an electromagnetic contactor comprising a housing , the housing being adapted to receive internally thereof a stationary armature , a coil subassembly , return springs , and a block subassembly , the block subassembly comprising a block adapted to receive terminals and a carrier subassembly , the carrier subassembly comprising a carrier member adapted to receive and retain a movable armature , the housing having internally thereof a plurality of detents adapted to be overridden by the block subassembly and to snap over exposed surfaces of the block subassembly to lock the block subassembly , the stationary armature , and the coil assembly in the housing , whereby to complete assembly of the contactor without fasteners ; and a method for making the contactor .