Model 929 H&R Sidekick with 2" bbl

[Oldnamvet]

A friend dropped one of these in my lap and asked if I could fix it. Claimed it only fired half the time. First thing I noticed is that it would not cock in single action mode. One of the older ones since the firing pin is part of the hammer. Never worked on one of these so wondered if there are any dis-assembly instructions posted anywhere. Anything in particular that I should be looking for?

 

[rcmodel]

Many of them had a plastic head on the mainspring guide rod that breaks.

Part #24A here.
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufac...on-33274/Revolvers-36449/929-38110.htm?page=3

You will also have to make & use slave pins to put it back together if you take it apart.

rc

 

[JRH6856]

I have repaired two with the same problem as described and it was due to the broken plastic head. I used the steel head version as a replacement.

And yes, slave pins are definitely required if you take it apart, but you don't always have to do that to replace just the hammer strut.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I pulled the hammer strut/spring assembly and it appears in good shape and a steel one rather than plastic. Guess I'll have to go inside to have a look. I assume that I have to tap out the 3 pins holding the trigger assembly/guard so that I can get a look at the internals. Doesn't seem to be a simple side plate on this pistol. Pictures follow.

 

[JRH6856]

The first thing I notice in the pics is comparing the 2nd pic to the 4th, the sear (the little lever at the back of the trigger guard) doesn't seem to reset. It should be a bit farther forward when the hammer is not cocked. Compare to my 923. You could have a weak or broken sear spring.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Took it on down most of the way. Only the trigger remains in the frame. The sear spring was OK as were most of the other components. The sear did not have a sharp engagement with the hammer. Hammer notches were extremely small and not sharp. If I could get an identical replacement hammer (integral with the firing pin), I would just order a new one and a new sear. Now I am wondering if some careful work with a jewelers file could make it a safe connection. A match pistol trigger is not what is needed for this little camp pistol. Just a plinker.

 

[Jim K]

With those guns, it is a good idea to do some diagnostics before jumping in and taking them apart; they are not easy to get back together. There are a lot of possible reasons for misfiring, including ammunition, that should be checked out first.

Jim

 

[Oldnamvet]

Not that worried about the misfiring -- not being able to use it single action is the main problem. It is pretty simple mechanics actually.

 

[JRH6856]

Finding the old style hammer may be a problem. If truing up the notches doesn't do it, you may need to weld them up and cut new ones. Or maybe a new sear might engage the old hammer better.

JimK is right about diagnosing as much as you can before tearing it down, but it looks like you are already into it. (but not too bad because the trigger assembly is where the problems really start).

 

[dogrunner]

Are you sure that the sear spring hasn't been 'clipped'. Been years since I took one of those down, but I seem to recall that the spring was finished with a flat end configuration......that sorta fits with the comment about no reset.


PS: Just did a quick check with Gunparts............they list a hammer for 15.00.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Ordered the parts last night. Replacing the springs as well just in case. Overall the little gun is in pretty good shape.

 

[Oldnamvet]

$40 (with shipping) worth of new parts, some cussing and finding new ways to hold things in alignment and the pistol is now functional. Actually has a pretty nice trigger pull in single action. Accuracy with the little 2" bbl may be something else again.