Where to start learning about routine maintenance?

[victor6]

Howdy,

I'm interested in learning how to keep my SAA and NF running. Complete disassembly, cleaning, replacing springs, anything else that falls under routine maintenance.

Beyond buying the right set of screwdrivers from Brownells, what else do I need to get started in term of tools? Are there any books / videos worth purchasing?

I remember being deathly afraid of disassembling S&W revolvers until I watched a video many years ago and saw the right way to do it ... anything similar exist for the single actions?

One final question, is there a basic set of replacement springs/parts that I should keep on hand?

Your help, wisdom and guidance is appreciated.

Thanks!

Victor

[Aggie01]

Kuhnhausen's books would be a fantastic start. Anything else you need would be in there.

[Markbo]

Those KH books are a must have.

I don't know of any video for certain, but try Youtube... everything else under the sun is there.

[bones507]

You should be able to find what you need on this site. I have picked up a couple and they are a big help.
gunvideo.com/index/67/

[Kurt]

Hand or pawl springs are a must. They break more frequently than any other in Colt pattern guns. You could convert them to a coil like a Ruger. Then trigger springs, the Heinies are good, never seen one break. Of course start with Kuhnhausen's book.

[Hobie]

I would not include "complete dis-assembly" in the term "routine maintenance".

[maxcactus]

I have the complete set of Kuhnhausen books and they are truly indispensable! Worth every penny you pay for them and much more. Has saved my butt more than a few times when I took a tool apart and said "oops!" plus it gives you information you never knew you needed to know, but do! Admittedly, they look at and delve into things from the perspective of a shop gunsmith, but the more you read them, the more useful you'll find the info and they more you'll understand your tools. About the only one I'm not particularly fond of is the M1 Carbine book - and that's no fault of the book - I'm just no fan of the tool it covers.

Max.

[madcratebuilder]

Check www.smartflix.com. They have a lot of SAA gunsmithing vids, rent them cheap.