I have a couple Belgiun copies of the S&W 44 DA New Frontier. I was taking one apart to clean it and removed the latch that holds the action closed. As I recall it was under spring tension before I removed it. I was very careful to not let anything fall out or go flying across the room. There was a ton of crud in the recess the latch sits in. After I cleaned it out and put it back together it latches fine, but has no tension. Will flip up easily. I looked at the other one, which I haven't messed with and it is the same way. Looking at how the latch is shaped, it appears that when you lift it, it should cam down against a spring, which would push it back and help hold it closed.
My question, is there (was there ) a spring inside the recess that pushes the latch down and helps retain it in the closed position? Is it part of the hooked spring which retains the cylinder, like a V shaped affair? Illustration or pic would help, thank you.