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Backstrap Removal???

9371 Views 33 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  skiwesson
Is there an easy way to remove the frame tool for backstrap replacement?



The medium feels good, but I'd like to at least be able to try the small and large.



I've tried until my fingers are sore, and I can't believe it's this hard. I must be doing something wrong.



Will S&W send me another frame tool if I tell them mine broke during removal, or will they require me to send the gun in for repair?



I'm about ready to rip this lady out with some pliers, but I don't want to scratch up my new gun...



Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!
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My understanding (from the LE rep in my armorer class) is that they will send you a new one if necessary. The plastic on the tool is not as strong as the zytel polymer frame, so make sure you mess up just the tool and not the frame if you go at it with pliers.



Wrap a soft cloth around the tool to protect the plastic from the pliers.
4
I am going to try and explain how I saw the tool removed. Place you gun, butt first, against a counter top. Have the flat side of the tool resting on the top of the counter. Then just twist the whole gun while keeping some downward pressure on the tool. This method twisted the tool pretty easily and did not damage it at all. No tools needed
.



Here are a couple of pics that I hope will help.



Ron







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DAYam...why didn't I think of that???? Super easy and almost Guaranteed not to mark up the frame tool.
That will work until you get one of those super duper tight ones (of course it seems they all come my way). I use my bench block that has a V groove in it then I can put downward pressure on the tool at the same time I turn the whole gun.
So I finally got the stupid thing to turn a 1/4 turn with the help of a trusty vice, but now I can't seem to pull it out. I think they welded it into my frame
. If anyone has any tricks please let me know.
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No worries, you wont break it, just work it back and forth. I had to pull pretty hard after the quarter turn. Remove the magazine (duh pistol should be unloaded) and look inside the mag well at the tool's notch to make sure it clears the lug it engages.
Mine was incredibly hard to remove. Even using pliers, it took significant force. The first time I got the tool out, I noticed a large blob of plastic flashing on one of the injection molding seams. After removing that blob, its now stiff but possible to remove by hand. Stiff I like; It won't fall out that way!



--EasyD
easy D --- the tool should have a know on it. thats what locks it in when you turn it back to normal...i hope this isnt the knob you removed
Guys this is a great site.

Have had my M&P40 for a couple of weeks, but only wiped down the outside with CLP and held it a few times. Planned to strip it and clean it this weekend.



I check this site often, and stumbled on the frame tool thread. I understood how the tool was removed and worked, and I thought to myself I hope it doesn't fall out while shooting.



FAT chance of that. I read here about how hard it is to get out.



I used the oil it first, let it sit a bit, then pliers and a cloth. Still hard, and I nattered up the tool base just a little.



Got it turned, and had to wrap some thin plastic coated wire around it to give it a good pull....had to pull hard, and it gave quite suddenly. I turned it 90 degrees before pulling (not the 45 the manual states) and that seemed to help.



I would never have gotten it out if I hadn't read this thread...it was frustrating enough as is...I'm glad I didn't get time to clean it until now, and found the thread first.



THANKS.



If I natter it up any more during the next few strips, I may contact S&W about a repalcement. I may anyway, the design leaves something to be desired.



Can't believe the frustration. This thing better shoot as well as I've read.
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Ronts method worked out lovely for me!!! Didnt take the chance of f'n up the tool with plyers this was as well. The medium is my choice, the large fits my hand, just barely though, kind of feels blocky, the small is just too small....lol



Good luck, again try using the table or whatever you have and just rotate it as Ront directed!!!
I jsut grabbed mine with pliers, turn it exactly 1/4 turn, and yanked hard the first time. It came out, I almost fell over, but no harm came to the tool or grip. ::shrug:: It does get easier after a while. I can now take it out without tools, but it's still difficult



Ciao,

Effy
Effyouess said:
I jsut grabbed mine with pliers, turn it exactly 1/4 turn, and yanked hard the first time. It came out, I almost fell over, but no harm came to the tool or grip. ::shrug:: It does get easier after a while. I can now take it out without tools, but it's still difficult



Ciao,

Effy


Nice visual you set for us with you almost falling on your ass....lol But I can totally see how that happened. They didnt put them in there to come out easy! But I think thats good. Mine comes out now with my fingers, but yes its stuck in there pretty good, just as it should. When I first landed my M&P9 I thought to myself damn thats in there, almost started feeling like a little girl un till I started reading how everyone here has had the same problem....lol



We are men right???
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i use the magazine base plate in the same way the above user used the table...works like a charm
PatM&P said:
easy D --- the tool should have a know on it. thats what locks it in when you turn it back to normal...i hope this isnt the knob you removed


Crap... So your saying the two extended seams on the sides of the tool, and its taper plus pressure in the frame, aren't what told it in place?



Oh well, atleast the tools are cheap...



--EasyD
3
Here's a great tip.



Take a look at the butt plate of the Smith Factory Mags. See the indent at the front of it. Does the shape look like something may fit inside of it. Kind of like a socket. Still have to wiggle it out once you get it turned 1/4 turn but it works like a champ.



My wife tells me that this is why I get paid the big bucks.




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The indents in my mags don't look like that. Mine won't fit my tool.

What is the serial number prefix of your gun?
Interesting.

All of my butt plates look like this.

And this is from a MPN gun:



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