J frame spring replacement

390beretta · Aug 23, 2010

I recently ordered 3 rebound springs and 1 hammer spring from Wolff's (called the shooter's pack, I believe). The Wolff site indicates the factory spring is 8.5 lbs. The one they sent me in the pack was 8 lbs. After installing the new hammer spring, I had 2 failure to fires out of the 5 rounds. I'm amazed that 1/2 lb. difference could cause such reliability issues. I'm also surprised that Wolff would sell such an unreliable product.

The mid-range rebound spring works fine and it in itself seems to have significantly improved the double action trigger pull.

Thoughts/suggestions please?

H Richard · Aug 23, 2010

I am not a big fan of Wolf main springs for S&W's. Too much unreliability of ignition. I do replace rebound slide springs, and lightly stone a few parts and get a smooth trigger, but not a "match grade" trigger. If you want a reliable but lighter trigger, it's in the stoning, not the mainspring. Stay with the stock spring. There are lots of qualified gunsmith's and S&W does trigger jobs also.

bountyhunter · Aug 23, 2010

390beretta said:
I recently ordered 3 rebound springs and 1 hammer spring from Wolff's (called the shooter's pack, I believe). The Wolff site indicates the factory spring is 8.5 lbs. The one they sent me in the pack was 8 lbs. After installing the new hammer spring, I had 2 failure to fires out of the 5 rounds. I'm amazed that 1/2 lb. difference could cause such reliability issues. I'm also surprised that Wolff would sell such an unreliable product.

The mid-range rebound spring works fine and it in itself seems to have significantly improved the double action trigger pull.

Thoughts/suggestions please?

Wolff has a large warning on their site that reducing the strength of mainsprings carries a risk and should never be doen on service or duty weapons.

In most cases, a stock set of springs has at least 20 - 30% more power than is needed to ignite most ammo. IMHO, if you actually only reduced it 1/2 pound, the misfires make me suspect something else is going on. Some possibilities:

1) hard primers

2) cylinder end shake "absorbing" some hammer energy

3) hammer rubbing side of frame

4) mainspring 'stacking" as it is cocked reducing spring force

I am wondering if it is only the spring causing the misfires.

tomcatt51 · Aug 23, 2010

bountyhunter said:
IMHO, if you actually only reduced it 1/2 pound, the misfires make me suspect something else is going on.

Reloads that don't have the primers fully seated?

Elmer · Aug 23, 2010

Which J is it?

Older generation, or newer one?

buckyjames1 · Aug 23, 2010

suggestion

Just some suggestions and food for thought cause I believe there might be a bit more going on as well:

-How old is the revolver? how many rds through it? check hammer and spring.

- Was it factory reloads or hand loads?
- check factory for recalls
- possible bad batch?
It could possible be just a bad rebound spring. I'm sure Wolf would send you another just to be safe.

Just seems a bit excessive for FTF due to spring
Anyone elses opinions?

Black_Sheep · Aug 23, 2010

I've used Wolff springs in several J-Frames with 100% reliability. Did you try putting the original hammer spring back in? If it still misfires, other problems exist...

bountyhunter · Aug 24, 2010

tomcatt51 said:
Reloads that don't have the primers fully seated?

Yep, that will do it too.

chief38 · Aug 26, 2010

390beretta,

You did not state what model this gun is, but because you did state that it is a J-Frame I will take a "cheap shot" and go with the theory that it is a carry gun for self protection. (IF MY ASSUMPTION IS INCORRECT - I APOLOGIZE RIGHT NOW).

That said, I always recommend that guys who are working on a "carry gun" (especially a J-Frame .......due to it's small & light hammer) leave the original springs in! You have just experienced a failure to fire due to too light a hit. If this was a target ONLY or pinking ONLY type gun, then it's not a big deal if you get a miss fire here and there, but it is a big deal when someone is shooting back at you or coming at you with a knife.

The best and oldest tried & true method of smoothing out a gun is to shoot the crap out of it, clean & LIGHTLY lubricate it.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents

Regards,
chief38

J frame spring replacement

390beretta

H Richard

US Veteran

bountyhunter

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tomcatt51

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Elmer

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buckyjames1

US Veteran

Black_Sheep

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bountyhunter

Member

chief38

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