Side plate factory fitting?

[Longbow]

I keep hearing about the factory "hot fitting" the side plates, i.e.- press fitting the plate into a red-hot receiver. This does not make logical sense to me.

Anybody have any info on how it is really done or am I not understanding the process?

 

[Capt. F.]

I keep hearing about the factory "hot fitting" the side plates, i.e.- press fitting the plate into a red-hot receiver. This does not make logical sense to me.

Anybody have any info on how it is really done or am I not understanding the process?

I don’t know about the “ hot” part but IIRC someone on this forum recently explained that the side plates are/were pressed in before polishing started/starts.
I’m sure more knowledgeable members of the forum will chime in.

 

[paulj84003]

During March 1974 I was sent to S&W armor school for autos, this was held in the factory at the repair area for autos, the 1st day i was given a tour of the factory I briefly saw a fitter put an in the white side plate in place on the frame and using a punch of some sort adjust the plate to fit the frame, i was told the plate frame assm would then be sent for final machining of the plate before being finished and the remaining parts fitted.

 

[jag22]

Doesn't make sense to me either. If anything, chilling the metal would shrink it and then tighten up when it returns to room temp. Quite honestly that sounds like hooey that gets passed around on the net. Wouldn't be the first time for that. Recall where you read it?

 

[dfariswheel]

I don't know about S&W but I think they did much the same as Colt..... The side plate was fitted then bolted to the frame for polishing as one unit to insure a perfect fit.

Fitters were Masters who could fit a side plate with a stroke or two of a file.
Later models like the Mark III series were designed to be machine fitted with minimal to no hand fitting.
They still polished them on the frame.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

When I bought the 686 with the big Sideplate gap , we figured out it was a K Frame Sideplate.
Then when I couldn’t find a L Frame sideplate, away it went to Springfield.
It returned with a well fitted one.
We never did come up with a reasonable explanation of how a K Frame Sideplate got on a 686.