hammer Strut assembly help appreciated

[thedogdidit]

So I brain farted all over the place. Been a couple of weeks since I did it so I don't know how, or why I did it. But now I have to reinstall the mainspring Seat onto the hammer Strut assembly. How, or why I pulled that pin is a forgotten memory. I am stuggling with putting the whole assembly back together. The posts that I did find that cover this have red X's where the pix used to be. Because they are older posts?? I read about the fork trick, and about some quick clamps. Interested in the quick clamp idea. Anyone here have a pic of that setup with the modification?
The search for these questions led me to a fork in the road so to speak.
While searching on the forum for instructions I stumbled across multiple posts about bearcat spring and so forth. Is this just for pistols that have internal locks? None of my revolvers have IL's but I am curious if there would be any benefit to going the bearcat route while I have everything apart. I have a handful of revolvers on the bench that I am tinkering with

 

[gunman42782]

Easiest way I have found is to put the hammer strut in a vise, compress the spring with the hammer strut "seat" with a pair of pliers, and re-insert the pin.

 

[3manfan]

If you have some, check your supply of metal flat washers to see if one has a large enough center hole to let the bottom end of the strut to pass through it while being able to sit over the mainspring seat & contain it. The center hole has to be large enough to clear the width of the pin so you can lift the washer away after the pin is in place. Pad a vice & secure the top end of the strut with enough of it sticking out to enable the spring to compress enough for you to press the seat down with the washer & insert the pin. If you don't have a vice, you can drill a small hole in a piece of wood just deep enough to hold the top of the strut steady & complete the same actions. If you don't have a washer that'll work you can take the seat & the pin to your local hardware store to size one.

 

[thedogdidit]

If you have some, check your supply of metal flat washers to see if one has a large enough center hole to let the bottom end of the strut to pass through it while being able to sit over the mainspring seat & contain it. The center hole has to be large enough to clear the width of the pin so you can lift the washer away after the pin is in place. Pad a vice & secure the top end of the strut with enough of it sticking out to enable the spring to compress enough for you to press the seat down with the washer & insert the pin. If you don't have a vice, you can drill a small hole in a piece of wood just deep enough to hold the top of the strut steady & complete the same actions. If you don't have a washer that'll work you can take the seat & the pin to your local hardware store to size one.

I had to read this four times for it to make sense. I knew it was me, and not you. And then the light came on. So danged simple! Thank you sir! Man was I takin the long way home on this.

 

[3manfan]

I had to read this four times for it to make sense. I knew it was me, and not you. And then the light came on. So danged simple! Thank you sir! Man was I takin the long way home on this.

You may have to wriggle the washer side to side to get it past the pin once that's in place but if you find a washer that's close enough, it works. I threw mine back in my stash after using it years ago so it's mixed in with the others or I'd give you the dimensions of it but I'd really have to hunt for it, sorry!

 

[thedogdidit]

You may have to wriggle the washer side to side to get it past the pin once that's in place but if you find a washer that's close enough, it works. I threw mine back in my stash after using it years ago so it's mixed in with the others or I'd give you the dimensions of it but I'd really have to hunt for it, sorry!

Worked like a charm!! Thanks again

 

[GasGuzzler]

I drill a shallow 1/2" hole in a 2X4 and use a stainless steel fork (eating utensil) to push the spring down. I pin it with a finish nail and use the gun's hammer to compress the spring and pull the nail once the strut is installed in the gun.

 

[Randyzzz]

A drill press with a 5/16 allen bolt in the chuck. A piece of wood with a slot for the strut rod and whatever you are using as a pin. Use the leverage of the drill press to easily compress the spring. Insert pin. Done.

 

[thedogdidit]

A drill press with a 5/16 allen bolt in the chuck. A piece of wood with a slot for the strut rod and whatever you are using as a pin. Use the leverage of the drill press to easily compress the spring. Insert pin. Done.

ya know, you just gave me ANOTHER reason why I gotta get a drill press. Gee.....thanks....lol

 

[Captain America]

I drill a shallow 1/2" hole in a 2X4 and use a stainless steel fork (eating utensil) to push the spring down. I pin it with a finish nail and use the gun's hammer to compress the spring and pull the nail once the strut is installed in the gun.

My brother just asked the other day why I had a fork in my gun tool drawer.

 

[Richbaker]

If you have some, check your supply of metal flat washers to see if one has a large enough center hole to let the bottom end of the strut to pass through it while being able to sit over the mainspring seat & contain it. The center hole has to be large enough to clear the width of the pin so you can lift the washer away after the pin is in place. Pad a vice & secure the top end of the strut with enough of it sticking out to enable the spring to compress enough for you to press the seat down with the washer & insert the pin. If you don't have a vice, you can drill a small hole in a piece of wood just deep enough to hold the top of the strut steady & complete the same actions. If you don't have a washer that'll work you can take the seat & the pin to your local hardware store to size one.

I just use a fork.....

 

[Hertervillian]

I met my neighbor during a hammer strut spring change. I just needed 3 hands or a tool, tools while nice were days and $ away.

I'd figured out he was likely a hunter, therefore he should be okay around a disassembled pistol. Long story short, we've shared a couple elk camps together.

 

[The Preacher]

Fork here too.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I knew the fork was the best way.

 

[asteirman]

Be sure to wear safety glasses ! There are many ways to do it safely. The fork works for me. I have had a spring let go on a Vaquero and get me between the eyes. I was using a pair of needle nose pliers spread open a bit. No Bueno ! Put a nice red mark on my forehead. Now I wear safety glasses and us a fork.