642 hammer removal

For some reason I am having a very difficult time removing, and replacing, the hammer in my 642. I have never tried to remove one before from a J frame with an internal hammer. The hammer finally came out, after a lot of time playing with it, and went back in with just as much difficulty. Going back in, I finally pushed the firing pin in, and held it in with a feeler gauge, so the hammer would clear at the highest point. There must be a certain position, or trick, to doing it. Also the rebound block was tight, and didn't want to lift off the stud very easily?

The trick is getting use to it.

As for the rebound slide, I buy a cheap 99 cent flat bladed screwdriver and grind down one end just so it fits inside the slide. Insert that tip of the blade and place your thumb over the slide to catch it and the rebound slide spring as you pop it up.

Do you have the trigger pulled the whole way to the rear when you're attempting to remove the hammer?

If not, you're going to have problems.

Mike,
It didn't want to clear the frame, at the top, when all the way to to the rear. Never pulled one without the open top before.

Hum...

I need to pull mine apart again, it's overdue for a cleaning, so I'll see if I can find any quick tricks.

Thanks Mike.