Help with Vaquero reassembly

[Dee Mak Jack, SASS #55905]

For some reason when I reassemble the pistol I can't get the loading gate to open properly.  I've had vaqueros apart before and never had a problem getting them reassembled.

I must be missing something .  Loading gate will open about 1/2 way and then binds   Any suggestions ?

[Yusta B.]

Is the tail of the spring protruding past the recoil shield ?

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Gate spring not in correct position within the frame cutout. 

OLG 

 

[Grizzly Dave]

What they said.  If it's the problem I've had before, sometimes you can take a little piece of wood and push it back and it will snap into position.

[Three Foot Johnson]

That gate spring can be a bear sometimes.

[Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283]

Howdy

 

I haven't taken a Vaquero apart in a long time, but one thing I learned was do not open the loading gate until the revolver is completely reassembled. Opening the loading gate before complete reassembly can allow the spring to slip out of position. With the spring out of position, the loading will bind on opening.

[Caboose]

Using a very very small screw driver you may be able to push the loading gate spring in place without taking it apart again. 

[Cowboy Junky]

Many people fall victim to the gate spring and the pawl spring.......I did too. But once you get those figured out it's easy. 

[Boone]

For some it's easy.  I know a cowboy who brought his pieces to a match in a plastic bag and handed it to a experienced cowboy for reassembly.

[Roanoke Rifleman, SASS #30256]

I was doing one recently and the spring would not stay 

in place . Luckily I had another spring and the new one 

worked just fine

[Dusty Devil Dale]

8 hours ago, Roanoke Rifleman, SASS #30256 said:

I was doing one recently and the spring would not stay 

in place . Luckily I had another spring and the new one 

worked just fine

Not too long ago, I tried to clean up and recontour the tip of the spring by rubbing it against 320 grit silicone carbide sandpaper, backed up by a saw table.  I was surprised when the less than 1/32" I removed left the gate loosely hanging about 1/4 open.  Lessons learned.  

[Caboose]

10 hours ago, Dusty Devil Dale said:

Not too long ago, I tried to clean up and recontour the tip of the spring by rubbing it against 320 grit silicone carbide sandpaper, backed up by a saw table.  I was surprised when the less than 1/32" I removed left the gate loosely hanging about 1/4 open.  Lessons learned.  

 

I have found this the best way to soften opening the loading gate. Squeeze very very softly and very very little. It works..

[Fargo Bill, SASS #4942]

You can purchase a tool from Brownells that holds the spring in place and makes it easy to disassemble a Vaquero and hold things in place. Wouldn't be without one.