S&W Revolver Teardown

[Daniel686]

I am rebluing my brothers S&W model 13 .357 mag. I have taken a lot of guns apart! But never a revolver. Any thoughts on how hard it is to take the guts out and put back in?

 

[Fireaxes]

It's not to hard, go slow. Having an exploded view is handy, check Brownells website. One hint, don't pry the sideplate off with a screwdriver. If you tap the gun against something, it will come off.

 

[Daniel686]

Yeah i watched a video on the cylinder removal and side plate. But a few people went on and on about not removing the guts. I consider myself fairly handy when it comes to taking guns apart and fixing them. Probably should have parts view to be safe.

 

[Daniel686]

If it were my gun it would have been apart already! But its not.

 

[22lr]

I may or may not have tried it once, and I may or may not have had to take it to a gunsmith to get it working properly afterwards......... A lot of little pieces that are way more complicated than first glance.

 

[db1959]

When I tear something down that I am not familier with I take pictures, a lot of pictures. That helps with orientation when reassembling. And as Fireaxes said, having an exploded view is handy.

 

[clelaj]

I suggest "The S&W Revolver A Shop Manual" by Jerry Kuhnhausen. Very detailed with good tips. And an interesting read. I got mine from the publisher's website Heritage Gun Books - S&W Revolver Repair and Maintenance Manual

 

[mospeada]

Buy the Kuhnhausen book.

 

[target64]

Just jump right on in with both feet and your eyes closed.......

Have the number of a good gunsmith handy.
Seriously, just take your time and have an illustrated parts breakdown***,good luck.

 

[ghitch75]

just watch the trigger spring....it will fly out to unknown places....

 

[wag1911]

Try these vids....very helpful when I did a complete teardown for the first time. Its always a good thing to take pics in a sequence to make sure you get it back together right. Especially the 1st time

Now he expressly states in the first video that he is not taking it completely apart, however, he gets you through the basics and the rest is pretty straightforward. The cylinder stop spring can be difficult (one of the last few parts), but a small flat head screw driver should make it easier. Also, be sure not to accidentally bend the washers that go over the studs.

Also, what was said in this thread about the rebound spring is true....it's easy to loose and a challenge to get back in, so be patient.

If you are in my area I may be able to help.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KneMUM9rfw4[/ame]

Then:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SyZpmw1K-A[/ame]

 

[Bullfrog80]

I have confidence in you man.... But seriously it better work when I get it back....

 

[wag1911]

Oh, make sure you have the proper screwdriver bits to remove the plate screws. You not want to knacker them up:

.030" Flat for Plate Disassembly (Yoke/Plate Screws) ....is what worked best for me, but older revolvers have one screw that is different and you may need a different size for it.

 

[Daniel686]

Thanks guys! Ill let ya know how it turns out.

 

[Claddagh]

Other than the aforementioned properly fitting screwdrivers, having one other thing helps immeasurably to make the process a whole lot less of a potential PITA: a rebound spring removal/intallation tool. Available from Brownell's and worth several times the modest cost (< $20) especially compared to trying to have a third hand grafted-on. B-Square also makes a bit for the task that fits their (and no doubt some others') "socket-head" gunsmith screwdriver set. Highly recommended, unless of course you already have that 3rd hand.