So I've become that guy. The guy I said I would never become. The guy with a bag full of loose parts that used to be a gun. It all started when I noticed my 642 wasn't advancing the cylinder when I was dry firing it. This was after I had done what I thought was a successful install of an Apex spring kit and replacing the IL with "The Plug" a couple months earlier. As an aside, this meant that my carry gun was actually a single shot all that time!

I open her up and figure out that the hand isn't engaging properly because the hand torsion spring isn't tensioning it properly. Once I figured out that I did not have the necessary dexterity, tools, or workspace to get the job done I decided to put it all back and seek professional help. Of course, that's when disaster struck. I launched the sear spring somewhere in my basement likely never to be seen again.

My question is do I take my collection of loose parts to a local 'smith or send it back to S&W and have them reassemble it? My guess is that the IL will reappear and it's possible that the Apex springs will disappear. Any suggestions?

Sheepishly yours,

pmacb

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pmacb
NRA-USPSA-ICORE-NROI

Send it back so you will have confidence that it actually works since it is most likely for self-defense. Once you get it back, LEAVE IT ALONE. The springs and internals put there by S&W are there for a reason. LEAVE IT ALONE. Reliability is more important than a very slightly lighter action that brings in unreliability. LEAVE IT ALONE.

Considering that some people call themselves gunsmiths these days and really aren't, I would counsel you on sending it to Smith&Wesson, sans the aftermarket spring kit.

Expect to pay for your mistake, as well.

Considering that some people call themselves gunsmiths these days and really aren't, I would counsel you on sending it to Smith&Wesson, sans the aftermarket spring kit.

Expect to pay for your mistake, as well. Don't come up with some fabrication. Just own up to what happened.

Thanks for the reminders, but I've learned my lesson. There's no way I'm going to touch this hot stove again. Time to call Springfield...

pmacb

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pmacb
NRA-USPSA-ICORE-NROI

I'm not sure what springs you may/may not have replaced. Briefly, the only spring that you can change in a coil spring J frame and not reduce reliability is the trigger return/rebound spring. Depending upon what strength of spring is installed, this may/may not reduce reliability. Remember that a smooth trigger stroke is much more important than the weight of the trigger stroke and reliability trumps the weight of the trigger stroke. Shawn gives excellent advice here.

It is not necessary to remove any other part than the rebound slide to replace the rebound/trigger return spring. If you're correctly identifying the lost sear spring (the spring that powers the double action sear on the hammer), you're definately removing way too many parts.

I've never worked on a piece with the IL and it's been too long since I've had a J frame sideplate off to remember if the hammer can be removed without removing the trigger. There was certainly no reason to remove the hand from the trigger, which would have caused the hand spring issue.

If you want to keep the springs and the plug, remove them before returning the piece to Springfield.

BTW, don't feel too bad, the worst bag/box job I ever had was an LC Smith shotgun with every removable part removed "to clean it". Much to my surprise, they actually had all the parts (damn good thing, LC Smith had been out of business about 30 years by that time.) It was a very educational experience for all concerned.

Replaying the whole project in my mind I went too deep in taking things out to do the Plug install and fat fingered the hand and its spring by taking the hand out by itself, rather than lifting it and the trigger together as an assembly. Losing the sear spring was pure clumsiness. Amazing how simple it all looked on YouTube...

I've taken the Apex springs and the Plug out and will decide about them once I get the gun back (I'm 99.9% sure they'll just go in the "Hall of Shame" box where they'll stay forever).

pmacb

__________________
pmacb
NRA-USPSA-ICORE-NROI

Hi:
Perhaps a forum member lives within driving distances of you that would be willing to re-assembly your revolver before you return it to S&W ?
You might try turning all the room lights off, and using a strong flashlight beam try to find the missing part. This is where a wife's
strong eyesight can be very helpful.
Penny has found gun parts for me that I have "LOST" many, many times. Once in a hay barn !

A hefty magnet with a 3 foot handle on it is also helpful. I've never regretted what I payed for mine-although I sure did at the time.

I've gone crazy over magnets myself--parts holders, big one for going over the floor, small one for getting parts out of jars of solvent, and a magnetic socket holder that I can label and drop screws in. As god is my witness, I'll never lose a screw again.

6" Magnetic Parts Holder

MSD382G 3/8" DRIVE Shallow & Deep Magnetic Socket Holder

Master Magnetics Magnetic Mini-Sweeper — Model# NT07263 | Magnets| Northern Tool + Equipment

I have twice taken a bag of parts to my local gunsmith. I felt no shame and forked over the money to have them put back together. The first, was my first S&W revolver, which I could not reinstall the rebound spring. The second was a colt DA revolver. I've since disassembled and reassembled dozens of S&Ws, but I've never again done so with a colt DA, and won't have one in the collection because of that.

So after 99 days at the factory and $77 dollars out of pocket my 642's back with all of its internals back inside where they belong.


pmacb

__________________
pmacb
NRA-USPSA-ICORE-NROI

Good deal! You weren't out too much money.
Ed

pmacb:

I'm glad things worked out. Don't be too hard on yourself - how else are you supposed to learn anything? Back when I was in the Army, we needed new batteries for one of our field radios. Everyone was afraid of the Commo (Communications) sergeant because he was a Ranger, and had a RECONDO (Reconnaissance and Demolition) patch from Viet Nam. He was reported to be a very bad man with no patience for fools. Guess what fool had to go ask him for a new battery for the radio? Guess what fool through his own stupidity managed to ruin not one, not two, but three brand new radio batteries in a row, and had to approach the same Commo sergeant for a replacement? When I approached him for the fourth straight time, I was sure I was going to be a dead man. I started off by apologizing to the sergeant for being an idiot, and for wasting his batteries and his time. He then told me that he only had one battery left. He then really surprised me by asking if I wanted him to show him how to properly install the battery in the radio? Sure, Sergeant, that would be great! He quickly installed the battery for me, and then asked if I could install a new battery in the radio in the future. When I said "Yes", he said: "Well, then this day hasn't been a waste, has it?" Same thing here, no one was hurt, and the day wasn't wasted, was it?

By the way, thank you for your service as a peace officer.

Regards,

Dave

That'll teach ya, next time make up a good story, its been a long time since I had a Smith apart, and my Colt Combat Commander was "interesting", but good gunsmiths are always in short supply. LOL billy

For what its worth the last person to work on my AR was a very attractive young lady at the Hill Top Gun Shop, in Colona, she was faster than Forrest Gump, and it all worked, NO CHARGE, they are a fine crew and just nice people. billy

"a very attractive young lady at the Hill Top Gun Shop, in Colona, she was faster than Forrest Gump,"

Trust me when I say they don't grow those in Texas. Most all the smith's I have come across were passengers on the Mayflower and most have the disposition an agitated rattle snake. Not that they aren't great smith's, cause they are, just not what you found. LOL

hardcase60