Originally posted by tdan:
I have not seen it done or demonstrated with the sideplate down. I was taught and have always seen it demonstrated that the revovler is held more or less in a horizontal position with the sideplate up while tapping the grip frame with a non-marring hammer. The sideplate will loosen and vibrate up, which allows it to be removed. By having it up, the hammer block does not drop out. Have they changed the way this is taught at the Armorer's school?
I had to pull out my Kuhnhausen manual to see if I am giving bad advice. The manual says to hold the gun in an upright position and tap the right side of the grip frame with a hammer handle. You are to hold the sideplate while doing this in case it suddenly pops loose. I guess there are other ways to skin a cat. I hammer better in a down direction. I always have the gun over a towel in case the sideplate drops suddenly. I always figured if the sideplate suddenly sprung loose, it would land in my right hand or on the towel......less chance of it dropping down and scratching the bottom of the frame. I hammer with my left hand.