Best Rebound Spring Tool

[Green Frog]

This discussion should probably be over in the Gunsmith Forurm, but pressing on... I've used commercially made tools from a couple of distributors, a custom-made one by revolversmith Fred Schmidt, and a #0 Phillips head Craftsman screw driver to deal with removing and replacing the rebound spring, but truth to tell (although I probably have more thumbs and fewer fingers than I should ) I've never noticed any particular need for any specific or special tool to do this task.

Froggie

i

I just got a like to this post so I thought I would update... I was recently doing a bit of smithing at our clubhouse and shot a rebound spring across the room while trying to manhandle it without any good tooling. I still haven’t found that @$#*&# spring! Maybe I’ll have to stick to using my Schmidt tool or the special bit from my screwdriver blade set.

Froggie

 

[HorizontalMike]

i
I just got a like to this post so I thought I would update... I was recently doing a bit of smithing at our clubhouse and shot a rebound spring across the room while trying to manhandle it without any good tooling. I still haven’t found that @$#*&# spring! Maybe I’ll have to stick to using my Schmidt tool or the special bit from my screwdriver blade set.
Froggie

And THAT is precisely why having the specific-made rebound spring tool, is a great idea.

Sure, one can always try to man-handle the task and get away with it,... most of the time. I too have been guilty as charged in the past as well. This tool just makes the task so much easier that, IMO, it is worth the cost.

My only regret is that the tool does not seem to work on my 642, with its larger pin, but my other larger Smiths are compatible. I may take some advice given above, and "make" one for my little J Frame. Looks easy enough to do...

 

[colt_saa]

I simply use a screwdriver, always have.

Perhaps I had trouble with my first few, but that was 40 years and many thousands of revolvers ago

These days it is zero trouble . . . . in or out

 

[kbm6893]

After being frustrated with fragile "pickle forks" and lost parts I tried the "Smithmaster". This is far and away the best tool available for removing and reinstalling rebound springs in Smith and Wesson revolvers...
SmithMaster? - trigger spring tool for S&W® Revolvers. | Welcome to Gunsmither? Tools | Myself

I took down a S&W revolver for the first time recently. I watched a bunch of videos with people using homemade tools. Then I saw one for the Smithmaster. I bought it and love it. Rebound slide went in first try in about 2 seconds.

 

[zephyr]

I've done it with everything listed here and can get the job done with all. But for me the easiest is with the Smithmaster tool.

 

[Jcon72]

I'm reading this old thread after spending WAY too much time a couple of nights ago trying to reinstall the rebound spring on my 29-3. Not to mention trying to get that stupid spring for hand back in place! Gonna make my own tool.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

TOOLS

Looks good but after trying Brownells version several decades ago, which was ****, I decided to make my own. Has served me well for over 40 years and will be around somewhere long after I am gone. This little gem has never failed me. Piece of brass and drill rod did the trick.

 

[Kurusu]

Have always used a flat tip watchmaker screw driver. It never failed me.

 

[HorizontalMike]

Yeah well,... when the eyesight starts to go as we age,... and we STILL flip/launch those GD rebound springs into space, I prefer a little bit more of sanity.

I can no longer "...get all those cattle to self-insert their own heads/necks into my noose for an easy rope-in', aka round-up..." Screw all the details! I now DO KNOW that I need help picking up a dang toothpick!

Your mileage may vary, HOWEVER, that "sandy" bee-ahtch that I fantasize about, in paradise,... does make it as bit more difficult in the long run to think about how it all ends...

Gettin' old ain't no fun, 'specially when those fingers/digits start quitin' on ya'... If your old enough, you understand, if not then just wait... You're next... As for me, I'll take the new-fangled special device for old hands...

 

[Engieman]

I actually have only used popsicle sticks. Yes, I'm cheap, but seriously.... I grab a stick, pull out the pocket knife and quickly carve the appropriate design. Been doing it for decades now, and has the added bonus of removing the ice cream, orange sicle, etc. in order to have the sticks on hand.
Quick tip - I've always found it easier to remove the ice cream before carving/using the stick. Otherwise your ear is laying somewhere parallel to the muzzle or cylinder, and you risk dripping into the mechanism when it is hot in the shop.

 

[jag312]

Many, many years ago, a gunsmith showed me how to make a tool from a screwdriver. I still have it, and it is still easy to use.

 

[RMFnLA]

One more who uses a screwdriver; no problems for over 40 years.

