Extra Power Main Spring?

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haze10
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Extra Power Main Spring?

Post by haze10 » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:54 pm

I know several companies make reduced power main springs, but no one seems to make an extra power main spring. If not available from a gun supply vendor, has anyone done the homework to buy one from a spring supply house, or a company like McMaster Carr. Does anyone have the specifics on the spring in spring terms?

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recumbent
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Post by recumbent » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:57 pm

I've never seen any.
"I seek not to know all the answers, but to understand the questions."
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Fast Frank
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Post by Fast Frank » Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:02 am

Generally speaking, the reduced power spring exists because it allows you to get a lighter trigger.

Logically, it seems like a stronger spring would most likely get you a WORSE trigger pull.

Why would you want that?

If reliability is your issue, there's probably something else going on with your pistol.

I've never heard of a pistol where the stock hammer spring was insufficient.

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Bullseye
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Post by Bullseye » Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:50 am

I agree with Fast Frank, you shouldn't need a higher power mainspring. If your having light strikes, you've likely got an issue with friction or clearance. Check your firing pin track, rebound spring and guide. Clean out any shipping preservative from this area of the bolt. Next ensure that you do not have the overtravel stop set too close. This will cause the sear to drag on the hammer after the hammer is released. The resulting condition will slow down the hammer speed and reduce its effectiveness. Next, clean the pistol's chamber. This will allow the round to seat fully and detonate more efficiently. A partially seated round will absorb energy from the firing pin as it is pushed against the breech face. Lastly, check the rivet in the side of the hammer and ensure that it is not sticking out too far and dragging on the thumb safety lever. If this is the case, then file down and smooth (polish) the rivet head a little to reduce drag.

Hope this helps.

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Fast Frank
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Post by Fast Frank » Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:35 am

I just read that again...

Are we talking about the hammer spring, or the spring that returns the bolt into battery?

I suppose that shooting some kind of bad- boy bullets might make you want a stiffer spring, but if that's the case what you want is a heavier slide.

The spring returns the bolt to battery, and inertia from the mass of the slide is what keeps the bolt from just flying open.

A heavier spring might help some, but it's not the answer for reducing bolt speed.

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Post by haze10 » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:26 pm

I am referring to the hammer main spring.

I know several people who own Mark IIs. Their comments, plus the many comments we read on this and various gun forums, all indicate that the Mark II has a tendency toward ignition problems. I pick up some of the spent casings from people shooting other 22's, especially the S&W, and see some really pronounced firing pin strikes in the rim. The ruger is not as pronouned.

I thought a slightly heavier spring might provide a little more inertia to increase the strike.

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