I probably should have done this as a Nwew thread from the start - instead of locating an older Thread (uh, like 3 years ago) and inserting it in the end of it!

Anyway....

I recently obtained a VG Condition (VG++) S&W M1917 that had some minor work done to it (trigger job, new front sight, custom grips)... but is also missing the "Yoke Stop" amd the "Yoke Spring".

I can get a Yoke Spring from Numrich Arms (GPC) for a couple bucks... but they are sold out of the Yoke Stop. I assume that is the pin?

My experiences with S&W revolvers were the Model 10 (10-3, then 10-5) Heavy Barrel models, a Model 28 Highway Patrolman, and then also a S&W Model 10-5 2" Barrel as a primary Backup and off-duty Carry and a S&W Model 38 Airweight as a secondary Backup and Backup Carry off-duty the first few year in Law Enforcement

(BTW, I still have all of those except that Model 28 - which one day I will replace).

Anyway, I don't recall any of those having this described setup as on the S&W Model 1917. And Lord knows that I have cleaned all of them beaucoup times!

I also have a (also somewhat recent purchase) Colt New Service large frame in 45 Colt and a (long ago purchased, easily 40-45 years ago) Colt M1917 - and neither of those seems to have that same setup... and the Colt M1917, which is a real tack driver, functions just fine.

Even though we transitioned to auto pistols in the mid 1970s, I always kept up with the revolver reloading drills as we were taught.

My question is this....

How vital are those parts to normal operation - or were they just an ease in reloading?

Can I get away without replacing?

Or should I buy the spring and have the yoke stop (assuming it is the pin) made up from an appropriate size of old drill bit and replace?

(Numrich as the complete Yoke Assembly, but only in case-hardened color that would be unmatching - and it is over $50 not even counting S&H)

Thanks in advance for any info.

You are referring to the little ball and spring-type detent to help keep the cylinder open? It really doesn't fill any essential need. An awful lot of older S&W HEs are missing them and most of their owners don't even know it. You could probably make your own if you wanted to.

For a collector of vintage guns it would probably be something that had to be remedied. For a enthusiast who has mostly shooter grade guns (like me) it wouldn't matter too much. I have owned two shooter grade 1917s. The first one had the intact yoke detent/spring, my current one does not. I can tell no difference in loading/shooting/reloading. If it bugs you fix it, if it don't let it go.