Factory TSW models with Rail- how did S&W plug them?

[spistols]

There must have been cases where TSW owners sent back their guns to have the rail removed for one reason or another. Anyone have an idea on how S&W plugged the rivet holes at the factory? Did they braze them up, put rivets back in, or use rubber/plastic plugs to fill the holes?

 

[gboling]

What information do you have that S&W ever did that?

 

[spistols]

I have seen police guns like this.

 

[BMCM]

Black anodized soft aluminum rivets.
Countersunk heads on the inside, peened over on the outside.

Cheers
Bill

 

[Skybull]

Black anodized soft aluminum rivets.
Countersunk heads on the inside, peened over on the outside.

Yes, Bill is correct. I have a 3913TSW that was sent back to the factory and converted to a 3953 TSW. They also removed the rail at this time and used the black replacement rivets described by Bill to fill the holes.

 

[Laddy Smith]

Rail holes

This has been mentioned before but...

Just leave them as holes. Tell anyone that asks "this is the pistol the Navy SEALS use & the the holes are water drain holes."

Lad

 

[spistols]

Any one have pictures of plugs in their TSW with the rail removed?

 

[BMCM]

Probably not what you're looking for but...
I used an electric hole eraser on mine

Here's some rivets that will work
stainless...McMaster-Carr

Aluminum... McMaster-Carr

For permanent and best looking result go with the stainless and have someone tig weld them in place both inside & outside. File flush on the outside and after blasting the job is virtually invisible.

I didn't want to buy a box of 100 so I just made a couple for my project gun.

Non-permanent or if the gun is an aluminum frame variant, go with the aluminum rivets and just peen 'em over.

Cheers
Bill