Bent lanyard pin on 340PD when removed grips

[radiator]

I removed the grips from my new 340PD in preparation for installing a Crimson Trace LG-405 laser.

Even though I used the special tool to release the grips from the stock pins (if that is the proper term), it took a bit of effort to remove the original grips.

When the deed was finally done, I noticed that my formerly-straight-and-pristine lanyard pin was now L-shaped. I now understand that they are made of light aluminum and apparently are designed to 'float', held in place only by the grips.

Straightening it is probably out of the question, since undoubtedly it will retain an unsightly deformation mark. Even though I have no plans to attach a lanyard to the gun, I would still like to have the pin in place.

So, can someone with more experience than me tell me the part number for the lanyard pin, and how I can get a replacement from S&W or from somewhere else?

I promise to treat it more kindly in the future (honestly!)...

 

[radiator]

I removed the grips from my new 340PD in preparation for installing a Crimson Trace LG-405 laser.

Even though I used the special tool to release the grips from the stock pins (if that is the proper term), it took a bit of effort to remove the original grips.

When the deed was finally done, I noticed that my formerly-straight-and-pristine lanyard pin was now L-shaped. I now understand that they are made of light aluminum and apparently are designed to 'float', held in place only by the grips.

Straightening it is probably out of the question, since undoubtedly it will retain an unsightly deformation mark. Even though I have no plans to attach a lanyard to the gun, I would still like to have the pin in place.

So, can someone with more experience than me tell me the part number for the lanyard pin, and how I can get a replacement from S&W or from somewhere else?

I promise to treat it more kindly in the future (honestly!)...

 

[Alk8944]

What, pray, are you calling a "lanyard pin"? are you referring to the stock pin at the base of the grip frame which protrudes on both sides of the frame? This shouldn't be loose in the frame, although it certainly could be. For some reason S&W uses aluminum pins in aluminum frames and steel in steel, probably an electrolytic corrosion issue.

I don't want to sound like a smart-ass, but one of my aggravations in life is your question, in essence, is asked several times every week. For some reason no one, including most of the responders who post answers, seems to understand where most parts for any product, except automotive, come from, the manufacturer. You don't need a part number, just call S&W customer service and ask them for one. All you need to know is the model number and possibly the serial number. The phone number for S&W is 800-331-0852.

Once you get the replacement and get the original pin out be very careful installing the new one. Since the pin probably will be aluminum, and if it needs to be driven in, use either a nylon face hammer or a nylon punch. If you use a steel hammer or punch the end of the pin you strike will quickly, like the first strike, rivet the end of the pin. If they send you a stainless roll pin there isn't so much chance of damage, and there aren't any issues with corrosion either, just use it and don't worry.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

You can get the factory Lanyard Pin from S&W.
I have an extra around here somewere in my stash of stuff that I bought from S&W when I first got my 342Ti Pre Lock just to have one in case mine became lost or bent..
Gary/Hk

 

[Spotteddog]

Radiator,
Your welcome to my spare lanyard pin. Oops?
Make that my spare two lanyard pins, out of a pair of 342PD's? Never could find a use for them, but if you'd feel better about having one?

 

[radiator]

The pin that I am talking about is not one that protrudes and keeps the grips in place. Rather, it spans the small notch in the exterior of the base of the frame, and is not staked but instead floats between the sides of that notch without protruding, and is held in place by the pressure of the grips themselves.

While I can understand a peeve about repeatedly-asked-and-answered questions, I beg to differ about this one. A question like mine is intended to evoke responses along the lines of, "yes, that is a known problem that happens all the time and you'd be well advised to replace the aluminum one with a steel part that comes from a different model revolver" or "there's an aftermarket part available from Midway that's better than the original S&W part and the proper term for it is xxxxx with part number yyyyy" and so on. It's the hoped-for benefit of those sorts of answers (from those who may have traveled down that exact same path before) that leads people to post such questions, and so a one-size-fits-all answer is not always the "right" answer...

 

[radiator]

Spotteddog, thanks for the offer - does that mean that you intentionally removed the pins from your 342PDs? Would that be because the pins are just problems waiting to happen (that is, bending or falling out again and again), or because for most people there is no good use for the part, or does it possibly become snagged on pocket threads, or something else?

 

[Spotteddog]

Yup Radiator,
In my search for a "perfect" set of carry grips, I got sick of chasing that lanyard pin (which falls out as soon as the grip panels are removed, BTW) across the table every time. So, OFF they came from both mine and my Wife's 342PD's. I can think of very few applications for it on a C/C gun. Now in the woods answering natures call, it might be comforting to have slung around your neck. But in urban area's only the homeless bums, drunks and druggy's are allowed to pinch a loaf on a sidewalk, without consequences. So once again, I don't need the pin.

 

[radiator]

Spotteddog - thanks for the reality check - not only do I see your point, but I also agree with it! The 340PD is intended to be my carry gun, and it will be used exclusively for that purpose. It's not going to be kept in pristine, collectible condition, rather, it is going to get a daily workout, in and out of the holster. The pin doesn't add anything to that, so I'll keep it the way that it is, sans lanyard pin...