Replacing The Safety Spring & Ball

AS13 · January 10, 2013, 03:00:48 PM

Well my luck ran out

When I work on my trigger group I usually just remove the stock and sideplate. Until yesterday the safety spring and detente ball stayed in place. Didn't go flying, just fell out of the track. How to get it back in without removing the grip frame?
I went to the toolbox and got a dental pick and 3/32 drill bit. I have a magnetic parts tray so I placed the drill bit in the tray to magnetize it. I replaced the spring in the track and using the dental pick compressed the spring enough to get the ball in. I picked up the detent ball using the flat end of the drill bit and replaced the ball under the spring. Took a couple of tries but I got them back in.

AgentWD40_FL · January 10, 2013, 03:15:12 PM

I remove mine in a very similar way.

breakfastchef · January 10, 2013, 03:23:19 PM

The most efficient way to replace the ball and spring is by removing the grip and reinstalling. I have also fussed with picks and jewler's screwdrivers successfully, too.

WyoMan · January 10, 2013, 04:07:16 PM

Quote from: breakfastchef on January 10, 2013, 03:23:19 PM
The most efficient way to replace the ball and spring is by removing the grip and reinstalling. I have also fussed with picks and jewler's screwdrivers successfully, too.

fussed is a good word for that.....almost need 3 hands. Grip frame removal the best

Fronzdan · January 10, 2013, 11:43:48 PM

I've gone the dangerous route a bunch of times, and managed to keep those buggers where they belong. Had em pop out a couple times and managed to find them (listening for them to drop is what saved me). My luck eventually ran out and I lost a ball bearing a few weeks ago.

The way they come in the prod frames helps. They glob em with grease and that seems to keep them in place when the frame is off.

Daysailer · January 11, 2013, 02:24:06 AM

Ive gotten them back in a number of times with mini screwdriver and dental pick.

Never again.... take grip off, and drop the buggers in the hole and remount the grip frame.

KevinP · January 11, 2013, 02:30:36 AM

I had just received 100 of the balls in the mail ... sittin in the bag .... took trigger out
to put in the GMAC one ..... spring and ball hit the ceiling....
had the ball

broke open a lighter for the spring ..

I now superglue them together so I can lose them both at the same time ...

Mark5043 · January 11, 2013, 03:03:15 AM

Oh yeah..the dreaded safety detent ball..somewhat tricky to put back in without the lower removed..
A small dab of grease in the slot will help keep that ball,and spring in place when you have the side cover off.
I always keep the safety off.."In the fire position" when removing the side plate,or the whole lower.It seems there is less tension on the spring.I pull the upper of very slowly..haven't dropped a detent ball in a while,knock on wood.Ditto on the magnetic parts tray..saved the day more than once..

1377x · January 11, 2013, 08:52:26 AM

crosman reads the forums
now all ehe 1701p trigger groups i bought lately have the spring and ball gooped with grease and the dont move for anything
i pull all my safeties anyways because im a leftie and it gets in my way .should have some left hand safeties one day

droid · January 11, 2013, 09:42:36 AM

Secret is to buy a bag full of BBs. Since I bought a bag of 200 on eBay I haven't lost a one.

And for me removing the grip frame every time is the way.

Mark5043 · January 11, 2013, 01:07:36 PM

Quote from: 1377x on January 11, 2013, 08:52:26 AM

i pull all my safeties anyways because im a leftie and it gets in my way .should have some left hand safeties one day

I see your point there Ed....Hmmm....okay who's going to fire up the lathe..

I think someone should make a bunch for the lefties..

@ droid..

yeah,funny how that works..if you have extra's on hand..you never have a problem.So true...

Flex · January 30, 2013, 01:19:02 AM

Came darn close to losing that pesky tiny ball doing a trigger tune-up (my first) on my 1322c the other night. Fortunately, it just rolled out, hit the towel I was working on and rolled a bit more just a bit out of sight. Took about 20 minutes but I found it. I like the glob of grease idea as well as a dab of superglue! Has anyone considered using lead shot maybe #8 or #7.5? Just how hard does the ball have to be? I have plenty of those available. Flex

WyoMan · January 30, 2013, 04:09:35 AM

Has to be harder than lead.....3/32" ball bearing can be had at hardware stores or what I did.....
http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-bearing-balls/=l959wy

Pikie · January 30, 2013, 06:36:33 PM

I too am a lefty. I have had my 1377 for a short time and am afraid to take the grip frame off! I put a steel breech, Williams sight, and Bluefork front band sight on, but am waiting to find someone who sells or can make me a lefty. Before I lose the spring and detent ball! Does anyone know where I a
can get a left handed safety?

mudduck48 · January 30, 2013, 06:50:16 PM

Quote from: breakfastchef on January 10, 2013, 03:23:19 PM
The most efficient way to replace the ball and spring is by removing the grip and reinstalling. I have also fussed with picks and jewler's screwdrivers successfully, too.

Yea, what he said. Remove the grip frame. But first, you do what an old sage on the forum told me. Go to the hardware store or Home depot, Lowe's and buy two 8-32x 1/2" allen head cap screws. Take your screws out of the gripframe and cut off the new screws the the same length. There is one long and one short. Now you do not have to fight with that stupid square drive. Makes it alot eaiser to remove the grip frame. I put a flat washer under mine, made the washer black with a Sharpie. Don't forget to put a piece of electrical tape on the front of your trigger guard so's not to scratch it with your screwdriver.