How to Remove the Side Plate

[DARE]

Have a .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model from 1926. Want to remove the side plate. I have taken the screws out. What's next?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Remove the grips. Holding the gun horizontally, sideplate up, tap on the frame with a piece of plastic or wood, until the sideplate is completely free of the frame, rattling as it bounces up and down on the frame. Do NOT, under any circumstances, pry the sideplate from the frame.

Conduct further disassembly inside a plastic bag. IIRC, the flying spring you have to worry about most is the one behind the bolt (cylinder lock) actuated by the thumb piece.

See Kuhnhausen for further details.

 

[scooter123]

DO NOT PRY ON IT, EVER

What you do is take a plastic or wood handled screw driver by the shaft and start tapping the handle on the steel grip frame. After a bit of time you will see that sideplate magically lift out of the cavity. Note, it's not really magic, it's the vibration that does all the work. So lots of light taps is best, NOT giant smacks.

 

[DARE]

I did it! My 1st one. Thanks for the help. Came right off.

Next up I want to do a Model of 1899. Any difference?

 

[Borderboss]

I did it! My 1st one. Thanks for the help. Came right off.

Next up I want to do a Model of 1899. Any difference?

None at all.

 

[DARE]

OK, think I've got it. Thanks for the help.

Went ahead and did this old thing while I was at it.

 

[WR Moore]

Brownell's carries a really neat & handy hammer. 3/4 inch head, brass on one end, nylon on the other. A bit light for sight installation, but good for any number of other things. They also stock pin punches with replaceable tips and a regular punch with nylon or brass ends.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Factory-approved method for disassembly:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrgE5qW5NfA[/ame]

 

[shawn mccarver]

Since I do not have the ability to make my own screwdriver, this is the one I use:

Forster #1 Hollow Ground Screwdriver 1/8" Blade Width, .023" Blade Thickness

I got mine from Midway USA.

 

[WR Moore]

Come to think of it, Brownell's also peddles a screwdriver with interchangeable bits especially for the S&W revolver. You may need to add a bit for sideplate screws.

 

[H Richard]

There are differences with the 1899. The rebound spring must be trapped. Before proceeding look for a specific video on youtube.

 

[Jaco1234]

Brownells has a you tube video on side plate removal.

Gun Tech Steve Ostrem demonstrates the proper way to remove a side plate from a Smith and Wesson revolver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhUHVcVb_V0&ab_channel=Brownells,Inc.

 

[Ray]

There´s also this video from the same guy.Enjoy,Regards Ray

https://youtu.be/4ujyLn3lHBc

 

[bedwards]

Thanks for the videos, I have never had the guts to open mine up!
Also I had a model 29 that the mainspring screw would walk out on. I never new it needed to be tightened all the way.