S&W Victory takedown screw problem

[DBenn]

I bought mine last spring, and like many here I had a very tight take down screw. I use a 1/8' Allen wrench in one of those multiple little hand units and tighten down snug.
I clean the gun after 500 rounds and never have an issue with it coming loose.
Put 5000 rounds through it so far this year.

 

[Targets Guy]

I bought mine last spring, and like many here I had a very tight take down screw. I use a 1/8' Allen wrench in one of those multiple little hand units and tighten down snug.
I clean the gun after 500 rounds and never have an issue with it coming loose.
Put 5000 rounds through it so far this year.

That is really good to hear.

 

[Targets Guy]

Before going to bed last night I put the #61 o-ring on. Has to be range tested yet. Hoping for the best although I have no problem just tightening the screw when it comes loose.

 

[Essess]

S&W confirmed to me the red dot on the new screw is locktite. By the way, I asked about the use of o rings and they said they do not recommend it, but didn't give any explanation as to why. I can't possibly see any way an o ring would have any negative affect.

 

[wwit]

As a happy SW22 Victory owner who did experience a few of the growing pains of this gun, this is what I have done to mine.

#1. Purchase a good quality T-handle or hex driver socket and toss the S&W supplied hex key into the trash. IF you don't already own or have access to one, buy or borrow a inch pound torque wrench. Any DIY gun owner should have this on hand.

#2. I use the #61 O-ring method and just a small "dot" of blue thread lock on the takedown screw. The barrel screw gets the thread lock too. Tighten both screws to 40 inch pounds.

Doing these, I have zero problems with the takedown screw getting loose on its own. It also comes apart easily for cleaning and lubing between range sessions.

#3. This is for anyone thinking of buying a new SW22, but IMHO it applies to any brand new firearm regardless of brand. Don't shoot the gun brand new out of the box. Take it apart and clean/lube first. My Victory was filthy inside straight from S&W.

#4. This is only if anyone experiences the same as I did. I have read a few threads where other owners have had this issue as well. Mine was having ejector issues. The stamped and welded ejector tab on the receiver was set to far out from center at S&W. It caused a couple of irritating problems. It was dragging on the bolt and at times the gun didn't like to go into battery. Particularly on the first round of a loaded magazine. Then due to the misalignment it wasn't consistently ejecting the spent cartridge as the next unfired was trying to load. At times just jamming both cartridge and shell inside the receiver. Using needle nose pliers, I bent the tab just slightly towards center so that it was more in line with the cartridge. It only took maybe a 1mm or less adjustment to make it work flawlessly for me.

Like I say, its a great gun. But did come with some growing pains that hopefully S&W will correct in the future if they already haven't. Its a very simple gun to work on even for an inexperienced gun or handtool challenged owner. Only a couple of tools really needed to work on this gun. The inch pound torque wrench being the biggest expense. I use the Wheeler Fat Wrench. The amount of torque isn't just to know that the barrel and takedown screws are tight enough, but the amount of torque on both screws needs to be consistent for consistent accuracy. No one can set accurate torque by feel alone. And just a couple inch pound difference from takedown to takedown will effect accuracy.

And just because, here's a photo of my SW22. It's a hobby. I don't shoot competitively. Just for fun and I only compete against myself.

 

[commonground]

Take-down Screw Fix

New to the forum from South Eastern Pennsylvania. Just purchased a SW22 Victory and found the take down screw loosened after shooting about 50 rounds. I had taken it apart and cleaned it before the first shoot, so I thought that I hadn't tightened it enough. So back to th range after tightening it. After 50 rounds the screw was loose again.

Sent this message to S&W: I just purchased a new Victory and am very pleased with it. I am having problems keeping the take-down screw under the barrel tight. I am afraid I will strip the head of the screw if I try to tighten it any tighter. Is there a locking mechanism available?


Their response: Dear Customer,

We would like to thank you for your e-mail and contacting Smith & Wesson / Thompson Center.

A no-charge order has been placed for you as per your request and below is the order information.

Your order number is: 2173760

Please allow at least 10 - 15 business days for delivery.

I am sending you a new takedown screw. These have a patch of nylock on the threads. This will help to keep your barrel tight.

Thank You for choosing Smith & Wesson / Thompson Center products. Have a great day.

Edit: I researched the Nylock screw inserts and this is what I found. Nylok(R) Blue Nylon Pellet - Nylok. It hasn't arrived yet so no further info at this time. I will update when I try the fix. Augie

 

[2ffat]

Hmmm. So S&W is now supplying a screw with a hole drilled out and a nylon plug filled in. I would be interested in hearing how well this works.

 

[Joe Hohmann]

I would think S&W is concerned about this, since the recent intro of the "easy take-down" Ruger MK IV. The S&W is less expensive, but still...

