Reduced power cylinder release spring?

[c good]

In Jerry Mikulek's "Trigger Job" DVD he suggests cutting a coil or two off of this spring to let the cylinder spin a little more freely. I like keeping all my original parts original. Does anyone make a reduced power version of this spring? Thanks for any info. c good

[armorer951]

If you are talking about the very small coil spring that is at the rear of the bolt, (bolt plunger spring) I'm not aware of anyone making a reduced power spring for that location.
Proper cylinder/yoke alignment, fitting, cleaning and lubrication are more important when considering ways to improve cylinder rotation/resistance. Although it's a pretty common practice in target and PPC revolvers, cutting that particular spring would have little effect on the cylinder rotation.

[chief38]

What ^^^^^^^^^^^ said!

[tomcatt51]

I clip the spring leaving it just long enough the release is (barely) held forward with the cylinder closed.

Does it really help? Maybe, possibly, perhaps, a little. I clip them because, while I'm doing everything else, why not?

If you "like keeping all my original parts original" buy another OEM spring, they're cheap, available and nothing special or "collectable".

[stu1ritter]

While clipping the bolt return spring helps some, I think most of the pressure release on the cylinder comes from removing the 40 - 60 thou from the limiting ridge on the back of the bolt thumb piece. THAT really lightens the spring pressure in the closed position. At least, that's the way I read Jerry's DVD.

Stu

[KAC]

What Stu said. I always check this as part of my action work.

KAC

[tomcatt51]

Originally Posted by KAC

What Stu said. I always check this as part of my action work.

KAC

+1 Some need trimmed, some don't. With the bolt in place and the cylinder closed, the release should drop in place without having to push the bolt forward. If it doesn't, the release needs trimmed.

[chief38]

Personally, I think that unless you are a serious competitive shooter this particular modification is needed like we all need another recession. This one is REALLY splitting hairs on a mosquitos back.

[tomcatt51]

Originally Posted by chief38

This one is REALLY splitting hairs on a mosquitos back.

In a way I agree. One thing I like about trimming the release so it isn't holding the center pin forward is just that, it isn't holding the center pin forward so the center pin is fully engaged in the recoil sheild.

[chief38]

When it comes to the Colt SAA Revolver the Hand Assembly Spring makes a significant difference and is worth tweaking which I always do while tuning one. I never gave the Bolt Plunger Spring much thought on a Smith because of the small little weak spring that it is. Just for Giggles I'll try it one of these day.

[armorer951]

As Stu said, removing material from the rear portion of the "stem" of the thumbpiece often has a positive impact on cylinder rotation by relieving pressure on the area where the end of the center pin contacts the front of the bolt. You can check for binding of an existing thumbpiece by doing a safety check.....then, with the action closed, simply remove the nut inside the thumbpiece, then try to lift the thumbpiece straight up off of the bolt stem. If it's in a bind, it will be difficult to remove with your fingers, unless you open the action to relieve the pressure on the part. To see if altering the part will have the desired effect, remove the thumbpiece and close the action.....then try spinning the cylinder while it's in battery/closed. (pull hammer partially back to drop the cylinder stop out of the way) If the cylinder rotation is markedly improved you can remove a bit of material from the back of the TP......allowing it to move a bit farther back in the slot when the cyl is closed. The only caution here is not to remove too much material, as you can create a situation where the thumbpiece will be "loose" in the slot when the cyl is open.....or it will be moved so far back that the front of the slot in the frame will be visible under the front of the thumbpiece when it's installed and the action is closed. Another "invisible" way to improve the rotation......along with proper maintenance, cyl. alignment, etc.

[tomcatt51]

How much material you remove from the thumbpiece/cylinder release is non-critical as long as you remove enough so the bolt isn't holding the center pin forward. Removing a bit "too much" is no big deal as the bolt spring will hold the bolt and thumpiece forward in (light) contact with the center pin. That's assuming you didn't clip the spring too much...