OK, I've screwed something up. I took my newish CS45 out for the second trip to the range, and when I got home I disassembled it to clean it like I always do. Something has gone wrong because the slide starts to jam/lock up/run into something after I pull it back about 1", and I can't insert the magazine. It goes in and then runs into something about 1" away from being fully seated. I can see it's running into the pieces at the back of the magazine column below the hammer. I can pull the trigger, but I can't pull back more than about 1".

I've disassembled and reassembled this gun once before, and also my 4053 and 4556 and never had this problem.

What did I do, and how can I fix it?

Need some pics of what your talking about and it will be a easy fix.

How far did you disassemble it?

John

Here are some pics of it ready to go back together, and the magazine in as far as it will go.

Attached Images

	20141206_173625.jpg (48.7 KB, 177 views)
	20141206_173609.jpg (56.6 KB, 125 views)
	20141206_173456.jpg (134.9 KB, 132 views)

Just slide, barrel, guide rod assembly, frame.

You need to take the mag out of the frame while putting the slide on. Take your thumb and hold the levers down in front of the hammer and pull the slide on to the frame.

Just to cover a couple bases here to be sure...

The hammer must be down against the frame. The slide won't go on with the hammer at full cock.

It won't go on with a magazine in either.

That being said, I do see one thing that appears out of sorts in your pictures.

In the first shot, That hole in the topside of the frame between the ejector and the sear release+firing pin safety levers. Well I should see the top of your disconnector sticking up out of that hole. It looks like the disconnector is slightly mis-aligned too which could easily be the case if the top is broken off. If I'm correct, that could easily tie thing up and be the source of your problems.

Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

Granted I have a steel disconnector in this particular gun however yours should still look like this except with black delrin (plastic) instead and with the top of the disconnector sticking up above the frame.

Same aspect as your photo looking from the front.


And another view from the right side.


I think I might be looking around for the broken off piece which also might be lodged in the gun's lockwork tying things up.

Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

The magazine is only there for the picture to show how far it can be inserted before it can't go any further.

The slide goes on, it's just that once it's reassembled I can't pull the slide back more than about an inch.

Here's a picture of the hole in question. It doesn't look like the piece is broken to me, but it is not sticking up out of the hole.

Attached Images

20141206_192801.jpg (55.3 KB, 137 views)

That's a good picture, thank Bill. Mine doesn't look like that, but I don't think it's broken off, it looks like it's just stuck below the hole.

I think that piece is broken. I pulled the trigger and it popped up above the surface like it's supposed to, but it's totally loose and it just moves around like it's broken. It doesn't fall out though. What is that piece, and where can I get another?

Ok if it doesn't look broken then there's one other thing to check.

Normally the disconnector rides atop the drawbar like so.


It's not unheard of for the disconnector the get caught under the drawbar and jam up the works winding up sort of like this.


You'll need to pull the grip off and check that the disconnector is where it ought to be.

Looking at it from below you should see the disconnector foot riding atop the drawbar. When everything is right it should look like this.


A little closer.


Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

It acts broken.

If you find that your disconnector is indeed broken, Brownells has the earlier steel version of that part in stock.
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-par...prod14528.aspx

Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

They're out of stock.

Well hell! They were in stock when I typed that. Tell ya what, PM me your address and I'll send you one.

Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

Must have been a glitch, looks like they're in stock now.

edit: good pictures Bill, thanks.

Dave

That's strange, last night they showed out of stock. I just ordered two. Thanks guys!

Update: I got the new disconnector from Brownells and fully disassembled the pistol, which is the first time I've taken a 3rd gen apart this far. Unfortunately it looks like a second piece is broken, a thin sheet directly behind the magazine column/in front of and above the main spring. Picture attached.

Does anyone know the name of this piece and if/where I can get a replacement?

Attached Images

CS45.jpg (36.3 KB, 99 views)

That is the sear spring, I believe. I can't say positively that they are the same across the third gen line, but Numrich has them for the 4506 5 inch 8 shot, and the 4516 3.75 inch 7 shot with the same part number.

That is the sear spring and you are in luck 'cause almost everybody has 'em.

John

But I don't see 'em broke very often.

Yup, that's the sear spring alright. S&W part number 108320000.
Looks like Numrich has them in stock:
Sear Spring (Flat) Gun Parts | 362460 | Numrich Gun Parts

First time I've seen one broken as well, judging by the staining it looks like there may have been some corrosion going on under there.

Take care to not damage the sear retaining pin and especially be wary of damaging the holes in the frame. You want those holes to grip the pin tightly when you reinstall things so take care not to wallow them out any.

You'll want to tap the pin out left to right. First apply some good penetrating oil like PB Blaster or Kroil and let it sit for a few hours. Start the pin moving with a 1/16" starting punch then switch to a 1/16" pin punch and drift it out. Install the pin over the new sear spring in the reverse manner, from right to left. Again, be careful to not damage the frame holes. All the other parts can be replaced, not so the frame.

Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

I believe the part number for the sear spring is 108320000. It appears to be the same for all the Chief's Specials.

__________________
Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

Yup, same part number amongst all the 3rd gens.

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

Dang it Bill, you beat me by two minutes!

__________________
Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

Well, that's a weird breakage. Not one I've ever seen happen, myself.

BTW, the current sear leaf spring is wide and has a raised (lengthwise) ridge in the bottom third of the spring, compared to the older one that was narrower and had a set of raised dimples. The pin passes over the raised rib.

I've heard of older ones maybe becoming curled with age and use, and sometimes maybe cracking (lengthwise), but I've never seen it myself. The former head armorer with whom I used to work (from 1st & 2nd gen days) once told me he'd never personally seen a broken sear spring, either. Doesn't mean it can't happen, though. Just not something that appears to be remotely common.

Also doesn't mean it might not happen if someone tries to tinker with one and they don't know what they're doing, though.

Replacing the sear spring pin can take a bit of patience and attention. I've only had to do it once, myself, and I've been working as a 3rd gen armorer since the late 90's, helping support at least a thousand issued and personally-owned 3rd gen's over the years.

I'm told they presently use a fixture that holds the frame and incorporates a tool tip to push against the 'leading end' of the sear spring pin pin as it's pushed into the frame (once it's passed over the raised dimple of the spring), so the front end of the pin can be pressed back into the proper position to enter the opposite frame hole without damaging the frame (really important with an aluminum frame).

Unless someone has the knowledge and experience to make this repair, I'd recommend they use the services of either the factory or a qualified gunsmith familiar with 3rd gen guns. (Or maybe a LE armorer who is familiar with doing it.) The frame is the expensive, serial-numbered part of the gun, and it's not like they can send you another one if you damage it (even if they were still making them).

Just my thoughts.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I have removed and replaced a number of sear springs.
The trick to installing the pin on the springs with a raised rib is to use a small C-clamp to "guide" the tip of the pin as it is pushed in to the hole in the left rear grip rail.

John

I used a brass punch to press against the leading end of the pin while tapping the pin to the opposite frame hole (using a plastic mallet to warn me of the wrong kind of resistance being encountered ).

FWIW, I've been told that the sear spring pins are now on the obsolete "we're not ordering anymore of them" list because they don't break and it's rare to have to replace one. That's not to say that some kitchen-table tinkerer or inattentive armorer can't somehow manage to break one.

When I realized I didn't have a couple for one frame size, and wanted to round out some of my parts drawers, I had to wait for a contact at the factory to look through some desk drawers to find a couple for me.

Don't break'em, probably won't need'em.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Sorry for your problem(s). I love my CS45. It is my carry gun. I have taken it apart numerous times after going to the range, and cleaned it. Knock on wood, never had any problems. It is a great pistol.

This is unbelievable, but I bought 2 new sear springs and a set of brass starter punches and a set of stainless steel pin punches. I removed the pin very carefully and it is slightly bent. It makes me think someone had this apart before and wasn't careful with it. Fortunately I think the frame is OK.

Does anyone know the part # for the pin, or is it just a standard 1/16" roll pin? I can't find it on Numrich or Midway.

OK, I think it's this one on Brownells:

940-000-173WB
Sear Spring Retainer Pin
Mfr Part: 067860000

Your best bet is probably a local hardware store.

I imagine all the single stack frames use the same one (this is 3913) and Brownells lists it as out of stock.
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-par...427-33881.aspx

Dave

The one I listed from Brownells says it fits the 4566 and the 4586. I have a 4556 and the frame width is identical to the CS45, so I think it will fit.

Sounds like you're right, bcr22.

I'd probably still look locally unless I had enough else to buy to justify shipping.

Dave

Good idea, I'll see what I can find this morning.

The pin is soft steel and does get bent from the factory as it is being installed over the ridge on the sear spring.
If you cannot find a S&W replacement, a cut off finish nail will work and you will need to bend it slightly as you guide it into the left grip frame rail.

John

Yes, it will work just fine. (CS45 and 4586 have the same pin P/N 067850000.)

John

Quite normal for the pin to have some curvature to it after being installed over that raised bump on the sear spring. It's really nothing to worry about. So long as the pin still fits snugly in the frame holes I'd run it right back in over top the new sear spring. It wouldn't hurt to straighten it a touch then align it so the inside of the bend is facing the sear spring. You want to be sure the spring is held snug against the frame with no discernible play and the the pin is snug in the frame such that it wont walk out.

Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46

Guys, I got it back together and it seems to be fine now. I'll probably take it out this weekend. Thanks to Bill and everybody else for all your help! I can't imagine if this had happened to me before the internet, I would have had to send it off to a gunsmith.

Glad to hear you got 'er back together. Time for a test drive eh?

Cheers
Bill

__________________
Because they don't make a .46