1903 32 help

[milton6x]

I am reassembling a S&W 1903 32 long ctg revolver (140657) and finding the hand does not always move forward to engage the ratchet . Pointing the barrel down sometimes helps . I had assumed , the depression in the side plate caused it to move in as it rises . But , I find no shiney rub marks . Could it be there is there a spring missing in the trigger assembly that is causing this trouble ? Thanks for any response ,

 

[DCWilson]

Yes, there is a hand spring and a hand lever. The lever is a bar across the top of the interior slot in the trigger; the spring is a vertically positioned coil spring under the short arm of the hand lever. For the hand to function properly, the secondary arm on the hand must be on the right side of the long arm of the hand lever. If the hand flops on the trigger when you are installing it, it is not mounted properly.

If I am thinking about this correctly, you will need to push down on the short arm of the lever to compress the coil spring underneath it, then insert the hand pin in the trigger with the hand leaning forward so the pin is properly engaged. Once you get it in position, the hand should spring back forward if you pull it to the rear.

 

[milton6x]

solved

Thank You David , That is what I wanted to know . I will be more cautious on my next assembly . Was in too big a hurry .

 

[H Richard]

"Assuming" that when it was disassembled, the hand was removed from the trigger. That is seldom necessary. What I find helps in the re-establishing the spring properly, is a small screwdriver blade, ground to the inside width of the trigger cavity. This can be inserted and used to compress the spring while re-inserting the hand pin. (Without that it is a three handed job.)

 

[Hondo44]

+1 David and H. Richard.

Yes always remove the hand and trigger together as an assembly. Even if you eventually need to separate them. You can separate while looking at the spring and that way refresh your understanding of the relationship of the two parts and the spring. And of course always assemble before installing the hand/trigger into the frame.