Whew! Ever have... ???

[NotSoFast]

Ever have one of those "Oops" moments while cleaning your gun?

Thursday I was familiarizing myself with my new sp101 when the pawl spring went *sproing!* as I removed the trigger assembly. At first I didn't notice it since I wasn't familiar with the gun yet. But when I put it back together and the barrel wouldn't rotate nor the hammer cock, I knew something was wrong. After searching for a half hour in a 10 foot diameter, I gave up and ordered replacement parts for it (with backups for the inevitable "next time."

But today, while vacuuming, I happened to look down not two feet from where I was sitting and there was the spring and plunger assembly just laying there. Whew!!! Cleaned said revolver, lubed it and put it all back together and it is working fine.

At least now I know what to hold onto if I ever take the trigger assembly out again, and I have a start on a spare parts kit for it.

So how do you prevent little springy things from flying off into oblivion?

And how often do you detail strip your revolver? I'm familiar with pistols mostly and am new at revolvers.

 

[GunsAreGood]

When I got my first Remington 870 I was breaking it down for the first time and when I took the forend off the bolt and bolt carrier came out quickly and fell on the floor in pieces. It took me about an half hour to get it back together right and once I did I just hoped it was correct. I function tested it and it was good. I was sweating it a little bit though. I laugh because it is second nature to me now. As for keeping springs from flying all over the place I recently saw someone suggesting a little takedown box that is almost like those sand blast boxes with the rubber arms that go into the box with a clear top but without the gloves and it would be home made. I can not remember if it was on this forum or not.

 

[NotSoFast]

Glad you found all your parts too.

Your idea sounds like it would work. A box big enough to hold the action/trigger assembly/whatever with a small fluorescent light of some sort in it, holes in the sides for your hands and a hinged Plexiglas cover to see through. Inexpensive and easy to build. It might be awkward though if it was too small.

And to make it cheaper, a cardboard box and Saran wrap would be a substitute. Maybe $20 to make it work. Hmmmm...next time. lol

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[GunsAreGood]

Yea might be a little awkward to use but if it just for parts you have never taken apart or certain pieces with small springs that have a tendency to fly off any to never be found again it might be a option. I noticed you are from the Bay Area. I am in the Bay as well just wondering what ranges you go to or what part of the Bay you live in. If you do not want to put that info in this thread it is very understandable. You can personal message me if you would like. If you would not like to share that info at all with me it is also understandable.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Been there done that with a Security Six.

 

[Mike J]

You could try taking it apart inside a clear plastic bag. That should help contain things.

 

[bja5006]

yep. lost a spring on a revolver just like you did. AND i took apart the trigger assembly of my used Mossberg 500 to give it a good cleaning. handed the gunsmith about 30 little pieces in a zip-loc bag. at least they're clean though. never doin that again.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

"Idiot mark" on my new SIG 1911. It was more of a moment than an "oops."