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S&W side plate removal.

Jorge
What is the proper way to remove the side plate on S&W revolvers? I understand that one is not to pry away, but as according to Supica, to "smartly tap on the side".

How do you "smartly tap"? What kind of hammer do you use? Where do you tap - on the right side, or on the left plate? Do you tap on the middle, to the side, or to the edge and foreward? Do you hold the gun on your hand, clamp, or place flat on a table?

I have removed the plate by striking outwards on a blunt screwdriver placed against the rear edge of the plate. Could this damage the plate?

Thanks all for your replies.
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    I hold the gun in one hand with the right side of the grip frame on my bench, then rap the left side of the frame with a hardwood stick, something like a length of broom handle. Takes a little practice, & likely several raps.

    Neal
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  • peabo
    Remove the grips. Of course, remove the screws holding the side plate on. Holding the revolver in your hand and just inches from the padded table, with the plate side down, rap the grip area smartly with a hammer handle, screwdriver handle or whatever is heavy enough to give a good rap and yet not damage the revolver. The side plate should drop off. Be sure it will fall onto something soft like a folded towel or whatever.


    Thanks---Peabo
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  • givette
    PP..your sideplate has a little 'lip' in the top area, hidden from view when the gun is assembled. You need to use the lip as a point of leverage.

    When I remove the sideplate on my smif's I remove the sideplate screws, grips, then look inside the gun..see the back of the rebound slide?

    Take a wooden dowel, place it into the area that the rebound slide would have been if the gun were cocked (cock it a few times to see what I mean)..then place the dowel in the area vacated by the rebound slide when the trigger moves forward, and wedge it open.

    It should pop off. When reinserting the sideplate, insert the top part first (the lip is inserted first), then a slight 'tap' on the arched part of the sideplate (covered by the top of the grip) will seat it. Best, Joe
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  • v35
    Take out the hammer spring first because the the hammer pivot pin wont be supported on both ends.
    I've seen this pin broken out by dry firing with the side plate off.
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