A properly heat treated spring can be bent and will stay where you put it. S&W factory springs are very good quality. They don't bend on their own just from use. If you want a bend in it, you have to put it there. I have spring tuning down to a fine science, but it isn't something that is easily explained in words.

Everyone has their own ideas about what is right and wrong, especially when it comes to revolvers. Some say don't do the things that work very well for me. In the end, I think everyone has to evaluate the information presented and decide what is best for their particular situation.

I'm running reliable 6 lb. DA on my competition guns, but more like 12 lb. DA on carry guns. There is more to it than just tuning the gun to get a reliable 6 lb. action. A lot of details in both gun and ammo must be accounted for.