The other day, I lost a part to my Miroku 1885, a hammer spring guide. - I found the spring, but the little nail-like guide has been elusive. I heard it hit something plastic on the far end of the shop, but that has been my only clue.

After a few days, I ordered a new part from Numrich Arms, as it wasn't expensive in any case.

My theory is that now that I have a replacement on the way, the elusive part will show itself. Most likely I'll step on it, and have to remove it from my foot or something like that.

Now I am much much more confident that the lost part will come to light.

Kind regards,
Salvo

A gunsmith was called into court as an expert witness.  The attorney, in order to establish credibility, asked him how long he had been a gunsmith, and he answered 28 years.   

Later, in cross examination, the defense attorney asked him "how many years of experience do you have gunsmithing?  He replied "23 years".  Immediately, the attorney jumped on the discrepancy, saying:  "you testified earlier that you had been a gunsmith for 28 years, now you say you have 23 years of experience; how do you account for the other 5 years?"

The fellow absolutely established his credibility when he replied:  "I spent those 5 years, down on my knees on the floor, looking for springs".

I had one of those moments yesterday as I was removing a broken bolt from an M1 carbine As I freed the bolt the broken lug fell completely off and the extractor spring guide went boing across the shop. 

By the grace of the almighty it bounced off the tank of the compressor many feet away and a quick sweep with a magnet recovered the guide....I was bloody lucky!

I couldnt even guess how many detent balls are rolling around in the shop from cross slide safeties

On the lathe, I have used a paper plate in the past to catch objects being parted.

I never found my lost part, it only has another few days to show up before the replacement I ordered appears. In the mean-time I have made a special tool to install the part with, and next time I'll put a bag or box in the line of fire, in case the new one goes flying too.

Dave,
Do they have a parts list (I couldn't find one) or do you have to call them with what you need?

Frank

I ordered the part from Numrich Arms, have been working with them for close to 40 years now.

Once it hits the floor - it's gone.....

Three years since I lost the ball and spring out of a Timney trigger.

Found the ball. Maybe within three years the spring will show up.