|
|
11-22-2021, 07:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: OC
Posts: 442
Likes: 29
Liked 81 Times in 45 Posts
|
|
3rd Gen mainspring change interval?
Generally whenever I buy a used pistol the first thing I do is change the recoil spring. But now I have the grips off my new to me 4006 to change them out for a new one and I noticed that the mainspring is very easily accessed, much more easily than on Sig pistols for instance. Should I change it out while I’ve got the grips off? I don’t know the round count interval for a mainspring and I haven’t been able to find it anywhere.
|
11-22-2021, 07:54 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 3,513
Liked 6,728 Times in 2,620 Posts
|
|
I have never changed one, ever. No problems. That said, if some idiot had it before you and was cutting off coils, etc., then replace it. The more important spring to look at is the recoil spring. That one may need changing. Maybe not, but I would think it would be the first to need replacing.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-22-2021, 07:58 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: OC
Posts: 442
Likes: 29
Liked 81 Times in 45 Posts
|
|
Thanks. My 4006 was a well maintained LE trade in so I’m not worried about the spring being modified. I changed out the recoil spring already but sounds like I don’t need to mess with the mainspring.
|
11-22-2021, 07:58 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Under the Tonto Rim
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 13,497
Liked 2,503 Times in 928 Posts
|
|
FWIW, Since shortly after they were introduced, I've owned various 3rd. Gen pistols in .45 ACP, 9MM, 10MM, etc. I don't think I've ever changed a mainspring, and don't recall ever having light primer strikes, etc. IMHO, certainly couldn't hurt to install a new mainspring if you have one though.
__________________
NRA Life, COTEP 640
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-22-2021, 09:53 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In The Woods Of S.C.
Posts: 8,833
Likes: 13,927
Liked 13,636 Times in 4,936 Posts
|
|
I've never changed ANY spring in my 3rd gen 9/40/10/45. If they act up years in the future I will attend to it then.
__________________
S&W Accumulator
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-22-2021, 10:02 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 736
Likes: 2,823
Liked 518 Times in 278 Posts
|
|
Its cheap insurance ...Ive changed every recoil spring and magazine spring in every used pistol I've bought. never bothered with the mainsprings however/
__________________
S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-23-2021, 07:47 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,712
Likes: 19,273
Liked 11,732 Times in 5,350 Posts
|
|
I am not aware of a change interval for the mainspring, but I would say that it might not be a bad idea if you strip the pistol to the point that you have to remove the spring. I would think this would be especially true of a pistol that is purchased as a used firearm.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-23-2021, 12:26 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Foothills of the Ozarks
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 10,598
Liked 5,549 Times in 2,170 Posts
|
|
As most here already know, the mainspring does more than just power the hammer.
It aids the recoil spring during the firing cycle.
A 40 caliber cartridge is harder on pistols than a 9mm or 45, so it would be a good idea to replace it if uncertain of its age.
Be aware, a new mainspring will likely increase the weight of the double action trigger pull, but if it does, it means it is protecting the pistol better than the old one was.
John
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-23-2021, 03:17 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: OC
Posts: 442
Likes: 29
Liked 81 Times in 45 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnHL
As most here already know, the mainspring does more than just power the hammer.
It aids the recoil spring during the firing cycle.
A 40 caliber cartridge is harder on pistols than a 9mm or 45, so it would be a good idea to replace it if uncertain of its age.
Be aware, a new mainspring will likely increase the weight of the double action trigger pull, but if it does, it means it is protecting the pistol better than the old one was.
John
|
Good point about .40. Even though the 4006 is stainless steel it still will take more of a beating than other mainstream calibers short of something like .357Sig (I do wish S&W had made a .357 3rd Gen though).
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-23-2021, 04:00 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Foothills of the Ozarks
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 10,598
Liked 5,549 Times in 2,170 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattB
Good point about .40. Even though the 4006 is stainless steel it still will take more of a beating than other mainstream calibers short of something like .357Sig (I do wish S&W had made a .357 3rd Gen though).
|
Stainless steel frames are why I converted a 4006 and a 4006TSW to 357 Sig!
Too much stress for the alloy framed pistols.
And yes, I upgraded the recoil and main springs.
John
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-23-2021, 04:40 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: OC
Posts: 442
Likes: 29
Liked 81 Times in 45 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnHL
Stainless steel frames are why I converted a 4006 and a 4006TSW to 357 Sig!
Too much stress for the alloy framed pistols.
