Rebound Trigger Spring Tools

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Emop

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Does anyone have any particular likes or dislikes about the traditional double bend forked Brownell's S&W Rebound Spring Tool or the double ended Gunsmither Smithmaster Rebound Tool



I know that a simple screwdriver works but unless you've done it many times, my guess is one of these two specialty tools would make the job easier, especially for a novice.
They are not inexpensive but might be worth the extra money if it means less frustration and not replacing lost springs?
I'm just wondering if anyone uses either of these tools and is impressed with the way they work?
Thanks for the help!
 
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While my "double bend forked" Brownell's tool is slightly more convenient to use than my simple home made ones, if a home made one was under my nose I would not reach across the table to pick up my Brownell's.

File shoulders on a small flat head screw driver so that the center will enter the spring and the shoulders will enter the rebound slide. The rear of the rebound slide is easily raised only enough to insert the modified screw driver into the spring before lifting the bottom of the spring clear of the frame stud. During reassembly I catch the bottom of the spring on the stud, withdraw my tool, then push the unit down with a finger. I've not lost control of the spring in over 40 years of using my modified flat head. I filed a second one out of one of the interchangeable bits I store in the handle of my range bag ratcheting screw driver.

If the expense of buying a tool is significant in your budget then I'd put off buying one until the cost of the big boys' clever little gadgets is irrelevant. Spending the money on an RCBS bullet casting dipper will bring you a lot more shooting enjoyment.
 
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Thanks for the post k22fan. Good information!

I searched for this topic on the forum before starting this thread without much success. A few hours later (just now) I found a one from January last year that was chock full of interesting posts...
Trigger Rebound Spring Tool Necessary?
Check it out. It's a good thread.
I didn't mean to repeat the subject and and wonder if there's much new in the way of improving on the topic.
Thanks
 
I make them out of the cheap give-a-way screwdrivers you get from harbor Freight. Believe it or not, I've never bought any tools from them, but sometimes friends who go there get them for free and ask me to make them into this tool. I make one for them and they give me the other 5 which I've made gun tools out of - basically they're not much good for screws as they are cheap junk and will not hold up, however they do fashion into usable spring tools. I've also turned a few into assorted Picks, Awls, etc.

Takes about 10 - 15 minutes to make them with a Bernz-a-matic Torch, a pair of Pliers and a Dremel. :)
 
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chief38 said:
I make them out of the cheap give-a-way screwdrivers you get from harbor Freight. Believe it or not, I've never bought any tools from them, but sometimes friends who go there get them for free and ask me to make them into this tool. I make one for them and they give me the other 5 which I've made gun tools out of - basically they're not much good for screws as they are cheap junk and will not hold up, however they do fashion into usable spring tools. I've also turned a few into assorted Picks, Awls, etc.

Takes about 10 - 15 minutes to make them with a Bernz-a-matic Torch, a pair of Pliers and a Dremel. :)
Click to expand...


Who doesn't have some cheapy screwdrivers laying around? Then all you need is a dremel or hacksaw to cut a slot, and voila, a factory rebound spring tool.

It honestly does take about 10mins and it don't need to look pretty either. I should start making these with all the cheap screwdrivers I have and sell them on ebay for $5-$8 plus shipping. People would be saving about 50%.

The only real one I would consider buying would be the one that fits magna-tip handles, they used to be about $5 but think they are discontinued. But that is only because of storing space convenience.
 
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iPac said:
Who doesn't have some cheapy screwdrivers laying around? Then all you need is a dremel or hacksaw to cut a slot, and voila, a factory rebound spring tool.

It honestly does take about 10mins and it don't need to look pretty either. I should start making these with all the cheap screwdrivers I have and sell them on ebay for $5-$8 plus shipping. People would be saving about 50%.

The only real one I would consider buying would be the one that fits magna-tip handles, they used to be about $5 but think they are discontinued. But that is only because of storing space convenience.
Click to expand...

I've found for reinstalling the rebound spring a Phillips head screw driver works great. You need to shop around and find one just slightly larger than the spring. It lets you compress the spring enough to get it past the pin, and you can use one of the groves cut in the screwdriver to lower the spring enough so it catches on the pin, then while holding that position, push the spring the rest of the way on with a small flat blade screw driver. Took me a lot longer to write this than to actually do one. :D
 
Tom S. said:
I've found for reinstalling the rebound spring a Phillips head screw driver works great. You need to shop around and find one just slightly larger than the spring. It lets you compress the spring enough to get it past the pin, and you can use one of the groves cut in the screwdriver to lower the spring enough so it catches on the pin, then while holding that position, push the spring the rest of the way on with a small flat blade screw driver. Took me a lot longer to write this than to actually do one. :D
Click to expand...

Exactly how I was taught at the factory armorers school and have done so since.
 
chief38 said:
I make them out of the cheap give-a-way screwdrivers you get from harbor Freight. Believe it or not, I've never bought any tools from them, but sometimes friends who go there get them for free and ask me to make them into this tool. I make one for them and they give me the other 5 which I've made gun tools out of - basically they're not much good for screws as they are cheap junk and will not hold up, however they do fashion into usable spring tools. I've also turned a few into assorted Picks, Awls, etc.

Takes about 10 - 15 minutes to make them with a Bernz-a-matic Torch, a pair of Pliers and a Dremel. :)
Click to expand...

Great tip chief38! And way too funny the way you wrote the story! Have you ever given thought to writing material for comedy? Not joking with you. I enjoyed the read... Thanks!
 
I have the gunsmither smithmaster tool. Works great. I recommend it if you are a S&W revolver tinkerer.
 
I started doing it so long ago with a small flat screwdriver that I remain most comfortable with that method. :D

I have the Brownell's tool, but find it awkward. I'm faster with the small screwdriver and never have a problem.
 
Hand tool

Tried several ways, now I just lay the revolver on a thick rag or two so it stays put and use both thumbnails to squeeze the spring into the rebound slide..seriously it really is the easiest way I've found. It also gives me peace of mind that I'm not tweaking the post that the spring is retained against.One thumbnail goes on either side of the post whilst pushing in and down on the spring end, I couldn't find my usual tool one day and I just tried it by hand and now I'm comfortable with it.
 
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I have the Wheeler Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set, containing an insert like the one on the left above. Until it came along, I used to fiddle with small screwdrivers, punches, split thumbnails, cut thumbs, etc. That tool has worked so well for me, I haven't bothered to look for anything else. Hardly a scientific approach, but if it ain't broke.............

Larry
 
I have the Wheeler kit and the one from Gunsmither. Gunsmither wins hands down.
 
Thanks guys for the great posts!
I had a couple of emails with Joe Beary from Gunsmither today. Very nice fellow. I ordered his Gunsmither Smithmaster Rebound Tool. I do like nice tools and wasn't up for making my own. From all the responses here, I'm sure I'll be happy with it.
 
Emop said:
On the topic of hand-made spring tools, I came across this one on Google Images the other day. In the spirit of the direction this thread is taking, I thought it deserved a nod...



It was originally from a thread on the Gunbroker Forum in 2011 and is worth looking at if you find it interesting:
https://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?topic_id=494812
Click to expand...

That's a great idea. Torx bits are pretty tough though, so turning the end down to a round pilot for the spring may be difficult for some without proper tools to do so. Not something I would try with a file. A lathe would be best though a drill motor and a grinder could probably do a satisfactory job.
 
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