problem w/ 1006-slide stop assembly

[jiminthe burg]

Went to clean my 1006 after some range time. I have disassembled this pistol as well as a 4506 numerous,numerous times.

Could not push out the slide stop assembly and it just about floored me. after scratching my head and looking at it, I saw the the spring loaded pin on the end of the assembly was below the piece of metal that it normally rest on, and, if I am not mistaken, it is called the slide plate assembly and is a very long piece

Was able to push the pin in so I could push the slide assembly up and was able to push the s. s. assembly out, cleaned it and reassembled it.

To cut to the chase, I looked at my 4506 and saw that the pin in the assembly rested just about in the middle of the slide plate assembly, ( the end is bent like a u ) and the back part  of the slide stop assembly was just about touching the slide and that the slide plate assembly had very little play in it.  However, on my 1006, the spring loaded pin in the assembly was again , after reassembly, resting below the piece of metal and there was a gap between assembly and the bottom of the slide. If you pushed the pin in, the s. stop assembly will go up but the slide plate moves more than a 1/16 " so that the whole stop assembly now drops below the plate assembly and the slide stop assembly can't be removed until the slide stop plate is pushed up again.

Hope that this is clear. Has any one else had this problem?  Will it hurt to continue shooting with the play in the s. s. plate. Did not think I had a bad assembly so i tried the one from my 4506 and it did not solve the problem.

Any thought or suggestions will be appreciated.

[Intercooler]

Can you post the pictures of the 1006 and 4506 pieces in question? I have a 1006 but can't picture it...

[jiminthe burg]

Darn,
As Numrick was out of this part. I googled this part and got a link for this problem. It is entitled What's up with 3rd Gen slideplate  and is on the S & W forum.
The forked end of the assembly gets bent and comes off the sear pin.
Now that I know what is going on, will it hurt to shoot it until I can get it fixed, if anyone has an opinion?
Hopefully, I attached the diagram and if you are interested, this posting in the S & W forum is quite long

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/149187-whats-up-3rd-gen-sideplate-assembly.html

I was able to post a link  and the diagram that is helpful was made by Phillip Marlowe on 8-6-2010 @ 8:07 pm  Could not post attachment so cleared it.

[Intercooler]

Interesting. How do you think yours might have become bent? Can it not be simply straightened using a board?

[jiminthe burg]

I/C,
I don't have a clue as to why this has happened. When I bought this handgun, it was unfired and I am guessing I have not put much more than 1500 rounds thru it  and probably not more than 150 200 gr w/ 10 grs of B. D.  in terms of the strongest loads.
I don't think think the fork could be straightened as it is so small. There may be a problem with the sear pin
I just posted on the S& W forum shooting it a few more times as there seem to be a lot of people there who are familiar w/ this problem.

[The_Shadow]

This can be caused by improper removal or installation of grip panels.  Be sure to read that entire section in the link posted.
Take off your grip panel and look to see if the fork is spread or bent some have even cracked.

[Intercooler]

I put a Hogue on mine the day I received it. I hope I did it this right or this link may come in handy 

[jiminthe burg]

Must have cracked because I have never had the grips off. Shadow, I wanted to post the picture you posted but could not figure out how to do it.

[jiminthe burg]

My 1006 is fixed.  Shadow, I think you are right re improper removal/installation of the grips causing the problem w/ the side plate assembly. I later remembered that the original grips had been taken off by a 'smith. 

I had not removed the grips as I was afraid  of the parts that were held in place by the grips may be launched and thus lost.

I ordered the assembly, in case it was bad, from S & W ( back ordered ) with some other parts and as I had not gotten the other parts from S & W, I called again and found that shipping is running at least 2-3 weeks behind. I was told that a plant in Maine either could make this part or had them on hand but the rep didn't know the process of how this back order would be filled. This rep did tell me of other places ( besides Numrich ) that have carried S & W parts.

In a way I feel bad because it seems that I am taking and not giving back. So, in case anyone is interested in the names of these business for future reference/use, here they are: jackfirstguns; gungaragegunparts; and gunsnparts. The gun garage in Ark had an assembly but was unsure as to whether or not it would fit but said he would take it back if it did not. I ordered it and it was the correct assembly.

Shortly after buying the 1006, I had a trigger job done .  The gunsmith said this was the first one he had done so i am thinking that not knowing about the proper method of removing/installing the original grips caused the problem . One of the ends of the fork was broken. I also had a pair of Hogues put on.  I have mixed feelings about this last gunsmith but at least  he was familiar with the 3rd gen S & W.

I am glad to be a member of this forum and am appreciative of the help and suggestions everyone has given me!

Thanks again, everyone.

[The_Shadow]

Congrats on getting things fixed!