 

[BigDog48]

I'll start keeping records of build dates in a spreadsheet. Don't post serial #s. Most important is how hard to break loose vs. loosening vs. build date vs. no issues. So, here's the format:

#1 Build date: ####
#2 Can't loosen breakdown screw: y/n
#3 Loosens after fire (but never #1): y/n
#4 No issues with #2 or #3: y/n

what else?

#1 10/21/16
#2 Y -- Hell yes
#3 Hasn't yet
#4 See #2 above

I have been unable to get this screw out even with Bondhus T Handle 1/8 driver. Right now my pistol is resting sights down with the screw soaking in Kano Kroil. I am going to give it a try tomorrow. If I can't do it then to S&W. I am 6'2" and 235 pounds and have broken many a bolt off ocertightening. I have been taught by this experience (and my father) never to "force" anything beyond what seems reasonable.

This pistol shoots great, although I haven't gotten it apart yet to clean it completely (Just using a Bore-snake), so I don't know its potential.

Damned irritating!

 

[commonground]

New to the forum from South Eastern Pennsylvania. Just purchased a SW22 Victory and found the take down screw loosened after shooting about 50 rounds. I had taken it apart and cleaned it before the first shoot, so I thought that I hadn't tightened it enough. So back to th range after tightening it. After 50 rounds the screw was loose again.

Sent this message to S&W: I just purchased a new Victory and am very pleased with it. I am having problems keeping the take-down screw under the barrel tight. I am afraid I will strip the head of the screw if I try to tighten it any tighter. Is there a locking mechanism available?


Their response: Dear Customer,

We would like to thank you for your e-mail and contacting Smith & Wesson / Thompson Center.

A no-charge order has been placed for you as per your request and below is the order information.

Your order number is: 2173760

Please allow at least 10 - 15 business days for delivery.

I am sending you a new takedown screw. These have a patch of nylock on the threads. This will help to keep your barrel tight.

Thank You for choosing Smith & Wesson / Thompson Center products. Have a great day.

Edit: I researched the Nylock screw inserts and this is what I found. Nylok(R) Blue Nylon Pellet - Nylok. It hasn't arrived yet so no further info at this time. I will update when I try the fix. Augie

Here is a follow-up on the above post. The screw arrived and I installed it and tested it with 60 rounds of ammo and Wha La no loosening. It is snug going in and I did not try to tighten it much, no need. Augie

 

[BigDog48]

Update to post #151 in this thread...I tried everything, as did my local gunsmith. Mine is going back; got my RMA and label today. Will go to FedEx tomorrow. Will report on return and results later.

 

[Targets Guy]

Good luck.

 

[Zeke Dickinson]

screw!

Here is my experience with a new Victory:

Bought gun at local basspro at Christmas. Tried to clean before going to range and despite best efforts and some CLP, unable to remove screw. Actually almost stripped screw head with simple hand pressure. Returned to Basspro. The clerks at the gun counter were well aware of what they said was a defect in this gun-in fact they said simply placing word "screw" on the work order would be sufficient due to many returns for this known problem. They themselves openly wondered about SW quality these days as well as why SW hasn't recalled this gun yet for the screw issues. I was very, very unhappy. Told 3-6 weeks for repair.

I went back to my pistol range to RO and there was a member at a shooting station with his brand new victory. Before he began shooting it for the first time I advised him to try to remove the takedown screw. He turned his allen wrench into a corkscrew (by hand) trying unsuccessfully to remove it.

Called SW and was told that the fix is nylonized screws that supposedly won't back out. They didn't admit or apologize for this known defect which I think was very poor cust. service. I personally am off to hardware to get the proverbial #61 O ring before using it for first time. Appreciate other forum recommendation to clean thoroughly after return from SW. Am hopeful I won't have further screw issues or other new problem like the feed issue described as I have tons of bargain federal ammo to shoot.

It will be interesting if this gun holds up to new Ruger offering in the market. Hoping for the best

 

[Zeke Dickinson]

#1 10/21/16
#2 Y -- Hell yes
#3 Hasn't yet
#4 See #2 above

I have been unable to get this screw out even with Bondhus T Handle 1/8 driver. Right now my pistol is resting sights down with the screw soaking in Kano Kroil. I am going to give it a try tomorrow. If I can't do it then to S&W. I am 6'2" and 235 pounds and have broken many a bolt off ocertightening. I have been taught by this experience (and my father) never to "force" anything beyond what seems reasonable.

This pistol shoots great, although I haven't gotten it apart yet to clean it completely (Just using a Bore-snake), so I don't know its potential.

Damned irritating!

1. Box says 091515
2. Damn straight!
3. don't know haven't used
4. See #2

 

[DBenn]

S&W confirmed to me the red dot on the new screw is locktite. By the way, I asked about the use of o rings and they said they do not recommend it, but didn't give any explanation as to why. I can't possibly see any way an o ring would have any negative affect.

The only thing that I can see is that the O Ring would act like a cushion and possibly allow the barrel to move when fired.

