Sear spring in J frames

[dawg hair]

I'm new to this wire and this is my first post, so forgive me if this has been asked before. How do you install the sear spring in a J frame? Does it take a special tool/jig? This is specifically for a Model 642.
Thank you all.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I think all you need is a screwdriver. There might be a pin to remove, not sure on the little J.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

500MN is right..
There's a small pin in the hammer that holds the sear & a small spring underneath, Same as K/L/N frames..
"What makes you think the sear spring needs replaceing?"
Is the action "Too Stiff"??
Good Luck!!
Gary/Hk

 

[dawg hair]

The spring is missing. I had taken the side plate off in order to clean the gun after firing about 45 rds of reloads and 10 +p's. It was filthy inside. I was working the action while spraying it with cleaner when the sear spring popped off. I got a new spring from Brownells but can't figure out how to re-install it without damaging the spring. It almost looks like it requires a special tiny jig to re-install it. Thanks for the replies.

 

[38-44HD45]

Is this a late-model 642 with the MIM parts and no sear pin, or is the sear attached to the hammer with a pin? If it's the former, you just need to take the hammer and sear out, put in the spring, and reassemble. To remove the hammer, you need to draw it back enough to put a paper clip or small pin into the mainspring strut to hold the mainspring in place first.

If it's the latter, I can't figure out how your spring escaped, but you need to remove the hammer, drive out the sear pin (not all the way, just enough to clear the sear) put the spring in its seat in the hammer, use the pin punch as a slave pin to hold the sear and spring in place, and drive the sear pin back in flush. Then, just reassemble the hammer into the gun.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I almost think from reading his reply twice that "Maybe" The rebound slide came off & that spring launched??
"BEWARE" The pin that the rebound slide & spring rests on is Aluminum on the Airweights & realy needs the support of the sideplate to function test, If this pin breaks off It'll be taking a trip to S&W..
We need to send this guy to the pics in the FAQs..
BTW WELCOME to the Forum dawg hair..
Hopefully you'll have it running in no time..

Is the spring your refering to in the hammer or inside the rebound slide?
Gary/Hk

 

[38-44HD45]

You know, HK, I think you're likely right. In fact, what would make the OP make the most sense would be the worst-case scenario of a sheared-off rebound spring pin.

Dawg hair, do as Headknocker suggests, and go to the FAQ.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Here's a pic I barrowed from 500 Magnum Nuts Post in the FAQs that shows a K/L/N/X frame??
The J Frames have a coiled type of "Mainspring" & are different but the main workings are the same..
I bitmaped the image & drew in aproximately were the "Sear Spring" - "Rebound Spring" - "Rebound Springs Pin" are in red..
It was the best I could do in a few minutes..
Let us all know..
Gary/Hk

 

[dawg hair]

38-44HD45, the gun is a later model. I assume it's the MIM parts. The sear is not attached to the hammer in any way. it fits in a "pocket" of the hammer which allows the sear to swing forward from the bottom. The spring fits in a small hole in the side of sear that faces to the rear and in a small slot in the front of the hammer. When the sear is in place the spring keeps it tensioned forward at the bottom part so that it can engage the trigger. The problem is that the distance between the sear and the main part of the hammer is less than a 1/16th of an inch while the coil spring itself is almost 1/2 inch long. Am I making sense?

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Sear springs are different. What dash # gun you have? Is it a 642 no dash or dash 642-1?
642-1 has the MIM parts.
There is no pin on the MIM guns so if you ordered the correct spring, it has to be placed back inside. There is a hole on the sear side and a hole on the hammer side where the sear spring fits into. Place the spring inside the sear, then slip the sear/spring back onto the hammer. Use a screwdriver or a credit card to compress the spring until you get the sear aligned. This spring is small!

Scanned MIM hammer...

 

[38-44HD45]

38-44HD45, the gun is a later model. I assume it's the MIM parts. The sear is not attached to the hammer in any way. it fits in a "pocket" of the hammer which allows the sear to swing forward from the bottom. The spring fits in a small hole in the side of sear that faces to the rear and in a small slot in the front of the hammer. When the sear is in place the spring keeps it tensioned forward at the bottom part so that it can engage the trigger. The problem is that the distance between the sear and the main part of the hammer is less than a 1/16th of an inch while the coil spring itself is almost 1/2 inch long. Am I making sense?

Yes, you are making sense, and I think 500 has given you the advice you need. The jigsaw puzzle nature of the new MIM mechanisms, both as to the sears like yours and the rebound lever and hand spring where they fit in the trigger, drive me nuts. I suppose I'll get used to them after I work on a few dozen more. The REALLY happy news is that it is indeed the sear spring, and not an escaped rebound slide spring due to a broken pin!

 

[dawg hair]

500 Magnum Nut,

That is exactly what I've got. The problem is compressing the spring into the hole of the sear enough so that it clears the gap between the sear and the hammer so that the sear can then be inserted in the slot in the hammer and do it without bending the spring out of shape or having it fly out into spring heaven. Like you said, the spring is very small and I seem to need a third (very small) hand. Thanks for the picture.

 

[tomcatt51]

Are you sure you got the correct spring? The springs for the MIM and pinned sears are different.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I don't know what the heck I'm talking about, and I've never worked on a newer S&W, but would a thin jeweler's screwdriver hold the spring in while inserting the sear?

 

[tomcatt51]

would a thin jeweler's screwdriver hold the spring in while inserting the sear?

That's what I use.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Remove the hammer and place it in a vise. If your afraid of loosing the spring, work inside a large plastic bag (if you launch it there is a good chance of recovering it).

If your all thumbs, another idea is to put scotch tape around the spring/sear then put it on the hammer. Once positioned work the tape away??

MIM parts are fun!

 

[dawg hair]

500,
This is a 642-2. The hammer/sear is exactly like the one in your picture. The spring I received from Numrich seems to be the correct width but too long and I can't get it in place without bending/distorting it. I've e-mailed Brownells and asked for info on a "Hammer Assembly, Blue" which is advertised in their catalog but have not received an answer. Would this "Hammer Assembly" include the hammer, the sear and the spring installed? By the way, what exactly is a MIM part? Thanks everyone.

Dawg

 

[TippyRacer]

Just out of curiosity, did you try calling the Smith & Wesson Parts Department? Wondering why you tried Numrich and Brownells first.

And MIM = Metal Injection Molding. It's just a different way of a metal forming process, instead of machining.

 

[tomcatt51]

500,
Would this "Hammer Assembly" include the hammer, the sear and the spring installed? Dawg

Yes. S&W part # for the spring is 215770000.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Tom is correct,
50 215770000 $0.51 -1 SEAR SPRING

order a few uncase you lose one.