J frame sideplate removal

[davis297]

I'm thinking of installing an APEX spring kit in my 442. I have a couple questions though.

What's the correct size screwdriver bits for the J frame sideplate screws? Are they the same size as K/L/N?

What's the best tool for removing/installing the rebound spring on the J frame? I've read of problems with the Brownells tool.

thanks

 

[H Richard]

The side-plate screws are generally all the same size, "except" that they do vary from time frame to different time frame. Try the tips to see if they "fit" properly in the slot before using them. The "special tool" needed to help remove the mainspring as described in the Kunhausen manual is a Paper Clip. I have found that the little larger size one works best for me. Straighten out the end and after cocking the hammer, insert the end of the paper clip in the hole in the mainspring stirrup. Then uncock the hammer and it will just about fall out.

 

[Pisgah]

H Richard is right when it comes to mainspring removal. But that's not the rebound slide spring.

I've never used the Brownell's tool, but I have always done fine with a small flat-blade screwdriver. It can be a bit tricky either way, and that spring can always take flight and disappear if you are not careful, no matter what tool you use.

 

[Alk8944]

The side-plate screws are generally all the same size, "except" that they do vary from time frame to different time frame. Try the tips to see if they "fit" properly in the slot before using them. The "special tool" needed to help remove the mainspring as described in the Kunhausen manual is a Paper Clip. I have found that the little larger size one works best for me. Straighten out the end and after cocking the hammer, insert the end of the paper clip in the hole in the mainspring stirrup. Then uncock the hammer and it will just about fall out.

This is not correct. All S&W sideplate screws are 5-44 in any size hand-ejector frame. What does vary is the width of the screwdriver slot.


The correct size screwdriver is a parellel sided or hollow ground bit that fits the slot and is enough narrower than the diameter of the screw head to assure the screw head counterbore is not damaged.

 

[cyberiad]

I installed an Apex kit in my 442 a month ago. The slotted end of the rebound slide tool is too large to fit in to the end of the spring so I ended up using a small flat blade screwdriver. This worked well because the Apex spring requires less force to compress than the factory spring.

The kit made a huge positive difference in the trigger pull in my 442.

 

[PH-2]

cyberiad,

Regarding the tool, I have also used an appropriate screwdriver blade for that evolution, but I "squoze" the tool's tines together a skosh to get them into the recess of the rebound slide. That made life much easier!

Mike

 

[chief38]

I have owned a complete set of (gunsmithng) hollow ground screwdriver bits from Brownells for many years now. I also own and use the grinding stone that they sell to grind my own bits because once in a while, no matter how many bits you have, you do not have the right one. If you do enough gun smithing, eventually you will break one right in the middle of a job, so this way I can repair, refresh, or custom make another bit 1,2,3!

The Brownells tool for removing & replacing the rebound spring has always worked very well for me. No complaints about it.

Chief38

 

[fonejack54]

I heard a lot of complaints about using a flathead screwdriver for the rebound spring so I used a philips that just fit inside the spring housing. The slot in the philips allows you to turn the screwdriver up and over the holding pin and makes the job relatively easy and less dangerous to the hands. Good luck.