Strain Bolt

waho

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Anybody know where to get a strain bolt for a 686? Brownells is out, Midway is discontinued, S&W doesn't have any, the place S&W referred me too doesn't have any for the round butt. Is a set screw my only option?
 
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It's too darn early for me to swear to this, but IIRC, that particular item is an 8-32 screw thread. There are some socket head screws available in that size, the head diameter might have to be whittled down some.

Couple of years ago I bought some from Numrich/gunpartscorpdotcom.
 
Screw assistance for 3 finishes in general.........


Try ebay, gun parts resellers, gun shows. The S&W Strain Screw is just an 8-32 screw so you can get them at any hardware store. Make sure to buy the correct style head! If it's for a blued gun then try not to get one that has been plated, Nickeled or is made of stainless steel. After getting it to the length you need for a good reliable and safe trigger pull weight, clean it with alcohol and blue it. Oil it and you're good to go!

When doing one for your Stainless 686 THEN you can use Stainless (if available) or just polish up the steel screw to match your stainless finish as best as possible.

For Nickeled guns - you can high polish a steel screw and it will look like Nickel.
 
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Thanks all, ended up using a 1/2" long set screw.The grip covers the front of the frame so the screw can't be seen. Shoots fine now.
 
Thanks all, ended up using a 1/2" long set screw.The grip covers the front of the frame so the screw can't be seen. Shoots fine now.

Sir,

If you have used a headless set screw with an Allen Key drive then it won't tighten to a definite stop and could eventually loosen up under recoil. If that is indeed what you have used, I'd recommend replacing it with a proper headed screw of the proper type and adjusting to proper size. This way it will come to a complete stop, remain tight and never loosen. S&W used this type of headed screw for a reason. If I have misunderstood what you are referring to as a set screw, then please ignore this. :o
 
Sir,

If you have used a headless set screw with an Allen Key drive then it won't tighten to a definite stop and could eventually loosen up under recoil. If that is indeed what you have used, I'd recommend replacing it with a proper headed screw of the proper type and adjusting to proper size. This way it will come to a complete stop, remain tight and never loosen. S&W used this type of headed screw for a reason. If I have misunderstood what you are referring to as a set screw, then please ignore this. :o

A drop of blue locktite will keep the screw in place but it can still be removed.
 
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