Odd problem with my 586

Critch

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The yoke screw on my 586 (no dash) works loose sometimes, if I tighten it too much the yoke is sluggish opening, lots of resistance. If I don't tighten it enough, the screw keeps wanting to back out. Can I use some LocTite on it? Maybe just a dab or should I order a new yoke screw?
 
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If your yoke screw doesn't have a spring loaded plunger in it, one of two things has happened. The yoke screw was a fitted part, so either:

1. You mixed up the screws when you, or a previous owner, had the side plate off. Easy fix, try installing the middle side plate screw in the yoke hole and see if things are different. DON'T use a thread locker.

2. Someone at the factory didn't properly fit the yoke screw. There's a couple of retired armorers here who can provide further instructions on fitting if that's the problem.

Added edit: Come to think of it, there is a third possibility: a previous person lost the correct screw and bought & installed a new one not knowing it's a fitted part. Also, somewhere there's a thread on how to fit yoke screw.
 
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Second post nailed it.

Your no dash would have the old fitted screw. The newer spring loaded screw wouldn't even fit in the gun, as the treads aren't the same.

On my 686 no dash, the yoke screw and the other round headed screw are damn close to the same. One might have gotten those reversed. If not, you can take a couple licks off the yoke screw with a hone and be back in shooting trim.
 
In these guns, it's the yoke that is fitted to the screw. Up until the adoption of the spring loaded yoke screw, the screws themselves were turned on machines that had been in constant use since before WW2. The the yoke screw and the middle screw are the same but the tolerances are loose and some are thicker than others, hence, the yoke needs to be fitted. The first thing to do is switch the two screws. That might fix it. If it doesn't and you have other side plate screws, try them. You might get lucky. If that doesn't work, it's likely the yoke needs to be refitted which may require that it be peened back into shape and refiled. This is an armorer fix if you can find one for revolvers. A good gunsmith should be able to do it also. Good luck!
 
You do occasionally get an example where the issue is length of the screw. Rub marks on the "stem of the mushroom" on the yoke stud and a matching mark on the end of the screw are your clues. Gentle shortening of the screw will cure that.
 
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