Broke spring,

[P.A. Myers]

Friday, November 13;

I Plunged into the frozen Tahoe National Forest with my five barrels and about 50 pounds of ammo, only to have the hammer spring break after 13 rounds of 357. I didn't bring any other guns so I had to throw rocks. This reciever is an early super14 so the spring is about 30 years old. Should I carry a supply of springs in the field?

[skb2706]

In 30 plus years of Contenders I have broken 2 springs. If you choose to take spares with you also take tools to remove grip, 1 piece of 3/16" round rod 3/8" long, short punch 3/16" diameter and a replacement spring these will make changing a broken spring a ten minute job and not a 2 hour job.

[P.A. Myers]

I have had two Contenders and never had the action apart.

[Elwood]

How many times has this happened to you before? Because it happened once, does it seem resonable to be prepared from now on? My alternator went out on my truck a few weeks ago yet I dont keep a spare alternator behind my seat now just in case. The odds are that this spring will never go out on you again. Dont worry be happy.
Elwood

[lynneil]

I don't see how anyone can replace a broken hammer spring without a vise and a slave pin. This is not a job that can be done in the field. I have had to replace hammer springs every couple of years. Another spring that seems to fail is the striker spring. That one can be replaced in the field. Any spring can/will break given enough use. I shoot 1000's of rounds thru my Contender every year. Shoot only a 100 rounds or so each year and these spring may last a lifetime.

[skb2706]

Done it more than once sitting on my couch. The 3/16" rod by 3/8" long is the slave pin. Don't need a vise. Definitely a simple field job.

Remove grip.
Tap out hammer pin with 3/16" punch whilst holding frame in hand, catch pin.
Remove broken spring and hammer.
Place new spring in hammer with slave pin inside the coil of the spring.
Make sure you start hammer in so the lead edge is under the frame correctly.
Push hammer into positionwith your thumb.
Align slave pin inside with side frame hole.
Push hammer pivot pin thru it.
Put grip back on.
Go shoot stuff.

I have only ever broke two springs but I have also replaced firing pin bushings, firing pins and tightened them up. All require you remove the hammer/spring. Thus I have some practice at it.

[P.A. Myers]

Thank you so much for the instruction. The hammer pin came out a little too easy. The hammer pin doesn't appear to be  worn but I simply pushed it out. An oversized pin could be made and blued. I could thread one side and use a button head allen screw. Maybe I'll just smack the original pin with a ball-peen, that should tighten it up. I could cut a groove in the center of the pin and let the spring keep it centered. This simple job could get involved.

[lynneil]

Hellbound,
The grip will hold the hammer pin in position when shooting.

[skb2706]

lynn is correct. Don't worry about holding the pin in, the grip does that just like the foreend holds the barrel pivot pin in.

[P.A. Myers]

OH.   Nevermind.


P.S.  I made a tapered arbor to knock out[and center]the slave pin, then chased it with the hammer pin.


Thanks all.