Colt Python statement from Colt at SHOT...

[FalconLair]

That is the case with most revolvers, side plates keep all the internal parts in thier proper location. Checking that the screws are tight should be part of normal preventative maintenance with a wheelgun.

i've done the loctite thing with all my Smith's and my Colt King Cobra - fortunately it's not necessary with the Ruger GP100's, no side plate

[FalconLair]

My Kimber K6s was recalled because the side plate would come loose. I never sent it in though because the solution was to apply loctite and I could do that myself. I was told that the loose side plate would result in the gun not firing.

how you liking that Kimber?

i've been eyeballing the Kimber K6 DASA they recently came out with

[mausercat]

My Kimber is one of the early ones. I like it. The sights are really nice and the recoil is surprisingly light because of the weight. It is basically a Smith Wesson J Frame action inside. My biggest gripe is that the ejector has some play in it and when you eject the cartridges the ejector sometimes twists and will not return into the cylinder without some twisting movement to make sure it returns back into its ejector cutout in the cylinder. All of the ones I have handled have this play. It is not really a problem. You almost have to force it to not return properly, but it does bug me a little. My Colts, Rugers and Smiths do not have this much play. I remember that the old Smiths used to have pins in the cylinder that held the ejector. Nevertheless it is a good gun, but I would be a little bit leery of it for a quick reload.