removing mainspring

[mr.j]

I have a question about removing the mainspring, Is it necessary to bring the hammer to full cock before removal of mainspring as i read online and a book that i have. I did follow these instructions on one of my locks and it worked fine but i noticed after removal of the sear screw it seemed to have been bent a bit, i am not sure if the sear screw is suppose to be that way as i am not familiar with this screw. Would it be better to compress the mainspring while the hammer is relaxed forward so there is no pressure on the screws? anyone that can help i will appreciate alot. thank you.

[John Sukey]

I assume you used a spring vise?

[mr.j]

I did use the vise to trap the lock. what i noticed is the screw was never able to go all the way threw the plate since i had it so it must of been bent before i had it. Would trying to remove the sear screw without compressing the mainspring cause the sear screw to bend?

[Dick Hosmer]

No, you are not damaging anything that way, and, after all, what would be un-natural about the cocked hammer position?

When dismounting the lock, the first thing taken off is the mainspring. If you have an 1879 tool, just slip it over the cocked mainspring and let the hammer down easily. The captured spring will wiggle right off of the plate and stirrup, and may be put aside for reassembly. It is actually handy to have several M1879 tools - they're cheap and very useful. And, they don't slip, as a mainspring vice sometimes does. The only time a mainspring vice is actually required is when you are changing a mainspring.

The sear screw is not supposed to be bent, if it is, it should be replaced. NO screw should ever be bent.

Tip: when reinstalling the sear spring, run the screw up just finger snug, then snap the spring tab into its' slot - don't try to fit it while it's compressed.