I have an H&R Sportsman 999 .22 revolver - it is the 9-shot top break version. I realize it is not "gun snob" worthy, but it has sentimental value...my 9-year old son shot his first animal (a rattlesnake) with it. He only shoots it single action and the top break with auto ejection works well for him.

I took the cylinder off to clean it, and the little "leaf spring" or clip that holds the cylinder on its axle fell out. It will not go back in properly now - the cylinder either won't stay on or it binds and will not turn. I even bought a half dozen new ones from e-gunparts, but they do not work either.

H&R 1871 no longer honors its "lifetime warranty" since they were acquired by Marlin and discontinued all handgun production.

I am sure there is probably some little trick that is involved. If not, I am wiling to ship it off to someone who can fix it.

Anyone know of someone?

I'm thinking you're describing the "cylinder retainer"???

There's a guy in this thread that say's he's done one several times:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=145367

This guy's webpage say's he's got a copy of the service manual for a Sportsman/999.

http://members.tripod.com/pfbtparts/PFBT.html

There's a blurb about making the part yourself in Brownell's Gunsmith Kinks 3.

Gun Digest Firearms Disassembly Part 2($18.00 from Amazon) has a section on the Sportsman as well - supposedly will work for the 999.