 

[cmj8591]

If you need anything more than a flat bladed screw driver and a shop rag you probably shouldn't be taking the side plate off of your gun.

 

[Green Frog]

Yeah well,... when the eyesight starts to go as we age,... and we STILL flip/launch those GD rebound springs into space, I prefer a little bit more of sanity.

I can no longer "...get all those cattle to self-insert their own heads/necks into my noose for an easy rope-in', aka round-up..." Screw all the details! I now DO KNOW that I need help picking up a dang toothpick!

Your mileage may vary, HOWEVER, that "sandy" bee-ahtch that I fantasize about, in paradise,... does make it as bit more difficult in the long run to think about how it all ends...

Gettin' old ain't no fun, 'specially when those fingers/digits start quitin' on ya'... If your old enough, you understand, if not then just wait... You're next... As for me, I'll take the new-fangled special device for old hands...

^^^This (but I wasn't going to admit it!! ) ^^^

 

[Jcon72]

If you need anything more than a flat bladed screw driver and a shop rag you probably shouldn't be taking the side plate off of your gun.

I did it with a flat screwdriver, but it was not at all enjoyable and in fact downright frustrating.
Your uncalled-for superior attitude is duly noted, however.

 

[cmj8591]

I did it with a flat screwdriver, but it was not at all enjoyable and in fact downright frustrating.
Your uncalled-for superior attitude is duly noted, however.

Showing a "superior attitude" was not the intent of my tone. I too had to learn how to remove a rebound spring and it took a few tries just like it does for just about everyone else. My point is that there are very few special tools needed for working on a revolver and looking for just the right special tool for this task is just over thinking it. I have also tried many of these gimmicks and found them all lacking. There are more than one of them sitting at the bottom of my tool chest taking up space. My comment about removing the side plate is aimed at those who do not want to make the commitment to properly learn how to work on these guns, thinking that they can replace experience and knowledge with some kind of "special tool". Those people really shouldn't be taking their guns apart. Sorry if I offended anyone. That was certainly not my intent.

 

[stu1ritter]

If you need anything more than a flat bladed screw driver and a shop rag you probably shouldn't be taking the side plate off of your gun.

I started working on guns as an Army division small arms repairman at the age of 17 (I'm 76 now). I spent 30 years as a Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Professionals in any mechanical field use "special tools" when they are available. The professional does the job all day long and doesn't have the time or inclination to not use a special tool if it is available, either making it or buying it. Amateurs do what they will!

Stu

 

[lefty_jake]

One helpful tip I have found for installing the rebound spring is to find something solid to brace the gun against. If there is a solid wall on the right side of your workbench, you can brace the muzzle against it. This way, you are pressing the spring against a solid object instead of fighting the spring pressure in both directions.

I have considered shaping a wooden block so that I could clamp it to my workbench and then brace the front of the frame against it to support the spring pressure. This method would provide support sort of like a third hand. But so far I have not found this to be necessary.

As far as tools, I use a large flat tip screwdriver. The screwdriver should be large enough that only one corner goes into the opening of the spring. The screwdriver should not be too sharp, since my finger goes over the other corner. I got this method from one of Jerry Michulek's videos, and it works well. Note that I have seem him use other tools and methods in other videos, so there are certainly other ways to do it.

I have tried at least tool designed for this job, but I found that the large flat screwdriver method worked better for me.

 

[Jcon72]

Showing a "superior attitude" was not the intent of my tone. I too had to learn how to remove a rebound spring and it took a few tries just like it does for just about everyone else. My point is that there are very few special tools needed for working on a revolver and looking for just the right special tool for this task is just over thinking it. I have also tried many of these gimmicks and found them all lacking. There are more than one of them sitting at the bottom of my tool chest taking up space. My comment about removing the side plate is aimed at those who do not want to make the commitment to properly learn how to work on these guns, thinking that they can replace experience and knowledge with some kind of "special tool". Those people really shouldn't be taking their guns apart. Sorry if I offended anyone. That was certainly not my intent.

My apology for overreacting. I've dealt with so many morons in online forums that it's easy to take decent folks' comments out of their intended context.
I agree that there are lots of gimmicks out there, and most likely if I would do this specific task more often it would become a lot more easy. It sure had me aggravated the other night, though.

 

[Jcon72]

I just now watched Jerry Miculek do it on YouTube and his method appears to work incredibly well. Next time that's what I'll try.