]

I picked up a 645 at the last gun show from a FFL. I waited my 3 days (yeah, I know I should have my CWP by now), picked it up and took it to the range.

Problem #1

8 nice bangs, no slide lock. Next mag (came w/2)- 8 nice bangs...no slide lock.

I took it to the range owner and he looked it over and said it looked like the slide-stop wasn't for a 645. The pin didn't seem to go far enough through the frame. He pulled out a 1006 (that he had on layaway for a sweet $450...kicking myself for missing that one), swapped out the slide stop with mine and the slide locked after the last round on each mag.

I called the FFL and he agreed to swap it for another 645 but when I arrived the next day (A 45 min drive for me, 1 way) he didn't have that one but tried to exchange it for a 4546. I told him I wasn't interested in a DAO and he said he'd try and find me a 645 or something equal. I took the defective 645 back and am waiting on him to find me something.

While waiting, I have realized that I'm pretty in-love with this model and want to keep it. I went on Numrich's site and they're out of the "slide-stop assembly" but I noticed on the schematic that there's a "slide-stop pin" (Part # 71)that my assembly seems to be missing.

Could this be the issue? If that's it, it's a $2.35 part. If it's the whole assembly, it's $43.45 and they're sold out.

Has anyone else had a problem like this?

Problem #2

When I bought this 645, it was lacking the right-side "de-cock/safety lever" There's a threaded hole and notch where it should be.

I figured "How much can that cost?". From the Numrich site, again, I believe it's Part #2 for $27.75...and, once again-sold out.

My question here is: How hard is that to replace (Can i just screw it in?)? They have a whole ambi-safety assembly for $46.45...how hard is that to replace? What tools would be needed? I don't have ANY gunsmithing experience, but I catch on pretty quick.

Problem #3

I thought I had a "steal" for the price...$330 OTD. I should have listened to the little voice in my head saying "If it sounds too good to be true...". I now have $40 in gas and 3hrs drive time invested as well (FFL did say he'd come to me next time).

If he can't find another 645 in acceptable condition, should I swap it for another S&W Semi (he has a bunch of others, just mostly DAO or WAY more expensive) or just take my money back (He did say he'd give me more than I paid for the trouble)?

Should I try and fix it and ask him to make up the difference? I'd like to keep this gun, especially since it has a matching box and papers.

If it was in 90% (after fixing), would I still be even/ahead on the price? What's the estimated value in your area?

Random other questions

It does have some light surface scratching. Does polishing that out change the value +/-?

The serial # is TAK1220, would anyone know the birthday for it?

Thank You

I know this post is long, narrative, and asks for some personal opinions/guesswork. Thanks in advance for your knowledge and wisdom!

 

[surfgun]

Brownells should have the parts in stock (slide stop), in regards to safety parts, the 645 specific parts are surely long gone. But your in luck as a 4506's safety parts can be installed into the 645. But you will have to upgrade both sides (both levers) of the safety.

 

[RGore]

Chefjohn: your price, even with the added parts seems good to me. Maybe not a steal, but still good. In some areas real good. Your instincts are right on. The 645 is a great gun. I'd try to find a way to salvage the deal, if you can without it all going sideways.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Utilize the WTB section here. Someone here may have what you need laying around and no where near those ridiculous prices.

Shoot some pics of your gun on what you are needing to confirm.

Good luck

 

[CALREB]

chefjon, CQB is right if you can post a photo of the slidestop it would be helpful to see exactly what you need. Im pretty sure I have the screw and lever for your safety,sitting around, from an old upgrade.Let us see if your slidestop is missing the plunger and spring or is the wrong one. Thx CB

 

[Chefjon]

Thank you so much, everyone, for the input and advise! Here are some pics, sorry about the quality-my cheapo phone is all I have atm.

General pics:





The place where the slide-stop comes through the frame. When it was swapped out for a 1006 slide-stop, it protruded further and the slide locked after each empty mag.



The hole where there *should be* a safety lever.



The slide-stop "assembly". From the Numrich 'exploded view', there seems to be a tiny pin missing.



More pics to follow!

 

[Chefjon]

More pics showing finish and grip wear (and one more pic of that pesky slide-stop).

It came w/out a grip screw, but that's an easy fix, and Numrich has wood grips that I think I'd like to add anyway

Once I get this sorted out (and hopefully, still with this gun) I'll be looking to y'all for advise as to buffing the scratches out. Luckily, it's brushed-stainless where somebody drug the slide-stop across it.

Thanks again!

 

[SW CQB 45]

I am no expert....but the slide stop pin does seem short. There is no pin missing...its a short roll pin retaining the spring and detent.

