Model 59; missing slide stop button

[Al_Jennings]

I have a Model 59, vintage 1976. On the last cleaning I found the slide stop button missing (S&W nomenclature), see pictures below. Don't know what happened to it and can't find it. Numrich's has a part available labeled "slide stop pin", part key 71. Is that the same part? Kinda hard to see on their schematic. It looks like this part is riveted into place. I don't have any riveting tools. Is that a job for a qualified gunsmith? How difficult? If Numrich part isn't right, where can I find a replacement? Jack First maybe? Thanks for any help. Al

 

[Al_Jennings]

Also, would it be safe to fire this gun without the slide stop button? Al

 

[squidsix]

You can retrofit the side plate from later pistols, like 5906.
It is very difficult to replace the piece you are missing.
The gun can be fired, but the slide stop may engage unintentionally from time to time.

 

[squidsix]

Looks like this:

It should fit under the 59 grip panel. To prevent it clocking in place, a longer sear pin snaps into the open portion.

 

[armorer951]

The slide stop button is available from Numrich. The button is peened (swaged) in place, and is notorious for coming loose. OEM part number is 06081/06352.

Slide Stop Button, Blued | Gun Parts Corp.

 

[Al_Jennings]

Thank you Armorer951. Numrich part/button ordered. I'll post how the peening process goes...any suggestions or warnings?

 

[jsbethel]

In a past thread, a former S&W employee indicated that a special tool was used to install the slide stop button.

 

[paulj84003]

You must be very careful staking the slide stop button in place. there is not very much material surrounding the slide stop button hole and the frame may be cracked if you are not careful. There is a special tool to stake the SSB as well as a plate that the frame sits on when staking. for the slide stop to work properly against the SSB the SSB should be tipped very slightly forward at the top approx 1 -2 degrees. if you have one of the frames with a round hole for the SSB i would use locktite instead of swagging. However you are more likely to have a square hole in which case swagging is necessary. I haven't seen my swagging tool for several years if I can find it I will send a photo. Paulj

 

[stansdds]

Honestly, using the 3rd gen side plate is, by far, the easier fix. I don't see installing a new slide stop button as an easy DIY project. Remember, these pistols have been out of production for several decades, there are no replacement receivers should you damage yours.