Need replacement screw to hold yoke in place on Model 14

[mikemyers]

I purchased a S&W Model 14 a few months back from Gunbroker, and finally got around to cleaning it so I can start shooting it. Came apart fine, definitely needed a cleaning, and started to go back together.

Now I've got one concern - the small screw that holds the yoke in place went in fine, and I went to "snug it up", but it "felt funny". I'm used to the way this feels on my other S&W revolvers. So I just stopped, and left it as-is.

Is this a "standard part" that I can buy a new one, and replace it, or is it custom fitted to the gun? I don't want to risk having it break, at which point I've got a much bigger issue to deal with.

Maybe it's fine, and it's just my imagination, but if I can buy a new part, better to be safe than sorry. I can take it out and photograph it, if that would be helpful.

(What felt strange, is when I put in this screw in my other guns, it gets tighter and tighter, until I stop. This screw felt perfect as it was starting to tighten, but then it suddenly felt slightly "easier", and I instantly stopped. Everything may be normal - maybe the parts just shifted slightly, but if I can replace it, I'd like to do so.)

I can see the "yoke", part #25 on this page, but it's not clear where the screw is that holds the yoke in place:
http://www.vivasandson.com/m14.pdf

 

[ACORN]

I’d tread lightly if I were you. You might be on the verge of pulling the threads on either the frame or the screw. I believe those screws are fit to each gun. The front screw is generally longer. Could you have mixed them up? Not trying to insult you but it happens.

 

[mikemyers]

Nope - it is the only screw I took out. All I. wanted to do was clean the gun.

It is the screw, that once it is removed, allows the yoke to come out.

Thanks for the warning. Not sure what to do now, but if I get a new screw, I won't tighten it very much - not that I tightened this one all that much.

 

[snw19_357]

The side plate screw and the yoke screw are the same screw but, the yoke screw is fit.
Try swapping it with the screw behind it (not the flat headed one).
It's easy to swap the two and if the unfit screw is placed in the yoke screw position, it will cause the yoke to bind when tightened down.

 

[cgt4570]

The side plate screw and the yoke screw are the same screw but, the yoke screw is fit.
Try swapping it with the screw behind it (not the flat headed one).
It's easy to swap the two and if the unfit screw is placed in the yoke screw position, it will cause the yoke to bind when tightened down.

Exactly! Odds are that a previous owner had the sideplate off and swapped the screws on re-assembling.
If you tighten an unfitted screw into the yoke groove on that style, you'll end up 'buggering' the groove. It takes patience and fitting to made a virgin yoke screw work.

 

[Sawfish]

You can find some of the replacement screws at Brownells or Midway.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

If it turns out that the frame threads are stripped, all is not lost. S&W will fix it for you, by tapping the frame for the new larger Colt-style yoke screw. It will require a new yoke, but it IS a good fix.

 

[Imissedagain]

Call Smith.
As stated the yoke screw is fitted at Smith or by a Smith.
I have them on backorder from Smith but they are sending me yoke screw assemblies for the 63-3 and X frames.
Hollow screw, spring and plunger as described by the parts department.
Plate screws can have round or flat heads.
Kuhnhausen does not show the yoke screw assembly in his book on the pages I’ve read.

Pic of 63-3 yoke/button and hollow screw.... larger diameter than the plate screws.
Very super super rare 45-90 caliber notch/angle yoke..... might get it gold plated.... then on to GB.

 

[75Vette]

Also, if it is just the screw, call S&W customer service. You might get lucky and they'll send you one for free. (They did for me)

 

[mikemyers]

Thanks, guys. I took it apart again, spread out the parts, and took some high-res close-up photos. Nothing obviously wrong, and both screws looked the same.

I put the yoke in place, but did NOT close it. I put in the two screws and gradually tightened them equally, back and forth. This time everything felt "normal". I closed the yoke, and turned each one just a tiny amount - both felt good. The gun seems fine.

I'm not sure what's done when these screws are "fitted", but either swapping them made things better, or tightening them most of the way before closing the yoke - which makes sense to me now.

I think everything is good; looking forward to enjoying shooting it.

 

[mikemyers]

Wow, lots of responses while I was working on the gun taking photos, and re-assembling. Sure, I'll call S&W and ask for a new screw, but right now I'm not sure there's anything wrong with the screw. Maybe the "funny" feeling I noticed is because I tightened the screw after closing the yoke? Doing it in reverse order may have allowed the yoke to "find" where it wants to be.

 

[steelslaver]

The tip of the screw goes in the groove of yoke. I think they are something like 32 to the inch threads. One turn is about .03. as little as .003 can make a difference. One screw is probably just a bit shorter.

 

[mikemyers]

Not sure if it will help, but here's a photo I took. I also have a blurry photo of the two screws, side by side...

 

[mikemyers]

Let me try this again.....

 

[Imissedagain]

Order more than one screw.... when they drop they disappear.
Possibly a 38/inch thread but not 32.
Fitting a yoke screw like that might be the first thing I would try to make right when learning smithing skills.
Had to smith an inexpensive jewelers drill press in a similar manner..... quill screw adjustments that the manufacturer said are doable but frustrating.
I replied .....anything that can be accomplished in air conditioning as opposed to on a boat in August... is fun.

Still waiting for my yoke screw assembly to arrive and then I’ll machine an alignment tool for our J yoke.

Looking forward to getting this 22LR J up an running ASAP.

Enjoy yours!

 

[steelslaver]

actually went and looked they are 5-44 threads. But, my point was that the difference in length from a screw that was right and one that was a to long would be hard to eye ball. A full turn of a 44 pitch would only be .02727.