Inexperienced assembly Q

[gnappi]

I just received a stainless RED grip frame (gf) and I didn't think about its state until just now. The gf was removed from a revolver with the mainspring relaxed and the trigger return spring installed.

When I disassemble a blackhawk like most of us, I cock the hammer, pin the mainspring and remove the trigger return spring before removing the gf to frame screws.

Question... Can the fully assembled gf be installed onto the frame without somehow removing the mainspring?

 

[nvbirdman]

Put the mainspring strut in a vice, use an old fork to compress the spring and insert a pin.

 

[gnappi]

Put the mainspring strut in a vice, use an old fork to compress the spring and insert a pin.

Would have been easy if the mainspring strut were out of the grip frame (gf), as it was in the still in the gf I had to diddle with it to get it out before putting the spring back onto the strut.

 

[rugerguy]

to answer your question, NO, the mainspring assembly needs to be 'compressed ' and held back onto the strut with a pin or some such.....
and yes if done otherwise you need to fumble, jiggle, decompress, such as the vise or simply use a kitchen fork ( carefully, don't want to poke your eye out when the springy thingy flies off the bottom end....) you do it enough times it is second nature and quite simple, easy,,,,having sturdy firm grip and strong fingers does wonders, I know I never could without the vise or fork........:cool::rolleyes:;)

 

[peachhead]

I seem to remember being able to do that at least once by holding the grip frame with the strut in place, then pulling the hammer back until I could see the spring hole and was able to insert the paper clip that I use for that.

 

[rugerguy]

when in the guns' frame , easier to do, BUT when you have the strut and the spring and the seat, sitting on the bench, in 3 pieces, another story as to "compressing " it on the strut far enough to get it up and past the hole so you can put a pin or some such to lock it all in place..........same when you try and take the frame ,off the guns cylinder frame, and the spring is NOT "compressed/locked back" you kinda get things all sprung apart, and thats when you booger things up,,,yes, neatness counts, so please follow some semblence of order and do it by the steps........;)