 

[Badkarma 1]

The ambi safety of the 645 always had a problem with its right side lever coming lose and falling out, most of us take it out and apply a small bit of Loctite to it to prevent it.
Now as too the scratches, it's up too you if you want to "buff" them out, me, I'd leave them on as it gives the gun character call them "battle scars"! If you do decide to rub them out get some Scotchbrite pads and follow the grain of the steel. They work wonders on rust spots too!
Also you might want to replace your recoil spring and magazine springs. Dale

 

[Chefjon]

Update

I just talked to the dealer who sold me the 645, and he couldn't find a replacement. He offered me my money back +$20 for the gas and time it took for me to come to him.

I decided to keep her.

He's sending me 2 more mags to make it right!

I called S&W to see if I could order parts and the guy I spoke with tried to order the slide-stop assembly but was out of stock. He then told me he'd send me one FREE OF CHARGE from his own personal-parts-tray!

One safety-lever, 4 stock screws and maybe some wood grips and I'm gonna have me a great gun!

 

[TSQUARED]

For $330 it's a steal even with the cost of the additional parts. I doubt you can wear out a 645. The right hand safety lever is held in place by a stainless Phillips head screw which comes loose - I fixed mine by applying some blue Loctite.

 

[sniper47]

I have replaced all of my phillips head screws with button head screws. It looks way better and you can get them at any Ace Hardware.

 

[Chefjon]

Update #2

CALREB (Can't thank you enough!) is sending me the safety lever and screw I need, so in the next few weeks I'll have a whole 645!

I picked up some scotchbrite pads (green ones) and had some questions about polishing.

Do I need to use any oil/media? I understand going with a grain (I cut meat as part of my job)...is it better to go one-way or back and forth?

Also, is there a reference that shows how to take her completely apart? Just wondering.

Thanks again everyone, I've learned so much!

 

[sniper47]

Update #2

CALREB (Can't thank you enough!) is sending me the safety lever and screw I need, so in the next few weeks I'll have a whole 645!

I picked up some scotchbrite pads (green ones) and had some questions about polishing.

Do I need to use any oil/media? I understand going with a grain (I cut meat as part of my job)...is it better to go one-way or back and forth?

Also, is there a reference that shows how to take her completely apart? Just wondering.

Thanks again everyone, I've learned so much!

When I touch up my stainless steel 3rd gens, I seperate the slide from the frame and remove the safety lever. You will need to turn the slide upside down and push the firing pin in while simultaneously pushing down one of the plungers. I can't recall which one, but once you push the plunger down, it holds the firing pin back allowing you to turn the safety lever enough to remove it. (you will see the firing pin sticking out of the breech face) It takes a few times to get that safety off as you have to turn it and pull it out at the same time. Be aware of a small plunger/spring that may or may not pop out once the safety is completely seperated from the slide. It is a simple process once you have done it a couple of times. With the safety lever out of the way, you can smooth out all of the slide. I do not use any media except for the green pads and I have also had luck with wet/dry sandpaper in the grit range of 400, 600 and 1500. Once I am satisfied with the job, then I use Flitz metal polish to finish it up. I then put limited amounts of gun grease on certain spots on the frame rails and barrel lugs and reassemble to enjoy later!

 

[lignano]

Hi, I've read all this post, yesterday I bought my 645. Here in Italy there are hard to find, I paied 400€ with boxes some optional parts( wood grips and Novak rear sight). I notice that my 645 has the hole on the right side of the slide, right safety lever is missing.
Today they are extremely hard to find, so I'm asking you what to do.

 

[jstanfield103]

Use a 4506 safety lever until you can find the original parts. But like already mentioned you have to use the 4506 full safety (both sides)

 

[TSQUARED]

I neglected to mention in my previous response that when I purchased my 645 ca 5 years ago I also expereinced the lack of slide lock. If I remeber correctly the strore received a replacemnt slide stop from S&W but it did not do the job. They finally welded up a bit onto the slide stop and fitted it to the slide. It works now.

 

[lignano]

thanks, i'll post now some photo taken yesterday

 

[cord27]

Ambi safety

I just finished running 50 rds. through my stainless 645 yesterday and was standing out front waiting to settle up with the owner and some guy, who is apparently good friends with the owner, was sitting there and I just continued my conservation about recoil, which I have no problems with mine, however, I ordered a stock spring kit, and he starts to explain to me about the physics of recoil as it applies to my 645, as he did this he moved the slide back and moved the hammer as well, showing me his point. I didn't really pay much attention. When I got home, I sprayed the gun down to sit for a while to give me a chance to eat, however I notice the safety was in the safe position and would not move. I took a non metal and tapped the safety lever back to the fire position, it remains in a stuck position. I am wondering if when this guy was showing me his theory, he moved something and a spring came out or something was misaligned somehow. I bought this gun new in 1989-90, and it has less than 500 rds through it. Thoughts?

 

[VictorLouis]

While you're buying parts, might as well include a backstrap. They are plastic, and a solid impact can crack it.