Opinions on Sideplate Fitting ?

DonVoigt · 10-07-2015, 09:00 PM

In kind of reverse order, if the front tang is too short, the side plate will be loose- with fore and aft movement.

I would not try to "bend" the tang, it might break and it would not fit correctly if "angled"; but of course you have one that is already bent, so nothing lost if you try to straighten it. Holding it without causing more damage will be a challenge.

Actually both sides of the tang should be fit, the back should fit the curve of the frame and lay flat against it. Then the front can be filed to allow the locking arm to close, use prussian blue to find the high spot(s). In the literature there is a spec. shown for the "extra" thickness left on armorers
replacement side plates, I don't remember where but perhaps 0.1-0.2mm was left for fitting.

The fit of the arm to the curve of the tab should be done concurrently with the fitting of the top of the tang, they should allow the arm to rotate snugly against the side plate and be tight in both areas when fully "closed".

The tab into the frame is probably the easiest to fix, just adjust the thickness with a fine safe edge file.

Hope this helps.

10-07-2015, 09:00 PM	#1
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	In kind of reverse order, if the front tang is too short, the side plate will be loose- with fore and aft movement. I would not try to "bend" the tang, it might break and it would not fit correctly if "angled"; but of course you have one that is already bent, so nothing lost if you try to straighten it. Holding it without causing more damage will be a challenge. Actually both sides of the tang should be fit, the back should fit the curve of the frame and lay flat against it. Then the front can be filed to allow the locking arm to close, use prussian blue to find the high spot(s). In the literature there is a spec. shown for the "extra" thickness left on armorers replacement side plates, I don't remember where but perhaps 0.1-0.2mm was left for fitting. The fit of the arm to the curve of the tab should be done concurrently with the fitting of the top of the tang, they should allow the arm to rotate snugly against the side plate and be tight in both areas when fully "closed". The tab into the frame is probably the easiest to fix, just adjust the thickness with a fine safe edge file. Hope this helps.