Model 41 cocking indicator repair

My S&W Model 41, from the late 1960's, has the hole for a cocking indicator, but when I bought the gun, it was missing. I don't think it's at all needed for function, but I like to have things in proper shape. Numrich had one cocking indicator left, and I purchased it, but they didn't have the spring.

Does anyone either know where I can get a spring, or the dimensions so I can try to get one to match?

Also, I understand installation is going to be a bit of a rubics cube. Are there clear instructions anywhere?

Thank you.

Grifo wrote:My S&W Model 41, from the late 1960's, has the hole for a cocking indicator, but when I bought the gun, it was missing. I don't think it's at all needed for function, but I like to have things in proper shape. Numrich had one cocking indicator left, and I purchased it, but they didn't have the spring.

Does anyone either know where I can get a spring, or the dimensions so I can try to get one to match?

Also, I understand installation is going to be a bit of a rubics cube. Are there clear instructions anywhere?

Thank you.

There's a post by Cranky Thunder on the S&W Forum from 2019 about installing the cocking indicator and spring.  I believe he's also here on BE Forum, maybe try PM him?  Good luck - those tiny springs in the 41 can be a challenge!

Thanks, I found that thread.
https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/595101-s-w-model-41-extractor-issues-one-more-thread-2.html?highlight=model+41+cocking+indicator

Wondering if I'm smart enough to put the cocking indicator that I bought from Numrich in the box with spare grips and other stuff for the Model 41, and then try to forget about it.

Since it runs fine without my hunting down a spring, tearing it apart and then spending a few hours/days trying to finesse the parts back together while exploring the range of my vocabulary?  Usually I don't make the smart decision in these situations.

I found another thread on the S&W forum that gives the specs for the spring and recommended ways of getting a matching replacement.

Someone talk me out of "fixing" this before I start burning hours and screw things up.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/638247-model-41-cocking-indicator-question.html

Stop!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! 

Get a little of that black RTV silicone gasket stuff and plug the hole.
Now it won't bother you.

Dr.Bill wrote:Get a little of that black RTV silicone gasket stuff and plug the hole.
Now it won't bother you.

Sounds good. 

And I'll only use a tiny bit so it doesn't go through the hole and inside the slide.

I'm thinking it probably came out when someone else was working on this years ago, and they tried to put it back and gave up, and I should yake a lesson from that.

Although I found one post, either on Rimfire Central  or S&W forum, said that Bullseye Shooters would take out the cocking indicator because recoil with smoother without it.??

Dr.Bill wrote:Get a little of that black RTV silicone gasket stuff and plug the hole.
Now it won't bother you.

Sounds good. 

And I'll only use a tiny bit so it doesn't go through the hole and inside the slide.

I'm thinking it probably came out when someone else was working on this years ago, and they tried to put it back and gave up, and I should take a lesson from that.

Although I found one post, either on Rimfire Central  or S&W forum, said that Bullseye Shooters would take out the cocking indicator because recoil with smoother without it.??