New Model 3 Frontier - Cylinder Stop Spring Replacement

[btvarner]

Hi All,
I have a S&W New Model No. 3 Frontier pistol. The cylinder stop did not accurately & consistently lock the cylinder at each cocking of the hammer.
I have worked on pistols my whole life. I am not afraid of the necessary effort. Having said that, I would obviously like to resolve my issues using the easiest & quickest method possible. While still maintaining proper gun safety.
Disassembling the pistol revealed that the cylinder stop is in fact fine (Not worn). The flat cylinder stop spring however, located in the trigger guard, is worn out. The slightest movement caused that spring to give way at the bend. I know I can make a new one, but would like to avoid the hardening & tempering necessary for that approach. I also know I could send the gun off to someone & have then repair. I do not wish to do that.
So, I need a new/different spring. Now my questions:

1) Would a replacement cylinder stop spring from say Uberti for their top break reproduction revolvers serve as a replacement? Uberti calls this spring a "bolt spring". I understand that it likely would require modification. But will it work? Does Uberti even sell parts?

2) If the above option is not possible, does anyone familiar with the New Model 3 know which spring would be the most likely candidate to modify for my purposes? Say a flat spring from Brownell's made for another gun purpose?

Thanks!

 

[BMur]

Bolt Spring

Welcome to the forum,

I'm not sure about a Uberti spring functioning in the Antique Smith & Wesson. They do sell parts. Other companies also sell parts for their reproductions. I have used them before but not for this spring. Although I don't see why it wouldn't work.

The bolt spring is a pretty simple spring and very small. It serves only one purpose. To apply pressure to the bolt when released by the trigger to lock the cylinder. I have used a small coil spring to aid an original weak spring. You could do that.

Re-tempering the spring is pretty easy also. That's assuming it's not cracked? Many have a hairline crack and they are basically toast.

The main thing is that the bolt is in good shape and moves up and down easily. Often they are also worn and need cleaning in order to move easily in the machined galley. Any resistance will damage the spring. That is usually the root cause of spring breakage. "Corrosion".

Murph

 

[btvarner]

Thanks BMur! I have ordered a coupled of the Uberti springs. Will see what happens.

I originally thought about a small coil spring also to support the original, but the spring is now cracked all the way through. Being held on only in the slightest sense.

Bolt / cylinder stop is clean & moves freely. I just stripped & cleaned the gun. It is obvious that the pistol has been disassembled before, but the hammer/trigger-sear surfaces seem untouched.

I have owned this pistol myself for over 40 years. Knew the gentlemen that owned it before, & have been familiar with it for 15 years prior to that. So the previous disassembly was at least 55 years ago.

I will post history & details of this New Model No. 3 pistol in another post in the future. Want to resolve the broken spring problem first.

I saw the pistol fired a coupled of times by the previous owner. I also fired it once myself after I acquired it. Other than that it has only been oiled & displayed. Just recently when I handled the gun, did it start displaying the failure to lock the cylinder. Time apparently caught up with the spring.................

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! You might check with Jack First Gun Parts – Jack First Inc. to see if they make a replacement.

 

[iby]

Smith and Wesson Revolver Parts ???
How about a pic?

 

[btvarner]

Sorry, it sure seems like it takes several hours to a day for my posts to be displayed...........

Here is an image. As I stated earlier, I will be provides several images and details about the pistol once I get the cylinder spring issue resolved. thanks!

 

[iby]

most excellent

 

[btvarner]

Ok, one my biggest pet peeves is threads that the original poster leaves all or partially unresolved. For that reason, here is an update……..

Still waiting on the cylinder lock springs from Ubeti. The sole US Uberti parts retailer (& where I purchased their spring) is “VTIgunparts.com/” for $5.00ea + shipping.

“jack-first-gun-parts.myshopify.com/” did not, and likely would not later have the needed part available……………………..

“partsforantiqueguns.com/” stated that they are no longer making ANY parts for S&W weapons. He did refer me to another individual who does such work, Larry Smith.

Larry Smith in Florida #941 776 2109 has made such items for over 40 years. No computers, no PayPal. Delivery & payment with him is strictly through the mail. He charges $35 per hour for his work. The cylinder lock spring I require would be between $35-$50. He has several New Model No. 3 pistols & hand fits the spring before sending it out. I ordered one.

I know it sounds crazy to order more instances of the part then I require, but I am sure I can either re-sell what I do not use, or keep them for the future. The additional benefit is that I will report back on this thread which item was drop in & which required further fitting. May help someone else down the line.

More to come…………………….

 

[iby]

I always order 2
one to break and one to do the job.(hopefully)
P.S. Thanks for the update

 

[Kinman]

Welcome to the forum, Beautiful No. 3...I assume it is in 44/40. Well worth the effort to get it up and shooting.

 

[btvarner]

44 Russian. Japanese contract gun.

 

[lihpster]

That is a gorgeous revolver! Will be watching to see how the spring goes. Thanks for sharing. This is fun!

 

[btvarner]

Solved:

A final update on my cylinder stop spring issues. All resolved, I now again have a correctly functioning spring and the revolver again has perfect timing.

The Uberti springs I ordered have never come in. I received notification (and payment return) from VTI. They stated that the springs were not in stock and they had no idea when/if they would again be in stock. They did promise to notify me when this occurred. So, I still do not know if their springs would easily fit and function in an original New Model No. 3.

I received a spring from Larry Smith. He stated it was an original NOS spring from S&W. He also stated that he did have to do some slight fitting of the cylinder stop spring in one of his examples to achieve a perfect fit. Total for the spring, $62. He also said it was the last original spring he had, so the next one would have to be made from scratch.

When I receive the spring, fitting took only a second and the mechanism immediately worked smoothly and correctly. Below is an image of the old and new spring.

Also, for those interested, I have created a separate thread describing my New Model No. 3 Frontier example in some detail. That thread is located here:
A Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier Pistol

I have also created webpages that goes into much more detail about this revolver. An overview, detailed breakdown, and cylinder stop spring replacement. Those websites are here:
A Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier Pistol
A Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier Pistol

Thanks to all who helped guide me with my problem! Bruce