When putting an S & W revolver back together, a few steps seem to cause more trouble than the rest. One is the insertion of the cylinder-locking bolt, and its spring, into the frame. The bolt has to go down its shaft, while the spring has to be squirmed back into the tunnel drilled into the front of the frame cutout. (I have no idea how they drill that hole.) With the frame resting on a padded surface, place the spring into its hole in the locking bolt. Start the bolt partway down the shaft until the spring bears against the edge of the frame. Use a small eyeglass screwdriver to compress the spring enough to clear the edge of the frame and push the bolt and spring down the shaft. When you get to the frame hole, the spring will snap into place. Be sure the bolt is completely down the shaft, and pivots smoothly up and down through the cutout under the cylinder.
The second problem concerns the rebound block. The return is quite strong for its size, and resists efforts to push it in place. You will have to alter a screwdriver to fit the spring. Grind the tip so it is the exact width of the spring. Grind a shoulder on each side of the screwdriver to bear against the spring, leaving the center of the tip narrow enough to fit within the spring.
With the hammer and trigger already in place, slide the spring into the rebound block and the rebound block in behind the trigger. The spring will rest on the rebound block-retaining stud. With one hand, use your thumb to push down on the block enough to keep it from pivoting up. Use the screwdriver to compress the spring, pushing it into the rebound block. When the spring clears the retaining stud, push the block down with your thumb enough to capture the spring. Remove the screwdriver and push the block the rest of the way down.
For more detailed tips and techniques to help you smith most pistols and revolvers, purchase Gunsmithing Pistols and Revolvers from Gun Tests.
