I hate little tiny parts!

TomADC · March 13, 2014, 01:22 PM

Replaced the rear sight blade on my S&W 28 with a while outline one, this thing has a little coil spring and a tiny metal plunger to act as a stop when you adjust the sight, that spring and plunger just about did me in, fat finger syndrome!
Got it changed finally, now off to the range to do a zero.
BTW I had to buy a new spring and plunger the old one was stacked in place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6au83u4A78

DannyB1954 · March 13, 2014, 01:35 PM

Short arms can be a problem after 50. Hard to get a focus.

TomADC · March 13, 2014, 01:36 PM

[QUOTE]Short arms can be a problem after 50. Hard to get a focus.]/QUOTE]

I understand try it at 72!!

SIGSHR · March 13, 2014, 02:39 PM

Some good magnets come in handy. And plenty of good lighting.

feets · March 13, 2014, 04:15 PM

Magnifiers work great. If you do much small work look into getting one of those desk mounted lighted magnifiers. I find them handy and I've barely passed 40.

jglsprings · March 13, 2014, 04:24 PM

You think putting it back together is hard, try finding it when it jumps into the carpet or off the concrete and under the bench.

357 Python · March 13, 2014, 05:19 PM

Years ago the rear sight blade broke on my 28 and I replaced it with the White Outline rear sight assembly. The gunshop I bought it from did the replacement in a matter of minutes. It was more costly than just the blade but it made up for it in less labor cost. Now put some liquid paper on the front sight and it shows up better in low light situations.

FrankenMauser · March 14, 2014, 12:43 AM

I don't mind tiny parts. They're easy to capture on disassembly, or control with tweezers/forceps during assembly.
It's ridiculously long springs that I hate.
Have you ever tried to put the main spring and firing pin springs back in a Remington 241? You need 2 vises, 5 eyes, 9 and a half punches, and 6 sets of hands.

bedbugbilly · March 14, 2014, 11:08 AM

jglsprings . . . as I get older, I am of the opinion that the area under a bench ought to be sloped so that everything that "jumps" off the bench rolls down into a "collecting trough"!

I don't know how many times, even though I'm careful, I've had to ask my wife to come and help me look for a screw, etc. Just one of the many reasons I love her . . .

TomADC · March 14, 2014, 11:36 AM

I put a sheet on the table I was working on and sure enough the spring and plunger went flying I saw the spring close to the edge of the table so I'm down on hands and knees looking for it I even run a big magnet I have on a rod to find and zippo nothing, I sit back down not a happy camper and see the plunger at the other edge of the sheet. I'm much more careful now and get it together without any further problems.
I like the idea of sloping the floor to a collect area.

**Mike Irwin** · March 14, 2014, 12:13 PM

"You think putting it back together is hard, try finding it when it jumps into the carpet or off the concrete and under the bench."

I keep a rather powerful rare earth magnet in my shop for situations exactly like that.

I've never failed to retrieve a screw or spring that I've dropped.

If they fly, however, all bets are off.

TomADC · March 14, 2014, 12:40 PM

Now I just hope I've stacked the nut side enough so it doesn't come apart when I shoot it. Looks good to the mark 1 eyeball.

**Mike Irwin** · March 14, 2014, 12:59 PM

"Now I just hope I've stacked the nut side enough so it doesn't come apart when I shoot it."

Yeah...

You know you didn't!

Old Stony · March 14, 2014, 01:54 PM

We used to put those S&W sight springs and plungers in while holding the sight in a plastic bag. Once you launch that little plunger, you might just as well forget it.

SIGSHR · March 14, 2014, 02:47 PM

I plan to build a work surface-a box of sorts-with sides 6" high and covered with white contact paper. And perhaps with a clear plastic cover.

TomADC · March 14, 2014, 03:55 PM

Mike thats just plain evil!!
O.S. that's a good idea, next time!!

Carmady · March 14, 2014, 07:32 PM

"Replaced the rear sight blade on my S&W 28 with a white outline one, this thing has a little coil spring..."

As soon as I read the title I knew what this thread was about. The Millet spring.

Once I spoke on the phone with a gunsmith and he said, "You better bring it in. There's this little tiny spring in there, ain't no bigger than a fart..."

James K · March 14, 2014, 08:30 PM

The reason the job usually costs more than the blade is that the windage screw is staked and it is nearly impossible to remove it without breaking it off. If anyone manages to not break it, then make sure it is staked properly after assembling.

Jim

TomADC · March 15, 2014, 11:05 AM

James correct the proper way to remove the screw and nut is turn CCW until you break it, the new blade comes with a nut and screw.

