R. J. Hedley's Secret Reassembly Tool

[Richard S]

Shortly before R. J. Hedley's untimely death he sent me, under orders to maintain it in strict confidence, a new reassembly spacer tool which he had designed for the R9. It was made from a large paper clip, no less.

As I was giving my R9 its regular weekend cleaning, it occurred to me that it might now be time to post two photographs of the paper-clip spacer -- one of it in place for inserting the recoil assembly and another showing the other fieldstripping/reassembly tools I have for my R9. R. J.'s "secret" tool fills the same function as Steve Bedair's spacer tool shown in the second the photographs. That photo also shows Steve's PVC takedown tool and a prototype of R. J.'s takedown/reassembly tool before he put the spacer in the thick end.

This may also be the first photograph I have posted of No. 132 in a state of "undress." (And for any of you sharp-eyed types who might wonder where the barrel pin is in the top photograph, it is hiding under the edge of R. J.'s "Back Pocket" holster.)  

[yankee2500]

Richard,
   Looks like you have everything under control with that collection of tools.

John

[kjtrains]

Richard.  Functional tools, for sure.  Thanks for sharing R.J.'s Secret Reassembly Tool.

Oh! and that 132 brings out the drool squad!      

[Brenden]

Richard,
I had missed this thread untill now-sincerely thank you for sharing the info and pictures!!

Having a secret tool from RJ is THE coolest!!

[CaptBW]

Many thanks to RJ. I have one of his tools.

He is missed on these forums. His was the voice of wisdom.

We miss you RJ!

[Richard S]

I just gave my R9 its regular cleaning and found myself using the late R. J. Hedley's "secret" spacer tool fashioned from a simple paper clip. That little device is pictured in the photograph at the top of this thread,

It occurred to me that some of the newer members of the forum might not have seen this example of how a brilliant engineer's mind (and R. J. certainly was endowed with that) can see simple solutions to complex problems. I have therefore brought the thread forward in this topic.

This little spacer device of R. J.'s can provide that needed start for inserting the recoil assembly into the slide on top of the barrel when hands are still slippery from gun oil. After the recoil assembly is pushed in place, it is just a matter of aligning it to be centered in the slide, laterally and vertically [i.e., the rear of the assembly should not be depressed in the slide but elevated just enough that it rests parallel with the edge of the slide]. The slide is then attached, compressing the recoil assembly until the barrel pin can be inserted.

[kjtrains]

Thanks RS, for bringing this forward.  Most new members certainly wouldn't know about the paper clip spacer tool of R. J. Hedley; he was one amazing man, for sure.

[gunthorp]

Hedley's tool is ingenious.  A slight modification makes it a pin pusher as well.  I stand a 9mm case on the edge of a table, invert and cant the R9, and pull the slide back to capture the case mouth in the spring assembly.  Then the trigger may be partially pulled allowing the slide to expose the pin hole.  During reassembly of the slide to the frame, pressure is applied to the outer end of the spring assembly to correctly position the inner end.

[Richard S]

gunthorp:

R. J. would be proud of your extension of his design. And that is an ingenious reassembly method demonstrated in your photographs. I use a PVC device obtained from Steve Bedair, but I'm going to try that casing trick of yours.

Finally, if I have not previously welcomed you to the Forum I do so now.

[gunthorp]

Thank you, sir.

It might help to watch the effect of directional pressure while the slide is off the frame.  As always when working with spring tension, I wear safety glasses,  try to avoid finger biting,  and work where flying parts can't go too far.  I might try belling the case mouth a bit for better purchase, but so far it hasn't been necessary.

[Reinz]

Gunthorp, I just found your post.  It is most interesting, simple, and smart with a new twist.

Something I never would have thought of.  I just use the "meathead' approach.  Full steam ahead with both hands!

May I welcome you to the forum as well sir.

[gunthorp]

Thank you for the welcome.

There's nothing wrong with that.  I appreciate all the good information from your posts.

Winston Churchill said "Americans always do the right thing...after they've tried everything else."

[theirishguard]

Gunthorp, welcome and thanks for the simple idea.   Tom

[socialwork911]

does this kit work for the 380 too??? and where can one buy it?