Although I have not heard anyone using it complain about accuracy yet.

If you find that the O Ring is badly damaged after a few hundred rounds then I would say it is allowing the barrel to move and should show wear on the contact areas.

 

[Barrie]

WE have never had any complaints of the O-ring moving at all or being damaged at all from usage. My self I also recommend the o-ring and around 30-40 inch lbs of torque as well. That seems to be the perfect combination for this gun.

 

[Zeke Dickinson]

1. Box says 091515
2. Damn straight!
3. don't know haven't used
4. See #2

sorry wrong date of manufacture, from another SW gun. The Victory Box is at the shop!

 

[commonground]

I guess that I was fortunate to not have the screw too tight for removal when I bought my SW22. It was tight but broke loose with a little effort. The new screw with the NyLock from S&W is doing very well and I do not have to use a torque wrench. I'm not keen on breaking out the torque wrench or using thread lock after every take down.

I just tighten till snug and go. I have run about 150 rounds through it without loosening. I think that I will order another screw as a back up.

I also put a "Halo" charging ring on the back of the action to allow easier charging. Great investment. Augie

 

[stragler]

I just bought a new S&W Victory. One of the things that attracted me to is was the ease of disassembly. Just remove one screw, you're done. Yeah, if you can get the screw out. I've already stripped the hex wrench that came with it and another of my own trying to loosen it. I clamped vice grips on yet another hex wrench and torqued it until the hex wrench snapped. At this point, the screw is so chewed up I'm afraid to continue. It will NOT loosen. What did they put that screw in with, an air wrench? Permanent thread locker? I know they want to get it tight, but it is SUPPOSED to come out. Unbelievable. I had to hunt far and wide to even find one of these, and now it looks like I won't even be able to fire a shot before it spends a couple of months at the factory. I had heard Smith and Wesson's quality had improved of late. Maybe not.

Same tightness problem soaked in fine machine oil over night used hex wrench from Wheeler kit and a good cresent wrench to break it free. Replaced screw because socket was slightly damaged. Now torque to 45 inch lbs, and does not loosen while shooting.

 

[JOSERRODZ]

Hi I am a new member and like others I too have experienced the frustration of "owning" a Victory 22 for a few days only and having to send it back to S&W.
I live in Puerto Rico and S&W does not relate directly with the Gun Owner but rather through its Dealer(s).
The following is a reply to an email I received from S&W saying that S&W could not send me a couple of replacement Victory Takedown Screws even if I wanted to pay for them in the event that my local S&W Dealer and their Armorer could loosen the Takedown Screw.

"I just received and read your reply to my inquiry( included below) regarding the Already Long Known Issue of the S#&W Victory 22 Takedown Screw. Thank you for your reply !

This issue has been discussed for over a year since you started distributing the Victory 22. As you know it started with the Victory Takedown Screw being loose on arrival or becoming loose while being used and S&W while still not admitting their flaw on this area then started to ship the Victory 22 with the Takedown Screw so over-tight that customers and Armorers could not unscrew or get them loose. Some customers and Armorers (the lucky ones who could have the screw become loose) even discovered traces of Red Locktite in the Takedown Screw.

I waited a while to see fi this issue was corrected and finally after a year went by I purchased my S&W Victory 22 Pistol.

I thought I will be one of the lucky ones and that my Takedown Screw will become loose in a normal way the moment I decided to Takedown my Victory to clean it. I waited and shot about 50 rounds in my Range and then went home to find that I almost had my 1/8"Allen (included with the Victory ) bent and nothing happened !

So I went to my S&W Local Dealer ( DISTRIBUTOR)'s Armorer and asked him to try to loosen it and decided to write you at the same time hoping that I could have a couple of Takedown Screws sent even if I had to pay for them. Needless to say the (DISTRIBUTOR)'s Armorer could not loosen the screw nor have it taken out with his tools.

Now "my" S&W Victory 22 is waiting on S&W's Decision to have it shipped back to them under Warranty to correct this issue.

So this is where I am today:

I "OWN" A BRAND NEW S&W VICTORY 22 (WITH S&W WARRANTY THAT IS RUNNING) THAT I CANNOT USE BECAUSE OF A FLAW IN DESIGN NOT RECOGNIZED BY S&W YET AND ON TOP OF THIS I HAVE TO WAIT A MINIMUM OF 3 (THREE) MONTHS FOR S&W TO RECEIVE IT AND SEND IT BACK TO PUERTO RICO !!!

(This information was obtained as a result of a Phone call to your S&W Distributor according to their previous experience with you people at S&W)

I will be posting my experience on S&W Forums to have the members know how are you handling my issue.

I hope my experience ( positive or negative) will somehow help others in their decision to purchase this Pistol.

Please reply in order to acknowledge this email and letting me know the actions you will be taking regarding my Pistol.

Thank you for your attention to this communication !

Cordially, "