Loose Cylinder Latch, Keeps Loosening. 686

[DeadWhiteGoose]

So Ive got a brand new 686 plus pro series and today was my second trip to the range with it. As of now Ive fired 300+ rounds problem free through it, but after both trips my cylinder latch became loose. And I mean pretty loose, as in it was rattling when I was cleaning the gun afterward which caught my attention. It was loose to the point of being able to tighten it with my fingernail. Both times I got out my tiny flat head screwdriver and tightened it back down as far as it will let me, but I have a feeling its going to happen again. Is this normal behavior for a latch? Or maybe its just bad threading on the screw? I was shooting .357s through it and know thats a lot of recoil to deal with but I dont really feel like I should have to constantly tighten that screw down after every range trip. Or am I just a complainer?

 

[ab4ka]

that's never happened to me, but I'd think a tiny dab of blue Loc-tite should take care of it.

 

[Dale53]

I second the notion of using Blue Loc-Tite on the latch screw.

Use it sparingly, it only takes a drop.

Dale53

 

[DeadWhiteGoose]

ok, if two of you agree on using the same method then Ill try it, but how should I apply it? do I need to completely remove the latch, apply it to the screw's threads ? or do i just need to loosen the screw a bit, drop some on it then tighten it down and wipe the rest off? Ive never used loc tite before, thanks

 

[kingwc]

Just lay your gun down on it's side remove the screw and add a drop of loc tite to the threads, screw it back in, let it sit over night and you should be good to go.

 

[old bear]

If the gun is brand new, I would call S&W before I attempted any home fixes, as good as they may be. There is a reason the screw is backing off. I'm guessing the internal threads may be oversized and not allowing the screw to get a full bite. I understand that S&W customer service is still good.

 

[Pisgah]

I have owned S&W revolvers of all frame sizes for 50 years now. On every single one of them, the cylinder latch gets loose sooner or later -- some sooner than others. I check the tightness of the screw on a regular basis, and add a drop of blue LocTite on the really pesky ones.

 

[TSQUARED]

I have a large number of S&W revolvers going from pre WWII to current production. In all my years of shooting the fiorst time I expoerienced a problem with the thumb latch was when shooting my S&W 646 with light loads in a USPSA match - the thumb latch and retaining screrw dropped off the gun. S&W sent me replacements very promptly and advised me to only tighten the retaimning screw.

 

[andyo5]

My 1974 Model 14 had the same issue.
I used blue Loctite and the problem was gone.
Loctite now makes a product called "Guntite", which is another option.
Whatever you do, do not use red Loctite. It is for permanent assembly only.

 

[DeadWhiteGoose]

Alright, so before I tried the Loc-Tite fix, I called Smith and Wesson and they were overly helpful. They said the nut on the back of the thumb piece probably had oversized threading. They are sending me a brand new thumb piece assembly at no charge and because the piece is on back order it will take two weeks. I was very pleased with the way they handled it and will wait for the new assembly rather than using the Loc-Tite. Thanks for all the help guys, this forum is full of good info

 

[Mr. 6869]

Alright, so before I tried the Loc-Tite fix, I called Smith and Wesson and they were overly helpful. They said the nut on the back of the thumb piece probably had oversized threading. They are sending me a brand new thumb piece assembly at no charge and because the piece is on back order it will take two weeks. I was very pleased with the way they handled it and will wait for the new assembly rather than using the Loc-Tite. Thanks for all the help guys, this forum is full of good info

Unfortunately, I have the same issue with the loose nut on the thumb piece, and had to ask around at a local range, recently, to tighten it up (otherwise the cylinder gets fussy about opening). On a few occasions, it's become loose enough to be able to turn with a thumbnail.

After reading this forum, I called Smith, who asked that I simply send the month-old 686 back to the factory, and wait three to four weeks, while they fix it.

Obviously, I understand that in the real world, things break, and not to get too wound-up about it. But I'm a bit disappointed that a new product requires that much down-time for what appears to be a simple matter. I specifically asked if they would consider sending me the replacement part, and was told that it as a safety matter, and that wasn't even an option.

Here's the irony: I'd specifically purchased this gun from this vendor because I'd perceived that it was, to some extent, a statement about quality and lasting value.

I guess I'll just do what the others have done: coax a nut into staying put by using glue. Guess I'll have to adapt.

 

[Nightowl]

I have shot a lot of Smiths and do not recall having a problem with the thumbpiece nut. When I take them apart, I tighten the nut pretty tight. It has a pretty big slot, so I use a big screwdriver!

 

[bigggbbruce]

Apply a little torque to it, and they don't come loose. Like Nighowl said, fill the slot so as not to damage the nut.

 

[chief38]

I do not use Locktite on firearms. If the thumb latch nut is properly tightened it should not come loose - at least none of mine have in almost 40 years of shooting with just about every frame size and configuration I own.

I also suspect that one that is constantly coming loose has a mis-cut thread or the cylinder bolt that it screws onto is mis-threaded. There should be no need to locktite a thumb latch on. Just my opinion.........

 

[kaaskop49]

For some reason, this was not uncommon on S&W stainless revolvers of the early 70s, and sometimes later. The thumb-piece lugs of my 60, 67 and 64, all from the early 70s, would loosen, as well as the top strap screw of the 67. Nail polish did not work; my gunsmith secured all for me. My 640 in .38, decades younger, also required his services.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[stu1ritter]

Loctite Blue is way too strong for gun screws. According to Loctite, Purple 222 is used on screws up to size M14 (1/2" +,-) while Blue 243 is used on threads M14 up to M20
which is way too strong for finely threaded gun screws. This link http://tinyurl.com/pqts2tb will get you a pdf from Loctite on which threadlocker to use where and how to use it.