S&W Revolvers assembly & disassembly

[4v50 Gary]

Re: handspring replacement - model 19 S&W

Got a PM which I decided to share with everyone.

Originally Posted by jh
Hi,
I have been searching net for instructions to replace the hand spring on a Model 19 revolver.
Your name, on this web site, came up through a google search.
I found the link for what you posted in 2003 on S&W assembly but that link seems to be dead now.

The handspring on my model 19 flew off when I was taking it apart for cleaning and I don't know how it goes back.
It has a long arm and a short arm.
The hand has 3 different studs sticking out of it onto which the spring pivot could possibly fit.
Do you by any chance have a picture or schematic you could email me showing how it is supposed to fit?

thanks very much - it would be greatly appreciated,
jh (yes, a brand new member)

Read this first: Assembly/Disassembly instructions from TheFiringLine

jh: If I recall correctly, the hand, which engages the ratchet to rotate the cylinder, has three studs. The uppermost stud prevents counter-rotation so don't worry about it. The biggest (and lowest) stud fits into a hole in the trigger. The hand spring that is inside the trigger rests atop of the arm (center stud) and provides tension so that the hand may return to its position of rest.

Study this diagram: Click Here

I remove the trigger from the frame and then install the hand into it prior to reinstalling the trigger. So, here's what you have to do.

Partially insert the hand only enough so that the spring bearing arm (center stud) remains clear of the spring. Now, use a small screwdriver and push up on the arm of the spring and while the spring is held up, push the hand all the way down. Release the screwdriver and the spring should snap down on the center stud.

Now, install the trigger into the frame. Replace the rebound slide (use a philips screwdriver to compress the rebound slide spring) and then the hammer. Tighten the hammer spring. Install the hammer block and then the sideplate.

Good luck!

Gary

 

[Jim K]

Good stuff. Now on the new guns, you can forget it all. The new hand spring has no pin. With the magic of MIM, they can do things just about impossible with any kind of machining. The round coils of the hand spring fit into an round slot in the trigger with one end in a hole deep in the trigger and the other end bearing on the hand. The last part is normal, but I strongly suggest not letting the hand spring jump off the hand with the new system as it is tricky to reinstall it. Not disaster, or insurmountable problem, but tricky. Maybe someday we can learn to do it as easily as the old system.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

Hopefully his model 19 uses the older system. Relatively few model 19's were made with MIM lockwork. They (sob!) discontinued the model shortly after the change to MIM. I have one example with the later lockwork in my collection, and I don't plan to get more.

 

[jharry3]

thank ya'll very much.
My model 19 is about 30 years old and has the pinned barrel so its got to be the "old" system for the hand spring.

kind regards,
Jharry3