How to disassemble the Swiss grip safety?

[Wernher von Browning]

Hi, all.

The spring on my 06/29 grip safety broke. I already have the replacement in hand, shipped from Switzerland.

I haven't found a good "shop manual" anywhere online.

I can see how the grip safety is held in place -- a pin at the bottom that goes into the eye of the spring, which in turn is held in a hole and slot in the frame. But before prying things apart, I figured I'd ask for some handholding first (before I over-pry and bend stuff).

Anybody know how the grip safety stamping is removed to get at the spring?

[ithacaartist]

I've done it on both the 1900/'06 style frame, as well as a 70's Mauser--which has the same grip safety as the Swiss, since 1929, I think, after Bern began using its own tooling.

I first raised the tail of the lever just enough to disengage the pivot and slide that end over into a portion of the frame that was cut out. The safety lever is hardened, to be stiff. This makes it potentially brittle--but it will spring a little/just enough to install or remove and still maintain its shape. Then the upper part of the lever/bar will slide out from its channel in the frame. When reassembling, don't forget to engage the new spring with its doohickey on the back side of the lever when reversing the process. Sorry if my description isn't very vivid or detailed. I winged it, and it was pretty easy.

[Wernher von Browning]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

I first raised the tail of the lever just enough to disengage the pivot and slide that end over into a portion of the frame that was cut out. The safety lever is hardened, to be stiff. This makes it potentially brittle--but it will spring a little/just enough to install or remove and still maintain its shape. Then the upper part of the lever/bar will slide out from its channel in the frame.

Thanks. I didn't see your post until well after I did exactly that, on my own.

I was worried about the "hardened... potentially brittle" part, that's why I asked. I didn't know if it would spring "just enough" -- of course it turns out it did.

I got a new spring from Switzerland, it's fixed, works fine.

Thanks.