March 13, 2014, 01:22 PM	#1
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	I hate little tiny parts! Replaced the rear sight blade on my S&W 28 with a while outline one, this thing has a little coil spring and a tiny metal plunger to act as a stop when you adjust the sight, that spring and plunger just about did me in, fat finger syndrome! Got it changed finally, now off to the range to do a zero. BTW I had to buy a new spring and plunger the old one was stacked in place. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6au83u4A78 __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

March 13, 2014, 01:36 PM	#3
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	[QUOTE]Short arms can be a problem after 50. Hard to get a focus.]/QUOTE] I understand try it at 72!! __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

March 13, 2014, 04:24 PM	#6
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	You think putting it back together is hard, try finding it when it jumps into the carpet or off the concrete and under the bench. __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

March 14, 2014, 12:43 AM	#8
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,426	I don't mind tiny parts. They're easy to capture on disassembly, or control with tweezers/forceps during assembly. It's ridiculously long springs that I hate. Have you ever tried to put the main spring and firing pin springs back in a Remington 241? You need 2 vises, 5 eyes, 9 and a half punches, and 6 sets of hands. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

March 14, 2014, 11:08 AM	#9
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	jglsprings . . . as I get older, I am of the opinion that the area under a bench ought to be sloped so that everything that "jumps" off the bench rolls down into a "collecting trough"! I don't know how many times, even though I'm careful, I've had to ask my wife to come and help me look for a screw, etc. Just one of the many reasons I love her . . . __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

March 13, 2014, 01:35 PM	#2
DannyB1954 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2013 Location: Pahrump Nv USA Posts: 480	Short arms can be a problem after 50. Hard to get a focus.

March 13, 2014, 02:39 PM	#4
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Some good magnets come in handy. And plenty of good lighting.

March 13, 2014, 04:15 PM	#5
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 560	Magnifiers work great. If you do much small work look into getting one of those desk mounted lighted magnifiers. I find them handy and I've barely passed 40.

March 13, 2014, 05:19 PM	#7
357 Python Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 941	Years ago the rear sight blade broke on my 28 and I replaced it with the White Outline rear sight assembly. The gunshop I bought it from did the replacement in a matter of minutes. It was more costly than just the blade but it made up for it in less labor cost. Now put some liquid paper on the front sight and it shows up better in low light situations.

March 14, 2014, 11:36 AM	#10
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	I put a sheet on the table I was working on and sure enough the spring and plunger went flying I saw the spring close to the edge of the table so I'm down on hands and knees looking for it I even run a big magnet I have on a rod to find and zippo nothing, I sit back down not a happy camper and see the plunger at the other edge of the sheet. I'm much more careful now and get it together without any further problems. I like the idea of sloping the floor to a collect area. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

March 14, 2014, 12:13 PM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"You think putting it back together is hard, try finding it when it jumps into the carpet or off the concrete and under the bench." I keep a rather powerful rare earth magnet in my shop for situations exactly like that. I've never failed to retrieve a screw or spring that I've dropped. If they fly, however, all bets are off. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 14, 2014, 12:40 PM	#12
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	Now I just hope I've stacked the nut side enough so it doesn't come apart when I shoot it. Looks good to the mark 1 eyeball. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

March 14, 2014, 12:59 PM	#13
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"Now I just hope I've stacked the nut side enough so it doesn't come apart when I shoot it." Yeah... You know you didn't! __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 14, 2014, 01:54 PM	#14
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	We used to put those S&W sight springs and plungers in while holding the sight in a plastic bag. Once you launch that little plunger, you might just as well forget it.

March 14, 2014, 02:47 PM	#15
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	I plan to build a work surface-a box of sorts-with sides 6" high and covered with white contact paper. And perhaps with a clear plastic cover.

March 14, 2014, 03:55 PM	#16
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	Mike thats just plain evil!! O.S. that's a good idea, next time!! __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

March 14, 2014, 07:32 PM	#17
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	"Replaced the rear sight blade on my S&W 28 with a white outline one, this thing has a little coil spring..." As soon as I read the title I knew what this thread was about. The Millet spring. Once I spoke on the phone with a gunsmith and he said, "You better bring it in. There's this little tiny spring in there, ain't no bigger than a fart..."

March 14, 2014, 08:30 PM	#18
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The reason the job usually costs more than the blade is that the windage screw is staked and it is nearly impossible to remove it without breaking it off. If anyone manages to not break it, then make sure it is staked properly after assembling. Jim

March 15, 2014, 11:05 AM	#19
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	James correct the proper way to remove the screw and nut is turn CCW until you break it, the new blade comes with a nut and screw. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!