Here is a site for Virginian Dragoon parts, I also left a Message in the PM file with the site on it.
http://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=154A little bit of mild lock-tite on the gate spring screw is a good idea since the factory put some kind of thread locker on the screw.
Polishing the sear and hammer notches to a mirror finish is a good idea if you want a super smooth action. I had to make a new trigger/bolt spring since I can't find any for sale. The perfect material for flat springs is a feeler gauge, you can even choose the thickness thereby controlling the tension on the trigger, I have mine set at about 3-1/2 lbs checked at the lower tip of the trigger. The feeler gauge's hole was even just the right size for the spring screw! If it ever wears out, I'll just make a new one. Just make sure when cutting the spring with a cut off wheel on a dremmel, not to heat it up to much and lose the temper, just keep dipping it in water.
I also made new walnut grips since my 44 came with pachmayr grips and came uneven every time I shot it. The secret to the grips not splitting like I understand happened a lot on these guns, is to fiberglass the back side with R/C Airplane(really thin) Fiberglass, but instead of using fiberglass resin, use superglue which is an old trick. Make sure to recess the edges of the back side of the grips so they don't go out of alignment or glue and screw stops to fit in the little half circle near the bottom of the hammer spring. Doing so makes the grips solid after many firing's. I personally don't mind the recoil with wooden grips, even shooting one handed, just hold tight and hang on! Mine is very accurate, I plan on machining a piece of stainless steel in place of the adjustable sights to follow the contours of the top of the frame and screw it on. When I want to shoot long distance, I will be able to put the adjustable sights back on when I want as there will be storage for them inside of the grips so they won't get lost.
By the way mine says "Sic Semper Tyrannis" (Thus always to tyrants) with a star on each side. Virtue holding her spear has her foot on tyranny's chest near his neck who is lying on his back on the ground, Thomas Jefferson said Sic Semper Tyrannis meant "Get your foot off my neck"! Our Founding Fathers had a sense of humor too you know.
Z
