Model 29-2 Side Plate Screws

[Joey_Thee_Photog]

I have a model 29-2 circa 1976 and I decided to take off the side plate to checkout the internal components but the middle screw after very close inspection with a high power jewelers loupe was rusted and wouldn't come out. I applied Kroil penetrating fluid and heat for a week and would give it taps with my small hammer and the appropriate tip from my Brownells gun screwdriver set but still was a no go. I applied some force and busted my tip and messed up the frozen screw, lucky enough I didn't hurt the side plate. I took my gun to my friends aviation machine shop and verrrrry carefully he drilled out the head, inserted a screw extractor and it finally came out with no damage to the side plate or the gun itself. The screw all the way towards the back has a flat head but the other two have a dome head with a yoke on the end. I know that the first screw that holds the cylinder crane has a yoke on the end but why does the middle screw also has a yoke ? Actually they are the same screw. My question is, can I replace the middle screw with a regular dome screw or does it need to have that yoke on the end ? I have spare screws from another L frame gun that fit perfectly but they don't have that yoke. Thank you guys !

 

[D Brown]

Your replacement screw will be fine. the front screw that retains the yoke is the only one that needs to be fitted.

Best of luck!

 

[Joey_Thee_Photog]

Thank you for the comment, I couldn't see why it would have needed a screw with a yoke in the middle hole.

 

[Alk8944]

The sideplate screws are the same, with the front one, called the Yoke screw because it retains the yoke that the cylinder swings out on. Blued sideplate screws can be difficult to find as S&W hasn't made them for years. Contact Jack First Gun Parts in Rapid City, SD, they make them in house. The smooth tip of the yoke screw can be called a nib, spud, tit, or a few others, but not a yoke!

 

[Retired W4]

S&W has those screws squirreled away. I know because when I recently sent my 4" 29-2 back for minor, unrelated repair they replaced all the side plate screws and sent the old ones back with my gun. He took the side plate off to tweak the timing and was kind enough to replace the screws.

That's not to say the service department or customer service would give them up if you called looking for some. It's a moot point for the OP because he has a proper screw from his L frame.

 

[Com 45acp]

Since S&W is making the Classic models again, I would think they would have these screws in stock.

 

[Joey_Thee_Photog]

Thank you for correcting me on the terminology I thought they were called yoke screws. Do you know why they would have that type of screw in the middle hole of the side plate ? I can see the one that holds the cylinder crane but why the middle one ? The last screw toward the read has a flat head without the little tit on the end.

 

[Joey_Thee_Photog]

I found a guy on eBay that parts out old classic S&W's and I was able to buy all the screws, the internal parts and a very good looking 29-2 sideplate for 35.00 dollars. I got the items today and they are absolutely mint. The guys name is OEPARTS9294.

 

[Joey_Thee_Photog]

Yes indeed, They are making them again. Numrich Gun Parts has a very good selection of parts for classic S&W's.

 

[cgt4570]

I've always found it convenient to have the spare, unfitted yoke screw already on the sideplate, that can be used if the forward yoke screw needs to be replaced. It's a simple swap and fit.
I assume the factory did it so they didn't have to produce 2 different screws.