Need HELP

[Ghostrider_23]

I took my 340 J-frame apart to change out the rebound spring. I pulled the part that turns or rotates the cylinder and can not get the pistol to function properly again. It felt like when I pulled the part out it had some tension on it. The part goes back together and will only rotate the cylinder if I point the pistol down some the part is engaging the cylinder, but when I point the pistol up it does not rotate the cylinder.

Can anyone help me put this back together or tell me what I am missing or doing wrong???

 

[Virginian]

That is the pawl, and there should have been a little spring behind it that pushes it into engagement with the ratchet teeth at the rear of the cylinder. What did you do to that itty bitty spring?

 

[Owen Meany]

Ghost,

I'm not qualified to offer any advice of my own, but you might want to head over to the S&W Forum's FAQ page, where (I think) there is some info on detail stripping S&W revolvers, which info would likely cover reinstalling the hand. Here's a link to page 3 of the FAQ sticky:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/875107028/p/3

In addition, Jerry Kuhnhausen's "Shop Manual" for S&W revolvers is a must have, if you don't own it already. Might want to get a copy to have on hand in these emergencies. MidwayUSA stocks it, among others.

 

[Ghostrider_23]

Fixed it

I was able to fix it. I looked at an expanded diagram to find there is a small spring inside the trigger itself that adds tension to the part that rotates the cylinder.
Thanks for your help.