Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > S&W-Smithing
o

Notices

S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-26-2016, 11:43 PM
riversalmon riversalmon is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Liked 60 Times in 32 Posts
Default N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs

Can someone tell me if LA main springs are somehow different { ie longer} than SA springs and what might be compatible. I need to reduce the weight on my 2nd model 44 spl and an N frame Wolf power spring does not work. If incompatible with newer springs , how can the original spring be altered to reduce power. Thanks SR
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-27-2016, 01:48 AM
Alk8944's Avatar
Alk8944 Alk8944 is offline
Member
N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sandy Utah
Posts: 8,616
Likes: 1,554
Liked 8,611 Times in 3,452 Posts
Default

Always have found K/L mainsprings are the same regardless of the age of the revolver. Why are you so obsessed with reducing the mainspring tension? For most the length of pull is more the issue on N Frame guns, not the spring weight!
__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-27-2016, 10:17 AM
riversalmon riversalmon is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Liked 60 Times in 32 Posts
Default

My issue is with excessive spring weight. This particular revolver has a DA pull greater than my trigger scale will measure. Obsession has nothing to do with it I'm trying to find someone with experience on long action n frame main springs and how to reduce their strength. Thanks for your reply
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-27-2016, 10:28 AM
29aholic 29aholic is offline
Banned
N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bolivar, MO
Posts: 6,360
Likes: 3,558
Liked 3,241 Times in 1,099 Posts
Default

To my knowledge all K/L/N springs are the same. If you have a post war gun take the springs and set them side by side and check the dimensions. The pre-war ones may seem more rebust, but again, I believe they are the same.

If they are, email me or text me your address and I will send you one to play with. I have taken factory springs and narrowed them where at the point they bow the most under full cock which you can pinpoint with the grips and side plate off.
[email protected] or 417 861-2362
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-27-2016, 10:46 AM
CScott's Avatar
CScott CScott is offline
Member
N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs  
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: N. New Mexico
Posts: 422
Likes: 1,715
Liked 632 Times in 205 Posts
Default

I use a mainspring from a Model 29-2 in my early Triple Lock shooter and it works just fine. I am keeping the original aside because it has some severe rust and I am afraid it will break if used. The two springs appear to be identical and they seem to result in similar DA pull weight.
I wish I had a pull weight gauge that would register the heavier DA pull accurately.
Scott
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-27-2016, 10:57 AM
Protocall_Design Protocall_Design is online now
Vendor
N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Kansas City area
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 53,433
Liked 13,435 Times in 4,240 Posts
Default

The easiest way to make a spring have less tension is to put a large radius bend in the middle, adjusting it to where it is how you want. A properly tempered spring will stay where you put it. S&W mainsprings are normally very good in this regard, except for the stainless ones. Those have an S stamped on them. All the mainsprings are the same, K/L/N, except for minor variations due to manufacturing tolerances.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-27-2016, 11:17 AM
riversalmon riversalmon is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Liked 60 Times in 32 Posts
Default

Thank You 29 and ToolGuyand Scott, This particular spring is approx. '31 2nd model. And ROBUST is the correct term here. I have spoken with an older Smith Wesson gentleman and he had mentioned the thinning of springs when he worked with Bob Chow and the King Sight Co. in Cal. Unfortunately because of the passage of time he can no longer work on my gun. I was apprehensive of taking a file to this one as I have no experience and no replacement. Will do some more checking let you know what I find. I do appreciate yor responses. RS

Last edited by riversalmon; 09-27-2016 at 11:20 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-27-2016, 03:37 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is offline
Member
N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,480
Likes: 236
Liked 28,943 Times in 14,013 Posts
Default

Not a K or N frame, but I once thinned a Colt C&B flat hammer spring by using a polishing wheel in order to lighten the trigger pull - polish and measure, repeat, repeat. It took a lot of polishing. I didn't want to use a grinder for fear of the spring metal losing its temper.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-28-2016, 12:27 PM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

If you do grind on a spring, keep the temperature down. When it starts to heat up stop and let cool off.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-28-2016, 04:31 PM
steelslaver's Avatar
steelslaver steelslaver is online now
US Veteran
N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs N frame long action main spring vs Short action main springs  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Montana
Posts: 13,625
Likes: 12,742
Liked 39,091 Times in 9,966 Posts
Default

You would need to get a spring above 800f to effect its temper.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
short action grip on long action riversalmon S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 3 12-02-2012 03:13 AM
trouble assembling main spring S&W model 1 1/2 top break single action .32 hobby-gunsmith S&W-Smithing 0 05-02-2012 01:49 PM
S&W Long Action verus Short Action jimmyj The Lounge 1 11-21-2010 08:58 PM
Is there a stickie or tutorial on changing J frame trigger/main springs? Rule3 S&W-Smithing 16 11-15-2010 12:49 PM
1948 M&P Short Action and 1947 M&P Long Action (Photos) Denver Dick S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 5 03-20-2009 05:49 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:01 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)