Where are the 5 screws?

[FLChinook]

Here's another newbie (to revolvers) question. I see reference to pre-27's as "5 screw". From pictures, I only see 3 on the right side and possibly one on the cylinder release. Where are the other 2 (or 3)?

Thanks

 

[shortwave]

On 5 screw guns :
Four in the sideplate and one on bottom of frame in front of the trigger guard.

On 4 screw: Three in sideplate(the screw on the sideplate in front of the hammer has been eliminated) and one on bottom of frame in front of trigger guard.

If you're seeing three in the sideplate, it's a 4 screw.

 

[James K]

To add to the confusion, with some stocks, the rear sideplate screw will not be visible, even though it is there.

Jim

 

[MrBorland]

If you're seeing three in the sideplate, it's a 4 screw.

One of the screws is usually covered by the grip, so with the grips still on, you'll actually just see 3 in the sideplate of a 5-screw. A 5-screw will have a screw at the top of the sideplate, just under the hammer nose.

 

[carguychris]

One of the screws is usually covered by the grip, so with the grips still on, you'll actually just see 3 in the sideplate of a 5-screw.

+1. The grips on prewar guns don't usually cover the rear sideplate screw, so a picture of a prewar gun will show the rear screw. See below.

FWIW the gun is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 5th Change.

 

[laytonj1]

Jim

 

[FLChinook]

Thanks

This forum is the absolute finest in shooters helping shooters. Thanks to all responders

 

[shortwave]

On a 4 screw revolver the #5 screw in laytonj1's photo is eliminated.

 

[Winchester_73]

Also, this 4 to 5 screw location stuff is only true for K and N frame guns. For J frame guns, they removed the trigger guard screw first.

Also, there were 4 screw guns BEFORE 5 screw guns. They had the change reversed, meaning that they had the upper side plate screw but not the trigger guard screw. Here is a thread about one I have:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496075

 

[4V50 Gary]

See the picture Jim posted.

The fourth and fifth screw are: (4) cylinder stop spring, and; (5) top sideplate screw.

 

[P5 Guy]

Sixth Screw

Why doesn't the screw holding the cylinder latch release count? And the grip screw would be #7?
Just asking

 

[James K]

Just FWIW, the first M&P revolvers, back in 1899, had only four frame screws; there was no screw at the front of the trigger guard. That screw was added to make assembly of the cylinder stop easier, then dropped decades later to cut costs.

Jim