Trick to reassembling a J-frame?

[Kacerdias]

I learned a valuable lesson today - I am not a gunsmith. Somewhere in the fog of my mind I decided to try doing a homemade trigger job on my 637 Smith. Taking it apart was a cinch! I had 2 new reduced power springs waiting from Wolff and I was dying to try them out. I carefully took each small part out and polished any surfaces that made metal to metal contact until they gleamed. Getting the trigger and rebound spring assembly out wasn't so easy but I attempted it anyway. Sproing! The rebound spring shot across the room and left a small dent in the far wall before landing on a very startled cat. I reviewed my handywork and noticed that I had broken the trigger lever. Wonderful. :banghead:

How in the world do you reassemble the trigger and rebound spring assembly? Even this reduced power spring is pretty much impossible to compress enough to stuff it back in. There has to be a trick to it; I just don't know what it is.

 

[SRYnidan]

There is a special tool available from Brownells, but in a pinch one can use a small screwdriver that will fit inside the bore of the rebound slide (with care).
If you have one to spare cutting a notch to clear the pin helps a lot.

 

[swacje41]

The "trick" is to take the gun to somebody that knows what they are doing and has the right equipment.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I may tinker with my 1911 but I will never take a revlover apart. You just found out why.

 

[ChristopherG]

The trick is to wear eye protection. Honestly, you just have to ram that bad boy back in there, usually using make-do tools (I've heard about the Brownell's tool, but like most don't have it and use a screwdriver. And patience.).

 

[Clemson]

I have the Brownells tool, but I usually use a #2 Phillips screwdriver. Wearing your safety glasses, start the rebound slide into the frame and position the spring inside the slide. Use the screwdriver tip to compress the spring into the rebound slide all the way until the screwdriver contacts the slide face. Lower the slide until one of the flutes on the screwdriver is over the pin and then just push the slide down and into place while withdrawing the screwdriver. It's easier to do than to explain.

Clemson

 

[Standing Wolf]

The Kuhnhausen book is well worth the cost and time spent reading. You'll still have trouble reinstalling the rebound slide and spring, but a.) you'll know why, and b.) you'll no longer be intimidated by the design.

 

[JoeHatley]

I've got the Brownell's tool, but almost never use it for re-assembly. I find a #2 Phillips screwdriver works better.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[W Turner]

Basic disassembly of a SW revolver isn't impossible, I pretty much taught myself how to strip one down far enough to do a trigger polish on one. Just don't get in a rush, take a break when you're frustrated, and watch out for that rebound slide/spring!

W