Milton
US Veteran
I recently picked up a 4 inch Model 31-1 and would like to know what bolt and thumb piece will work in this revolver.It now has a flat latch thumb piece and I want to replace it with something my old hands can use easier.
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Model 31-1 parts Interchange
- Thread starter Milton
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Your 31-1 is a J frame pre 1966 when the flat latch was discontinued. Therefore a bolt and thumb piece from any J frame made since ‘66 will work.
Also any Pre model 1953 I frame (including pre WW II) before the flat latch was introduced on the I frame. Almost all pre 1953 .38 Spl J frames have the flat latch except about the first 100 made in 1950, early 1951.
If the newest style thumb piece made since about 1995 feels better to you, that will work with any non flat latch bolt made in the periods listed above.
Hope that helps.
Also any Pre model 1953 I frame (including pre WW II) before the flat latch was introduced on the I frame. Almost all pre 1953 .38 Spl J frames have the flat latch except about the first 100 made in 1950, early 1951.
If the newest style thumb piece made since about 1995 feels better to you, that will work with any non flat latch bolt made in the periods listed above.
Hope that helps.
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Another way to do this without having to buy a new bolt or disassemble the gun to change the bolt:
Start with a screw that fits the cap nut of the non flat latch thumb piece. Cut the head off leaving the screw a length equal to the length of your flat latch screw thread plus the cap nut length. Reduce the diameter of the cut end of the new screw equal to the length of the flat latch screw, then with a threading die that matches the screw thread of your flat latch screw, cut threads on the reduced diameter end of the new screw to match the length of your flat latch screw threads. Screw it into the bolt, install the new thumb piece and secure with the new thumb piece cap nut.
Start with a screw that fits the cap nut of the non flat latch thumb piece. Cut the head off leaving the screw a length equal to the length of your flat latch screw thread plus the cap nut length. Reduce the diameter of the cut end of the new screw equal to the length of the flat latch screw, then with a threading die that matches the screw thread of your flat latch screw, cut threads on the reduced diameter end of the new screw to match the length of your flat latch screw threads. Screw it into the bolt, install the new thumb piece and secure with the new thumb piece cap nut.
OP
Milton
US Veteran
Thank You very much !!!