And yes, I upgraded the recoil and main springs.
John
|
Where were you able to find a .357Sig barrel for a 4006? My only .357 is a Glock 32 but I really like the cartridge.
|
11-23-2021, 04:45 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,625
Likes: 636
Liked 6,861 Times in 2,541 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrmike7189
Its cheap insurance ...Ive changed every recoil spring and magazine spring in every used pistol I've bought. never bothered with the mainsprings however/
|
Me too. But I also change the firing pin spring since it comes in the pack with the recoil spring. A friend of mine inherited his cousin’s early 4506. Gun was very beat up. I got the spring pack and changed most of them, including the main spring.
|
11-23-2021, 08:17 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Foothills of the Ozarks
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 10,598
Liked 5,549 Times in 2,170 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattB
Where were you able to find a .357Sig barrel for a 4006? My only .357 is a Glock 32 but I really like the cartridge.
|
I didn't.
I used 5906TSW barrels and reamed the chambers to .357 Sig.
I also had to change the angle of the barrel camming lugs on the 5906TSW barrel to work in the 4006 non-TSW.
I like the cartridge, too!
John
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-24-2021, 02:48 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: N.E. OKLA.
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 5,857
Liked 9,264 Times in 3,478 Posts
|
|
Every used 3rd Gen I've purchased got a thorough cleaning & a fresh set of all the common springs: recoil, firing pin, mainspring & magazine springs.
They're 25-30 year old guns that have been who knows where with who knows who & I want to start my relation with them from a known good starting point & that begins with new springs, always.
.
__________________
Waiting for the break of day
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-24-2021, 09:51 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,712
Likes: 19,273
Liked 11,732 Times in 5,350 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnHL
As most here already know, the mainspring does more than just power the hammer.
It aids the recoil spring during the firing cycle.
A 40 caliber cartridge is harder on pistols than a 9mm or 45, so it would be a good idea to replace it if uncertain of its age.
Be aware, a new mainspring will likely increase the weight of the double action trigger pull, but if it does, it means it is protecting the pistol better than the old one was.
John
|
Truth has been spoken!
A lighter weight or worn mainspring will make for a lighter trigger, but at the expense of faster breech unlocking and higher slide velocity during the extraction phase. A heavier mainspring will increase the trigger pull, but also applies more forward pressure on the slide at the moment of firing, thus delaying the unlocking of the breech, which means the bullet is further along or completely clear of the barrel, resulting in less gas pressure forcing the slide backwards and less slide velocity during extraction.
A heavier mainspring is far better than a heavier recoil spring when trying to balance the forces in a semi-automatic pistol.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-24-2021, 10:10 AM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GSO NC
Posts: 6,106
Likes: 23,604
Liked 13,182 Times in 2,860 Posts
|
|
In a high round count 40 pistol? Yeah, I might change ALL the springs. But not in a 9mm or a 45. In those I only keep up with the recoil springs and mag springs. I have cleaned firing pin springs and the firing pin channel too, but saw no reason to replace the springs.
Member Dave Nash addressed this once before here. In a well used pistol, everything "settles in". And as long as the pistol functions properly, leave it alone. In many thousands of rounds - 9K through a value line 457 / 19K through a value line 910 - I never changed the mainsprings. Just the recoil and mag springs. The 457 still runs great. The 910, I cracked the frame at 19K rounds. Its a parts gun now.
IIRC, member CALREB discussed this topic as well. Telling us that the recoil springs in the 4566 and 4506-1 did not necessarily need the factory suggested "3K round" change interval. Only change them when the recoil spring takes a 1/4 inch set or the gun starts to experience malfunctions. No mention of having to change mainsprings.
In an aluminum framed pistol, I would change recoil springs sooner, usually at the factory recommended interval, unless it was a small 9mm or 45, like a Chief Special. Those I change at around 1500 rounds. But I see no need to touch the mainspring on those guns either. If it ain't broke.... Regards 18DAI
__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-29-2021, 12:28 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: OC
Posts: 442
Likes: 29
Liked 81 Times in 45 Posts
|
|
I went ahead and changed out the mainspring on my 4006. Both the new and old spring were the same length with the same only notable difference being the new spring is shinier than the old one. No noticeable change to the trigger pull after the change. May not have been necessary but changing both recoil and main springs is cheap preventative maintenance on a .40 pistol. And one of the nice things about the 3rd gen design is how easy it is to change the springs. Changing a mainspring on a Sig is a massive pain by comparison.
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|