Yoke screw assembly

[Ironworker]

I have an X frame in 460.I had a round that I had to large of a crimp on it so i applied a ( I guess) too much force,It broke !!!! I've ordered a Yoke screw assembly and one local gun smith asked "when was gun made" I said "2008" he said " Oh you have a 3rd generation " What is he talking about ? Was there some thing wrong with other "generations "Yoke screw assembly's" ? Any way why is the yoke screw assembly a 3 piece part ? A hollow screw,a little spring ,and a plunger ? Is there a better aftermarket Yoke screw I could obtain ?

 

[Alk8944]

Ironworker,

The term "Generation" usually refers to S&W automatics, not revolvers, so the man doesn't know what he is talking about.

There are two styles of yoke screws, the original solid ones and the newer 3-piece "yoke screw assembly". All X-frame guns use the new style.

Why the 3-piece? Because it doesn't require fitting like the solid screw which reduces fitting time and cost.

I cannot understand why you would believe the crimp on a cartridge had anything to do with breaking the yoke screw. Over-tightening with a screwdriver, yes.

There are no after-market ones available, only S&W parts. Simply replace it with a new yoke screw and keep the Gorilla away from the screwdrivers. Merely quite snug is adequate once the screw bottoms out, not until you get a hernia.

 

[Ironworker]

Too late

I tightened it too much . I'll let off a bit. BUT still if I push to hard on the yoke it slips over the plunger . I guess I better be gentle with it. So was previous design of yoke screw better ?

 

[dfariswheel]

If you can push the yoke forward with the retention screw assembly snug, something is seriously wrong.

Buy a new retention screw assembly. DON'T ever try to disassemble it, it's not intended to come apart.

Inspect the yoke shaft for damage, then put it together and snug the new retention assembly down.
Without pushing it like your trying to shove a car up a hill, the yoke should not come out.
If it does, something is very wrong and it needs to go back to S&W, NOT your local gunsmith.

The old style retention screw was not necessarily better or worse, the new style doesn't require hand fitting, and it does a good job of retaining the yoke without any yoke end shake. (Forward and back looseness of the yoke).
There was a problem with the old screw retention in that it was the same screw as the lower side plate screw only hand fitted, and many times people disassembled the gun and got the screws switched.
This would often damage the yoke when the wrong screw was installed.