How upset should I be with these tooling marks?

C

ClickCL

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2015
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Hey guys,

So, I live in California, and I wanted to purchase a 586 L-Comp, but it's not on the roaster. So I imported it via the Single Action Exemption. To do so, I ordered through an FFL dealer who said he has done many of these conversion before, which basically involves opening the gun up and removing the double action trigger catch. (not sure of the proper part title)

At least thats what you're supposed to do.

Instead he removed the cylinder claw which rotates the cylinder...
I opened the gun up today to restore it to SA/DA and figured out what he did and noticed some tooling marks. Clearly done by whoever tried to do the conversion...

I don't think it's very important to the function of the gun, but it is upsetting to purchase a brand new performance center gun and already have the internals negatively altered. I guess lesson learned...

I do have a technical question on top of this. I need to figure out the proper way to assemble the trigger and cylinder claw back together with that spring. Can't seem to figure it out.

Check Out the Photos. Link Bellow. Thanks guys

https://goo.gl/photos/mC2uS2jvLhNiuLHG6
 
Register to hide this ad
Haha I'm not super distraught about it, but I am a little shocked that any competent gunsmith would make such a gouge and scratch. And I would have to say.. If it was your money and you spent a grand on it, you'd be scratching your head wondering what he was thinking.

The real issue I have is I don't know the proper way to assemble that cylinder claw back into the trigger. Any help would be great appreciated. Thanks for the reply...
 
That scratch on the recoil shield would bother me more. I guess you haven't taken the sideplate off S&W machined in the 30's, 40's or even 50's
 
My condolances. That fellow is what we used to refer to as "a ballpeen hammer mechanic". I don't see anything that will affect performance, but that scratch on the back of the recoil shield was totally unnecessary. That spring holds the cylinder hand towards the front of the gun. Look down into the recess of the trigger and figure out which way you will have to push the upper end piece of the spring while you are also inserting the hand back into the trigger hole. I use a very small screwdriver to push that end piece into compression and to hold it there while pushing in the hand. Takes concentration and I don't always get it the first time around. So, just keep playing with it. Make sure that you have good light and are working over a nice clean white towel. That way you will be able to find the spring every time you drop it. Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, "The S&W Revolvers--A Shop Manual (5th Edition) on page 71 has a very good drawing of the relationship of the spring to trigger and to hand. ..........
 
Haha no I haven't =)

And I know, that was included with my frustrations. Not even sure what he was doing to cause that...

This is my First S&W, and thats why I was curious what you guys would say. It doesn't effect anything internally, so I really don't care.

Any schematics, photos, or words of wisdom which could help me reassemble that claw would be very much appreciated! I know it is probably very basic, just don't know what you don't know. Thanks
 
Big Cholla said:
My condolances. That fellow is what we used to refer to as "a ballpeen hammer mechanic". I don't see anything that will affect performance, but that scratch on the back of the recoil shield was totally unnecessary. That spring holds the cylinder hand towards the front of the gun. Look down into the recess of the trigger and figure out which way you will have to push the upper end piece of the spring while you are also inserting the hand back into the trigger hole. I use a very small screwdriver to push that end piece into compression and to hold it there while pushing in the hand. Takes concentration and I don't always get it the first time around. So, just keep playing with it. Make sure that you have good light and are working over a nice clean white towel. That way you will be able to find the spring every time you drop it. Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, "The S&W Revolvers--A Shop Manual (5th Edition) on page 71 has a very good drawing of the relationship of the spring to trigger and to hand. ..........
Click to expand...

Thank you so much! Appreciate it!
 
So the dealer, in converting it from double action to single action only, removed the hand instead of the double action sear and made it a no action?

Wow.

As for the marks, presume you're referring to 1) the gouge next to the frame window; 2) the scratch next to it along the back of the blast shield; and 3) the circular "swirl" tool marks inside the frame?

The gouge is ugly and I agree likely put there by the individual who mistakenly removed the hand; looks like he was trying to remove the hand the "easy" way without having to remove any of the other internals to get to it, and was using a punch or pliers to pry it from the window and out.

The scratch is a classic idiot mark where I'm guessing the same individual gave up gouging for the hand, went ahead and removed the items needed to correctly remove it, and in lifting the trigger assembly out the spring loaded hand was allowed to snap forward and ride point first across the back of the blast shield (don't ask me how I know ;) ).

Neither is pretty, but neither will affect function. If this is a revolver to be used, it's going to pick up a little character along the way anyhow, this one just did a touch soon. I feel for your frustration.

The circular tool marks are classic S&W and you'll find them inside their revolvers through the ages, sometimes a little more pronounced, sometimes a little less. Provided there isn't a high spot anywhere significant enough to interfere with smooth lockwork function, you're good to go; if there is a high spot or two, it can gently be stoned or polished low, but don't endeavor to smooth things unless there's truly function interference, and then go slowly and make sure you know what you're doing -- the pivot pins have raised bosses that need to be that way and shouldn't be touched.

Did you get the hand spring figured out?

Hopefully so. Welcome to the forum. Go enjoy a fine revolver. ;)
 
well seeing that a "gunsmith" is willing to take apart a new revolver and remove a piece so you could get it shipped to a state where it's not allowed on a technicality . then you put the piece back in making it an illegally owned firearm in your state, I say you get what you get and be happy with it.
 
Roy P said:
well seeing that a "gunsmith" is willing to take apart a new revolver and remove a piece so you could get it shipped to a state where it's not allowed on a technicality . then you put the piece back in making it an illegally owned firearm in your state, I say you get what you get and be happy with it.
Click to expand...
Suggest you Google "single action exemption" before your finger's too sore from all that wagging. ;)
 
Hapworth said:
Suggest you Google "single action exemption" before your finger's too sore from all that wagging. ;)
Click to expand...

thought new york was bad. regardless it's the risk you take having someone open up a new pistol and modify it to pass the exemption. not all gunsmiths are the same.
 
I used the same FFL as you. I found out after the "conversion" that he removed the claw and not the DA sear as should be done with California SAE conversions. Luckily he left no marks such as yours. In any case you will love the 586L Comp!
 
We
Roy P said:
well seeing that a "gunsmith" is willing to take apart a new revolver and remove a piece so you could get it shipped to a state where it's not allowed on a technicality . then you put the piece back in making it an illegally owned firearm in your state, I say you get what you get and be happy with it.
Click to expand...
No wonder New York is close on California's heals with restrictions. He didn't break the law, he followed it. He can possess it as a double action, just can't import it as one. Dumb thing is he can import several nearly identical double actions no problem. Thing about technicalities is they work both ways and using one in your favor is every bit as legal as a prosecutor using one to charge someone. Anymore the "law" is all about technicalities, Lawyers specialize and do lots of research.
 
Last edited:
Think about it. The Second Amendment is 2 simple sentences. Yet, there are volumes filled with the "technicalities" and even the highest tanking judges in the country can't agree on what it means!:rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

AJR337
Would you be upset?
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
AlHunt
A
4
Just an old Combat Masterpiece
Replies
3
Views
318
Retired W4
Retired W4
chief38
A few more pictures of vintage and antique tools I still own and occasionally use
Replies
8
Views
736
chief38
chief38
F
S&W model 10-8 unknown caliber
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
1Celticfozzie
1Celticfozzie
C
Model 10-5 Davidsons, Prescott, AZ Marked
Replies
12
Views
1K
unrepentedsinner
U

Latest posts

Back
Top