I used up two guitar strings making hand springs and finally got some good ones for my DW model W12. I discovered, however, that when I cinched the sideplate down good that the lockwork locked up. When I eased up on sideplate screws a half turn, everything was OK. I assumed that the spring I ordered from numrich would take care of the problem.
the spring they sent was the same spring that's in later DW models and wouldn't work without modification. I drilled a 1/32" hole in the hand using as a pattern the hand from later model and installed the spring. Still locks up when sideplate is tightened properly.
I've had the piece for a couple of years and only test fired it when I got it, but I think this was a pre-existing problem that I didn't notice. I suspect previous owner had mixed and matched parts that don't quite fit. The problem with firing it with a loosed sideplate is that eventually I'll probably lose a screw as they shoot loose.
Also a prolem I created myself...while testing lockwork with sideplate off, the firing pin struck when cylinder was not locked up and broke off the firing pin, which should not be too hard to replace.
Maybe this piece should be put out to pasture as just a collector item rather than a shooter.
