51 navy colt hand and spring

[mothernatureson]

Hello all, I have broken the spring on the hand of my revolver. The hand is the part that protudes the recoil shield and spins the cylinder. I had read somewhere about a better way to fix this problem other than a new hand, or replacing the flat spring. Any thoughts? Thanks,

mothernatureson

 

[bs32]

mothernatureson:

I think the only way to do this repair is to either replace the hand spring as originally supplied (or use a section of coping saw blade ground and bent to fit) or to drill the appropriate spot on the left hand side of the revolver frame where the top of the backstrap attaches and use a "ruger style" spring and plunger. There are particular problems with the spring and plunger conversion on smaller frame guns and it is generally not recommended to my knowledge, though it has been done and is still being done. Something to do with the geometry of where the plunger has to bear on the rear of the hand. my .02 worth

bs32

 

[Cap n Ball]

I have a few Pietta revolvers that had that problem (they were kinda famous for bad or weak springs) and my gunsmith permanently fixed it by inserting a flattened piece of piano wire as a replacement spring. Cost about eight dollars as I remember.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

I just use feeler guage stock...carefully open the base of the hand where crimped to the spring. Measure, cut, bend at top, fit, recrimp hand at base.
Works for me anyway...

 

[Manyirons]

OR, Can get one at BigIron!

(Yessir boss! PLEASE dont hit me AGAIN!)

 

[mothernatureson]

51 navy colt

hey, thanks for the ideas. I ended up using a guitar string, doubled and fit into the crimp of the hand. bent the wire at the appropriate spot. Presto! Works like a charm. Seems these hand springs work good until you take them out and mess with them. They are brittle and break easily. Thanks for all the prompt replies, this is a very usefull website!

mothernatureson

 

[Jim K]

"...these hand springs work good until you take them out and mess with them."

Sounds to me like a lesson.

Jim