A funny thing happened on my way...

[Sandman4delta]

So a weird thing happened while I was out for a hike/climb on a local hill.
Along with my Camelbak and walking stick, I opted to carry a 22-4 TRR in a Bianchi 5BHL holster with a loose cover shirt.

I made my way up the ridge to the summit then used a service road off the top to return to a lower trail and back to the truck.
About five miles and 1300 feet of elevation.
No falls, trips or slips along the way. (Not always the case )

So after driving home and putting away the gear, I went to unload the revolver and, uh, What?

It should look like this right?

Yeah, so I go to unload and my cylinder release is gone bye bye.
Now I am admittedly not a S&W mechanic, but I carried a Model 19 everyday for years under a cover shirt, driving, walking, running and even sleeping with it on. I never saw one come off like this, nor my co-workers.
It seems to have just walked loose and departed.

The holster fit as pictured does not seem to apply any pressure or force to the release, so, just a weird occurrence.

But every day if you pay attention, you learn something.
As I said, I am not familiar with the detailed disassembly of every S&W part. (I will be studying deeper now)
So I did not realize that what I thought of as a screw to hold the cylinder release in place, is actually a threaded cap over a threaded stud. (I thought it broke off)

So I will have to acquire a new release and screwcap to fix it back up.
And I am thinking about working my way through the inventory and applying a drop of blue locktite to the others.
Live and Learn.

P.S. If any of you could advise, is that part pretty generic or do I need to find a specific one for frame size, model or both?

Thanks for reading,

Sandman

 

[arjay]

I had that happen with a new 629 several years ago.The holster caught the release,but the screw cap was gone. S&W sent a new one on the house

 

[Pisgah]

I got my first Model 19 from my uncle, who told me, "See this thumbpiece here? Little booger'l work loose on you, so check it every time you clean it."

That was 54 years ago, so it's nothing new.

 

[cadmike]

Good lesson. Consider investing in the proper screwdrivers and check all screws on your revolvers regularly.
Nice guns!

 

[Protocall_Design]

That, and the rear sight screw in front, and sideplate screws can all come loose with normal use. I put blue 242 loctite on them and never have to worry about it.

 

[shamuscull]

Check and tighten all my screws during every cleaning.

 

[jkallner]

Thanks for posting that. I'm sorry for your troubles, but at least know there are a lot of members who just learned something - like me! Thanks again.

 

[Fishinfool]

It happens. Lost one on my model 18-4 a couple years ago while on a woods walk.

Larry

 

[MG-70]

Very interesting, thanks for posting!

I suppose, the "grippiness" of the raw leather on the inside of the holster rubbed on the cap as you walked, and unscrewed it completely. If the retention flap covered a little more of the release, you probably would've found it at the bottom of the holster, and it could've possibly scratched the revolver on the way there. I wonder if this would've happened were the holster made of Kydex or nylon? Either way, it doesn't hurt to degrease and apply some threadlocker.

 

[Nick B]

When you go to tighten that screw just snug it tight . Don't torque on it or it will snap off real easy and then you'll need a new bolt .
I've done it .

 

[Bill In Texas]

I had a similar thing happen to me and my model 60-15 Pro Series. I lost the screw and the cylinder release while shooting. S&W was kind enough to send me a new one free of charge. Now I check all the screws andon all my revolvers when I'm cleaning them after shooting.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Yes it's a normal occurrence which most of us learn the hard way. Guns getting extensive use need to be tightened regularly. It's also my observation that not all my shooter Smiths are prone to loosening screws. A small amount of locktite is a good fix.

 

[charlie sherrill]

The magnums seem to do this more often. Check often and a little Locktite doesn't hurt.

 

[brucev]

Experience has taught me a few things. With revolvers, I routinely check the screw holding the cylinder release ... and the front screw on the side plate. Have had both fall out one time or another. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Stevens]

Just checked mine, they are OK. thanks for the heads up! I will keep an eye on them.
Steve W

 

[Sandman4delta]

BTW, after a bit of thought, it seems logical to use the threaded cap instead of a machine screw.
If you lose the cap and release you can still open the cylinder.

 

[WB5MHA]

Model 36 did that long ago. Actually found the cap but it happened again. Locktite blue solved the problem.

 

[scooter123]

So I will have to acquire a new release and screwcap to fix it back up.
And I am thinking about working my way through the inventory and applying a drop of blue locktite to the others.
Live and Learn.

Sandman

Just a Hot Tip here. Gunsmiths LOATHE locktite and if they find in a customers gun in for repair that repair can double or triple in price.

PS: there was a time when shooters would spend a bit of time checking for loose fasteners after cleaning a firearm.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

^^^
That would explain why so many older guns have buggered up screws, since so few people have the proper screwdrivers.

I use a drop of Loctite 222 (purple, hard to find) for most screws. It dries to something gummy instead of rock hard; low strength and can be loosened or tightened a bit and still has some holding effect.

 

[rockquarry]

They all work loose, some much sooner than others. I use Loctite and it works but still check the screw at every cleaning.