A Spring Replacement Question...

[TTSH]

The time has come for me to sell off a few of my least favorite 3rd Gens so I can (hopefully) add a few more highly desirable ones without having to buy yet another gun safe.

I know that many here replace springs (recoil springs in particular) as a standard operating procedure for any new-to-them used 3rd Gens that they acquire. Others say "don't mess with it" if the gun works well as received and shows no signs of abuse or excessive wear. In that I strive to acquire top condition 3rd Gens exclusively, I have not routinely replaced springs that didn't appear to need it. I'd also rather have S&W springs in there rather than Wolff springs. Nothing at all against Wolff... just a strong preference for OEM parts when available.

Here is my question: Do any of you, as a matter of course, replace any or all springs in an S&W pistol you are going to sell? If you believe it is a good idea to replace springs when you obtain the gun, is it likewise a good idea to replace the springs again when selling the gun so that the buyer is, presumably, less likely to have a problem with the gun?

I'll leave it at that for now. Opinions please! Thank you!

 

[FifthWheel]

I'd say if it runs good leave it alone. I changed a recoil springs on a trouble free pistol once just because I thought it was due and ended up putting the old spring back in. When I buy used it's usually one of the first changes I consider doing though. I don't have any 3rd gens though, I'm just speaking in general, my opinion.

 

[D Rock]

I'd let the new owner replace the springs. That way any problems that they have will be easier to trace and they won't wonder if you did something wrong.

If you want to be really nice, include a new recoil spring but let them decide when to replace it.

Dave

 

[Jeppo]

For $2, I've ordered replacement recoil springs for all guns purchased used. However, I haven't felt the need to use any of them yet. No function issues so far.

I hope you list your guns here...I'm always on the hunt.

 

[TTSH]

Three helpful answers so far. Thank you.

I do plan to bring each such pistol to the range one last time to check it out good before putting it up for sale. I don't need any dissatisfied buyers.

In regard to letting the buyer do it, you are assuming a sophisticated buyer. I can't be sure of that. The buyer might be a first timer and you know it could go either way. He could need a new recoil spring and not know it... or he could put in a new recoil spring and have problems that I never did.

 

[Jeppo]

Three helpful answers so far. Thank you.

I do plan to bring each such pistol to the range one last time to check it out good before putting it up for sale. I don't need any dissatisfied buyers.

In regard to letting the buyer do it, you are assuming a sophisticated buyer. I can't be sure of that. The buyer might be a first timer and you know it could go either way. He could need a new recoil spring and not know it... or he could put in a new recoil spring and have problems that I never did.

You're obviously an honorable guy. I appreciate that.

I'm not sure too many first time buyers are looking for used 3rd Gen pistols...particularly since the cost would likely greater than a decent price on most any brand new S&W automatic. No?

Compromise...spend the $2 and include it in the shipment. If I end up buying from you, I'll split the $2 with you. ;-)

 

[TTSH]

You're obviously an honorable guy. I appreciate that.

I'm not sure too many first time buyers are looking for used 3rd Gen pistols...particularly since the cost would likely greater than a decent price on most any brand new S&W automatic. No?

Compromise...spend the $2 and include it in the shipment. If I end up buying from you, I'll split the $2 with you. ;-)

Well, a couple points: This is the first time in my long, sorry life that I'll be selling guns that I didn't buy brand new and don't know their entire history. All the others, so far, were bought BNIB and only used (in fact, very lightly used) by yours truly. I have extreme confidence selling guns where I was the original buyer and only owner. For guns bought used by me, I am more concerned about making sure that the new buyer will be satisfied. It's not that I am such a super-honorable guy as much as it is assuring that I won't be ending up with an unhappy buyer if it can possibly be avoided (or at least the odds minimized).

The question is mostly in regard to guns for which I would have to use (or include) Wolff aftermarket springs. I see more potential for trouble there. If it were as simple as just ordering some new factory springs from the mothership, I'd have no problem at all with that.

 

[Jeppo]

Between Brownells and Midway, I managed to find OEM recoil springs for the few older Smith semi's I own. Saying that, one of them has been on backorder a couple months.

 

[TTSH]

Between Brownells and Midway, I managed to find OEM recoil springs for the few older Smith semi's I own. Saying that, one of them has been on backorder a couple months.

I have not quite had that level of success, but maybe it's time to try again. Things change. You never know.

 

[Tex1001]

When I acquire a new automatic, I automatically install a slightly stiffer spring, if possible. I've had very good luck with this procedure.
If I were to sell, I would advise the recipient.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[GaryS]

If you replaced the spring when you bought the gun and haven't shot it a lot, I wouldn't bother.

If you didn't replace the spring and haven't shot the gun a lot, I wouldn't bother either.

