miker15677
Member
I went with the split washer as soon as I purchased. Have had no problems and loosens up with the wrench without a lot of pressure.
Apparent design flaw on the SW22 Victory.
- Thread starter NH Old School
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Nail polish on top threads after cleaning with metho and blowing out with compressed air. Tighten firmly. Place gun upside down and dribble nail polish remover on to screw and let sit a few minutes before undoing.
I have a VICTORY model...calibre 38 S&W. Circa 1940's some time. My Mom carried it in the Philippines at the out set of WWII. It is stamped with about 15 or so armorer's stamps. I think they were 'reworked' in Australia before being issued to the Nurses of the 13th Air Wing. She, like my Dad, was on Luzon when Pearl was bombed, walked the Bataan Peninsula and escaped to Corrigedor. My Dad was not so fortunate.
I have fired this pistol and she is fit as a fiddle. No loose or cranky screws. I also do no believe they were designed to be removed and/or dissembled after each firing. I believe...barrel and cylinder cleaning were the norm. And, coming out of 30 years in refinery maintenance, I have never seen any 'normal' screw and socket fitting to be opened and closed on each maintenance cycle. Some are indeed, but these, in my experience, have been 'socket' or hex screws with MACHINE FINE threads. And, I do not see any of these in my version of the VICTORY pistols.
A design 'flaw' is indeed a serious issue. A screw fitting that comes loose upon use, again, in my opinion, is probably a misuse or abuse of a previous user. If a VICTORY model showed a problem, in the 40's...my guess is that some military armorer would have caught that as these VICTORY items were issued to combat troops, (my Mom) and would have been addressed.
Nose Dive
Cheap, Fast, Good, Kindly pick two.
I have fired this pistol and she is fit as a fiddle. No loose or cranky screws. I also do no believe they were designed to be removed and/or dissembled after each firing. I believe...barrel and cylinder cleaning were the norm. And, coming out of 30 years in refinery maintenance, I have never seen any 'normal' screw and socket fitting to be opened and closed on each maintenance cycle. Some are indeed, but these, in my experience, have been 'socket' or hex screws with MACHINE FINE threads. And, I do not see any of these in my version of the VICTORY pistols.
A design 'flaw' is indeed a serious issue. A screw fitting that comes loose upon use, again, in my opinion, is probably a misuse or abuse of a previous user. If a VICTORY model showed a problem, in the 40's...my guess is that some military armorer would have caught that as these VICTORY items were issued to combat troops, (my Mom) and would have been addressed.
Nose Dive
Cheap, Fast, Good, Kindly pick two.
OH58D
Member
I just bought a Victory 22 today, got it home and tried the takedown. No way that takedown screw would turn. Squirted some Kano Kroil around the screw and waited. Ten minutes later used the supplied hex wrench and gave it some muscle and the screw turned after a little pop. I did notice some dark residue on the screw so maybe SW is applying some loctite at the factory? Will go the O ring route to make sure the screw doesn't work out during shooting.
JM4151
Member
22 Victor
I have had mine since the spring of 2016, with no problems. Ran in excess of 1,000 rounds of 22 ammo thru it inc Federal, Remington, Browning and CCI. Screw has not come loose. I do not clean it every time that I use it.
I have had mine since the spring of 2016, with no problems. Ran in excess of 1,000 rounds of 22 ammo thru it inc Federal, Remington, Browning and CCI. Screw has not come loose. I do not clean it every time that I use it.
If you can replace your goopy LocTite products with the dries-in-ambient-enviroment VibraTite products you might find your thread locking compounds headaches a thing of the past.
Many fasteners included with packaged assemblies now-a-days have this dried-on thread locker on the loose fasteners in the package.
I prefer it over the original stuff.
Amazon.com: Vibra-TITE Bench Pack 5: 5 Piece Assortment in Clear Plastic Container: Industrial & Scientific
Many fasteners included with packaged assemblies now-a-days have this dried-on thread locker on the loose fasteners in the package.
I prefer it over the original stuff.
Amazon.com: Vibra-TITE Bench Pack 5: 5 Piece Assortment in Clear Plastic Container: Industrial & Scientific
Barrell screw backing out.
My self I took a lock washer. Took a screwdriver and opened it up wide enough the screw would fit threw, yet still small enough to fit in the hole. I have probably shot close to 1,000 rds thru it and has never came loose again. I clean my gun after every shooting and use no loctite except blue on the inner screw to bolt carrier. That is what worked for me!
My self I took a lock washer. Took a screwdriver and opened it up wide enough the screw would fit threw, yet still small enough to fit in the hole. I have probably shot close to 1,000 rds thru it and has never came loose again. I clean my gun after every shooting and use no loctite except blue on the inner screw to bolt carrier. That is what worked for me!
robert3409
Member
I've used Vibra-Tite VC3 since I bought my SW22 last summer. I've never had the take down screw come loose through hundreds of rounds. Non issue to me. I also used some VC3 on the optics rail screw.
len917
Member
Got my Victory about a month ago. Cleaned it before use, and twice since then. No problem with screw. Unscrewed first time OK (not very tight) and did not loosen while shooting. Am I doing something wrong or am I lucky?
Had to send my Victory back to S&W.
There is no way I could break the cap screw free and I didn't want to round out the allen wrench slot.
Anybody have any info on average turn-around times for S&W to return an firearm?
There is no way I could break the cap screw free and I didn't want to round out the allen wrench slot.
Anybody have any info on average turn-around times for S&W to return an firearm?
I just bought the 22 Victory and I am seriously enjoying this pistol for target shooting. I have run into the issue with the take down screw and I ended up having to apply serious torque to it so that it didn't work loose. I am currently testing it by running rounds though it but not taking it down to clean it. I am simply blowing it out with gun scrubber and using a bore snake on the barrel.
