I have a question about testing the hammer spring weight as described in the FAQ. I am referring to the FAQ section titled "Test Hammer Spring". I have reviewed some previous threads, but I am not sure I understand how to take this measurement correctly.

I understand that the revolver should be held vertically with the trigger held fully back. Is the measurement taken with the hammer fully lowered? If so, how is the string looped around the hammer? Is it looped around the hammer spur? I think it must matter how close the string is to the end of the hammer. Is this correct? Also, one of my revolvers, is a factory DAO model 64 with a spurless hammer.

Can anyone provide a picture which shows the hammer and string while testing the hammer spring weight?

I also have some related questions about mainspring weights.

Has anyone compared these hammer weight measurements between Wolff and Smith and Wesson springs? In other words, if the hammer weight is similar with different brand springs, is the reliability also similar?

What hammer weights have people found fully reliable with .38? With .357?

Does anyone have a hammer weight that seems too light to work, but is competition reliable with specific ammo. I am curious what the ultimate limits are even though my primary interests are duty reliability.

I do understand that it is most important to test actual function with each revolver, but I find that measurements provide helpful guidelines.

By the way, this is my first real post. I have been a long time lurker, and I frequently use this site as a reference. I greatly appreciate the contributions that many long time members have made on this forum. Thank you.

The attached photo from "the manual" may answer some of your questions about testing mainspring weight. I'm not sure if this appears elsewhere. They are using "NRA style" trigger pull weights in the illustrations. Similar weights are available at Brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod9707.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod9710.aspx

As to aftermarket springs, the trusted name brands seem to have proven to be generally reliable over the years.

Your question about the "lightest" possible reliable weight is gun specific, so it would be pointless to make statements that would be true "across the board", so to speak.

If you're using MS Windows, you can use the "shift and the +key" to make the screen larger and make the photo more "readable".

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Ret LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thank you armorer951. The diagram is very helpful.