If it's a gun you shot a lot, then I'd replace it. At least as long as it's not a project to find new ones.

Springs for 39xx compacts are readily available, so it's really an easy thing to do. 45xx compacts are a bit more expensive to get, so unless the gun has been shot a lot, I wouldn't bother.

I've found that it's not really a selling point for the guns I'm selling, so I wouldn't over think it.

 

[nocents]

In the last 1.5 year I have sold or traded 6 handguns and one .22 rifle. They were all local deals and each time I offered to meet at a mutually agreed upon range to verify functionality. Not one person has taken me up on that offer. I suspect they presume if I will do this function won't be an issue...Don't know but the offer was made. And it wasn't because I was such an honorable guy but probably more of a CMA scenario in the litigation happy world we finds ourselves in.

 

[Jamesatrange]

Springs only wear if being used as in cycling. I've read up on this before. So if the gun has simply sat or had low usage the spring should be fine unless it originated with a defect. The cycling of the spring material is what weakens and wears it out over time. Being under load does not. Again, from what I've read.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I sell guns that function well.

A new owner is welcome to do whatever they want. As long as the money is in my pocket first.

 

[TTSH]

If you replaced the spring when you bought the gun and haven't shot it a lot, I wouldn't bother.

If you didn't replace the spring and haven't shot the gun a lot, I wouldn't bother either.

If it's a gun you shot a lot, then I'd replace it. At least as long as it's not a project to find new ones.

Springs for 39xx compacts are readily available, so it's really an easy thing to do. 45xx compacts are a bit more expensive to get, so unless the gun has been shot a lot, I wouldn't bother.

I've found that it's not really a selling point for the guns I'm selling, so I wouldn't over think it.

I get your point. Of course, none of my 3rd Gens have seen extensive use by yours truly. I have too many of the little beasts and nowhere near enough time or ammo money.

I can assure you that none of my Model 3900 pistols or 4500 compacts are going on the chopping block. It's mostly some .40's and one ex-cop 4566TSW that I bought on-line (I bought two, time for one to go). But my question is more of a philosophical question rather than a specific one. If spring replacement is a good idea when you buy, why not when you sell too? Could it help prevent a dissatisfied buyer?

In regard to spring replacement as a selling point, I've actually gone the other way. If an owner I don't know brags about having changed out springs or other parts, it makes me suspicious that the gun may have had problems or been shot to the point of excessive wear... plus who knows if the replacements are factory or aftermarket? That said, this is a "me" issue. Other folks might appreciate that the gun has received extra care.

That just came up the other day. I didn't reject the gun but I hedged my bets somewhat. Ultimately, my offer was rejected and the gun went to someone else so who knows if I was too suspecious or avoided a potential problem?

 

[TTSH]

In the last 1.5 year I have sold or traded 6 handguns and one .22 rifle. They were all local deals and each time I offered to meet at a mutually agreed upon range to verify functionality. Not one person has taken me up on that offer. I suspect they presume if I will do this function won't be an issue...Don't know but the offer was made. And it wasn't because I was such an honorable guy but probably more of a CMA scenario in the litigation happy world we finds ourselves in.

Bingo! Not a bad idea if circumstances and personalities permit it. Could be a little problematic here in moonbat Massachusetts unless you know the buyer, but your "CMA" reasoning is spot on.

 

[TercGen]

I'm in the camp of replacing the recoil spring for any new-to-me used 3rd Gen before I fire it, with a few rare exceptions where the spring it came with appeared very fresh. Either way, it's generally a $2 preventative maintenance measure on a pistol that's been out of production for at least 9 years, and I err on the side of caution.

Just about all the 3rd Gens I've sold have still had fresh recoil springs in them due to this habit, so I haven't brought it up to the buyer. I figure if they're into buying 3rd Gens they likely already know when to change it out and are responsible for it themselves.

I guess if I felt that the buyer was green and wanted to bring it up, I would likely offer a friendly piece of advice about when I thought a change of spring should happen (ex. - 'the spring should be good for another 2 years, but then I'd follow this link to Midway and pick up another $2 spring'). That way they're learning how to fish, rather than being given a fish...

 

[nll401]

How would you test the function after replacing the spring? How many rounds/magazines through the pistol?

Assuming the pistol was working fine before any spring change, then it seems to me:

Option 1: You sell a pistol you've (presumably) used many times. You'll probably have run 100s to whatever number of rounds through it without issue. You're confident that it functions reliably.

Option 2: You sell that pistol with a new spring. You run (maybe) 50 rounds though it without issue. No issues so far.

Which is the more "known quantity"?

If you want to give the buyer a new spring to install, that's great.

 

[jbtrucker]

I have not quite had that level of success, but maybe it's time to try again. Things change. You never know.

Order direct from Wolff Springs , Service packs , recoil and mag springs should be available