I came looking to see if a spec existed for it and the set screw for the bull barrel since after the first time it also worked loose. Though I think that was my fault since my initial cleaning of every weapon I get is a full D.C.O.A. Only other issue I had was FTL's but that also was not the weapon but the ammo I think since I now use jacketed rounds and they feed no issue. Seems the feed ramp tends to munch a pure lead round.
Anyway I will try the o-ring, split washer, loctite ideas... perhaps a little Teflon thread dope.
I came looking to see if a spec existed for it and the set screw for the bull barrel since after the first time it also worked loose. Though I think that was my fault since my initial cleaning of every weapon I get is a full D.C.O.A. Only other issue I had was FTL's but that also was not the weapon but the ammo I think since I now use jacketed rounds and they feed no issue. Seems the feed ramp tends to munch a pure lead round.
Anyway I will try the o-ring, split washer, loctite ideas... perhaps a little Teflon thread dope.
len917
Member
Interesting regarding the FTL. I'm using CCI lead RN and that it what is happening-bent lead.
When I purchased the gun, as my previous post, I was able to remove the screw and it had red locktite on it from the factory. Have not have it loosen up yet. Use a little dab of red Loctite and forget the washers, "O" rings etc.
Enjoy it
Echo47
Member
Apparent design flaw on SW22 Victory
I picked up my new SW22 Victory at Gander Mountain last week, stripped it down, cleaned, oiled, and reassembled it with no issues. The take-down screw was snug but a longer (3") Allen key showed it who was the boss.
While scanning after-market accessories for the SW22 Victory pistol on eBay (looking primarily for a nicely-figured pair of wood grips), I noticed dealers offering: 1) #61 O-rings, and 2) replacement take-down screws (at the remarkably low price of 2 for $10 but free shipping).
Apparently this has been an issue for some time.
If one removes the top strap over the slide on a Browning Buckmark, under each of the two hold-down screws will be found a 'cup-shaped' lock washer (apparently to fit into the screw pocket), and I have never found either of those screws to loosen on their own on the three Buckmarks in my possession.
The Vibra-Tite VC-3 product sounds like an interesting product to use in combination with a #61 O-ring in my Victory pistol. Instead of a local hardware store, try a plumbers' supply for the O-rings. They're usually much less expensive there.
Echo47
I picked up my new SW22 Victory at Gander Mountain last week, stripped it down, cleaned, oiled, and reassembled it with no issues. The take-down screw was snug but a longer (3") Allen key showed it who was the boss.
While scanning after-market accessories for the SW22 Victory pistol on eBay (looking primarily for a nicely-figured pair of wood grips), I noticed dealers offering: 1) #61 O-rings, and 2) replacement take-down screws (at the remarkably low price of 2 for $10 but free shipping).
Apparently this has been an issue for some time.
If one removes the top strap over the slide on a Browning Buckmark, under each of the two hold-down screws will be found a 'cup-shaped' lock washer (apparently to fit into the screw pocket), and I have never found either of those screws to loosen on their own on the three Buckmarks in my possession.
The Vibra-Tite VC-3 product sounds like an interesting product to use in combination with a #61 O-ring in my Victory pistol. Instead of a local hardware store, try a plumbers' supply for the O-rings. They're usually much less expensive there.
Echo47
HOUSTON RICK
Member
This has been mentioned numerous times. When the problem comes up most seem to use Loctite when required and move on. I recommend the S&W Model 22S.
Anyone seeing this??
So I've had my Victory for a little over a year. I love it. I've not had the issues with the barrel retaining screw backing out.
However, yesterday while at the range, I proceeded to fire 1 round and the entire top of the gun flew off.
Upon inspection, I found that the retaining screw had snapped clean in half. Now, I come from a background of mechanical maintenance. I know how to not over-tighten screws, so I'm very lost on this. I called S&W, and of course they will take care of it, but currently they have about a 7 week turnaround due to shutdowns and backlogs.
So I'm going to have a gunsmith get this corrected, and see if we can't replace the screw with one made out of a better metal.. Cobalt perhaps....
So I've had my Victory for a little over a year. I love it. I've not had the issues with the barrel retaining screw backing out.
However, yesterday while at the range, I proceeded to fire 1 round and the entire top of the gun flew off.
Upon inspection, I found that the retaining screw had snapped clean in half. Now, I come from a background of mechanical maintenance. I know how to not over-tighten screws, so I'm very lost on this. I called S&W, and of course they will take care of it, but currently they have about a 7 week turnaround due to shutdowns and backlogs.
So I'm going to have a gunsmith get this corrected, and see if we can't replace the screw with one made out of a better metal.. Cobalt perhaps....
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
I agree that both the retaining screws AND the hex wrench enclosed were of poor quality. S&W would have saved themselves lots of warranty work and money with better quality.
Not that they would ever admit that.
Not that they would ever admit that.
SailDesign
Member
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Reading through this thread thoroughly, I realise why I bought the Ruger Mk IV. The SW22 is definitely better value for the money, but I look at screws that need to be taken out every time you clean and shudder at the wear and torque issues.
Yes, I had one screw back out on the Ruger (nothing is perfect, after all) but some blue LocTite and it has shot a few thousand rounds with no issues.
I hope S&W Find a way to ensure the screw doesn't back out that doesn't include Superman-type tightening every time.
Yes, I had one screw back out on the Ruger (nothing is perfect, after all) but some blue LocTite and it has shot a few thousand rounds with no issues.
I hope S&W Find a way to ensure the screw doesn't back out that doesn't include Superman-type tightening every time.
2ffat
Member
SailDesign, Have you sent your Mark IV back, yet? It's been recalled.
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