S&W 2.0 10mm Red dot flew off and hit me in the head

[SoCalDep]

Any recommendations for a decent quality torque wrench/screwdriver or whatever they are called for sights/scopes and other smithing chores?
I have the big set of Brownells screwdrivers and lotsa sockets.

Thx
RT

Decades ago I broke my Campy Super Record rear derailleur, my C Record front derailleur by over torquing and my right shoulder in a Peloton pileup.
Sad but true.

I use a Vortex torque driver which is around $90-$100 off Amazon or the Vortex LE program. It is 8 in/lbs to (I think) 50 in/lbs with individual in/lb adjustment. Since we mount multiple optics to multiple plate and pistol systems it works really well.

A lot of people swear by "Fix-It Sticks", and I've heard really good things about them. I've never used them myself but they are compact which is cool. They are mostly a single torque (ie: 10 in/lb) but they have a couple that have some variability. Not like the Vortex though so not as good if mounting lots of different combos. If you have one or a limited number of different optics they may work well.

The Wheeler FAT Wrench isn't a "bad" option either, especially for the more casual user. I have two of them and they work well. The down side is that the graduations on the torque are in 5 in/lb increments and the marker is thick compared to them so it's hard to get the exact torque you want. If your application allows "close" to be good enough then it is fine. I think this "close is good enough" applies to most pistol optic installations, but I personally like to be more exact… thus the more expensive Vortex.

There are lots of other options from numerous manufacturers and they can get very precise and expensive. There's nothing wrong with going that route, but for my limited application I don't see the juice as worth the squeeze.

I was tempted by the Wherler digital FAT wrench, but have no experience with it. I spoke to a couple people who do and they did not have great things to say so I've stayed away but lack first hand knowledge.

 

[Imissedagain]

^^^^
Thank you.
A Vortex is on the way.

 

[Ironworker]

OP... If I were you I wouldn't "ignore any other advice", and I'd probably ignore the above referenced post. I hate to be mean, but one of the benefits of the internet and forums is the ability to ask questions and discuss. One of the drawbacks is that anyone, including those who lack knowledge and may be plain wrong and dangerous can respond and it's sometimes hard to tell who is what.

Over-torquing is unlikely (but possibly) the problem. There are many more likely causes. As for actual torque specs, general torque specs vary for material (allow steel vs. the various carbon and stainless steels) and the general published torque specs are often less than those recommended by optic, component, or firearm manufacturers, so I would warn against exceeding those recommendations unless you really know what you are doing. 18 inch pounds exceeds both the recommendations of S&W as well as most optics (with the notable exceptions of the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro (25in/lbs), Aimpoint ACRO (26 in/lbs) and Holosun 509T (20 in/lbs). Recommending to tighten to 24 in/lbs without knowing what optic and mount is absolutely irresponsible.

As for some back story, you can reference this thread which includes my department's method for mounting optics, which has been adopted by dozens of law enforcement agencies and other organizations. It also shows some background of why I not only disagree with jschmdt but think he's dangerous in giving blanket advice without real knowledge.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...p-2-0-core-shearing-screws.html#post141568839

As for this thread, I'd be curious exactly how the optic was mounted, what threadlocker was used if any, and whether a torque wrench was used and what torque setting. Then we can start to see where problems may have developed. We've only installed seven or eight optics on M&P 10mm guns, and one person who installed their own had it shear. The ones we've done have not had issues but none have a ton of rounds through them.

Locktite was 222 15inchlbs of torque , I used the plastic mounting plate. I ordered a CHPWS plate had my smith EZ out the sheared screws and he installed the sight.

 

[oworthsr]

OuterImpact. I've not seen anyone discuss this option. I used it to install red dots on a Glock G21 and a S&W M&P Pro 9 mm. They both seemed to run fine. But I didn't put many rounds through them.