S&W 38 DA reassembly question / problem

[Göring's S&W]

I dissassembled my 38 DA 2nd model and I'm having trouble putting it back together.

I have it all back together except for the trigger guard and the trigger spring (v - shaped spring, part #34 in the Numrich diagram.)

How do you get this spring back in? I can't figure it out. Thanks.

 

[deadin]

I was hoping someone else was going to take this on...
I can do it, but I don't know if I can explain it well....

Note the the trigger guard has kind of a slot the width of the spring on the forward part that goes into the frame.
You lay the spring (pointy part forward) and the engage the little lip at the front of the guard into the frame. Check the the upper leaf of the spring is matching up with the projection on the trigger and then just lever the back part of the trigger guard into place. (I can't remember if the 2nd Model snaps into place or if there is a pin holding it in place. If its a pin, have a probe in your third hand ready to shove through the hole and hold everything in place. Then you can work the keeper pin in.......

Good Luck......

 

[Göring's S&W]

Boy that wasn't too easy for me, but I did it. Thanks for the help Deadin.

 

[deadin]

Glad you got it back together.....
I never said it was easy!! (I usually leave a little blood somewhere when putting one back together..) And I wasn't kidding about the third hand.

Remind me, does it snap in or is there a pin??

 

[Göring's S&W]

I snapped it in. Did not see any pin. SN is 102577

 

[Dave_n]

I am definitely interested in your methods for taking the cylinder off. I have the 32 version (4th model) and it looks as though you take the hinge screw out and then carefully separate the barrel from the frame. Then the cylinder should lift off. Is this correct? I normally take guns of this vintage apart in a large plastic bag so I can find "flying pieces". I have many Webleys and Enfields but they use a different method for holding the cylinder in. Any info would be appreciated. Dave_n

 

[Dosgatos]

Dave_n:
Removing the cylinder is much easier than that. With the barrel/cylinder open, lift the latch and lift and turn the cylinder counterclockwise and it will unscrew. If you do not lift the latch it will mar the cylinder.

 

[Ballarat]

David R Chicoine's book Antique firearms assembly/disassembly deals with this on page 212 to remove, and reverse to install. Its a book I swear by for older firearms, well worth buying. Pleased to hear everything turned out fine.

 

[Dave_n]

Dear Dosgatos and Ballarat:

So easy and yet "non-obvious". Many thanks indeed. Saved me a major headache. Cheers,
Dave_n

 

[Dave_n]

Might be interested to know that the book can be downloaded from Amazon in kindle format for $13.99. I downloaded to my IPad and had the info within 3 minutes. Again, many thanks. Dave_n