ihmsa forums

I'm having fits trying to replace the broken hammer spring in my old-style contender. I've made a slave pin the exact width of the hammer but I'm not sure of the correct spring orientation. I've tried both reversing it and inverting it but the hammer still flops around once I drive the pin through. Apparently, the spring isn't being "captured" correctly.
The exploded diagram in my manual doesn't show the relationship between the spring and the frame. Can anyone give me some orientation tips before I pull the rest of my hair out?

I've done it before but it has been awhile. I do remember it was kind of a pain in the rear the first time I did it.

Your spring should have one end that is curved back so it is somewhat in the shape of a "C", and the other end should be straight. The curved end goes to the back side of the hammer, the straight edge rests on the base of where you screw in the pistol grip. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the quick response, Kickbass. It does appear from the exploded diagram that the curve goes toward the front and the straight piece to the rear but I wasn't sure if it was supposed to rest on the back of the grip frame. And I'm still not sure where the curved part is supposed to get engaged.
I've been away all day so I haven't had a chance to fuss with it yet but I'll work on it some more in the morning and let you know how things turn out.

Eureka! After seeing these photos I realized that the hammer spring gets captured in a pocket of the hammer itself, rather than in the frame. It was a real DUH! moment.
http://specialtypistols.infopo...7102585/m/1410033636
Hopefully, others will benefit from this tutorial.
That spring had broken just before my last ram. If I had been carrying a score of 39 I would have thrown the gun over the berm. But it was a lousy score anyway. I've only hit a 40 once and it was a hollow victory because I rang one of the rams. But I was given the point since the rams were set full-foot for the wind.
Thanks, guys. All is well.
Peace,
Bud Beeler
Oxford, Michigan