Question on coil springs in auto pistols

[delta-419]

I have a Walther PPS 9x18 that had several FTF rounds in recently reloaded ammo. The hits looked strong and were hit several times. I disassembled the rounds and tried them in the gun without bullet or powder. Some fired and some did not. I loaded several cases with a different primer brand, Federal sm pistol primers and all fired. My question has evolved from focus on the primers to the hammer spring performance. The hammer spring is a long coil spring thru the grip frame. How do I determine if the spring needs replacement? It looks easy enough to take out and switch with a new one, if necessary. The gun is a 1970s production police turn-in. I intend to use it as my carry piece. Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

Have you tried shooting various brand rounds of factory ammo? Also, check the firing pin for protrusion. Is the hammer spring a replacement? If not i would give the hammer spring a good stretch and try shooting the gun after you stretch the spring.
Nick

 

[AJ]

Springs loose tension over time. Stretching it only delays a problem. Buy a new spring and replace the one in your gun. Some primers are harder than others. Try different primers to see if any fail in your pistol consistently. Same with ammo, check various brands to see if any give you problems.

 

[Pisgah]

When a gun suddenly ceases working as it should and starts misbehaving on newly-reloaded ammo, I look at the ammo first unless there's something obviously amiss with the gun. Fresh factory ammo makes things easier to diagnose -- if that won't work, there's a gun problem.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Have you tried the basic "pencil down the bore" test? You can actually get a decent idea how hard your firing pin / striker is hitting by putting a pencil, wooden dowel, etc down the bore, pointing the muzzle straight up and pulling the trigger. Some of mine will bounce the pencil off the ceiling, some barely get it out of the bore, but that does the job.

 

[Greyman50]

Have you tried the basic "pencil down the bore" test? You can actually get a decent idea how hard your firing pin / striker is hitting by putting a pencil, wooden dowel, etc down the bore, pointing the muzzle straight up and pulling the trigger. Some of mine will bounce the pencil off the ceiling, some barely get it out of the bore, but that does the job.

Yes with the pencil in the bore. Excellent method to practice sight alignment, breathing control and trigger control. Attach piece of white cardboard to door or wall, insert pencil, stand so muzzle is an inch or so away from cardboard. Cock pistol or revolver, insert pencil and " fire" at cardboard. Next, aim at the dot and follow procedures. Way cheaper and less noise. From an older AMU training manual.

 

[AJ]

Yes with the pencil in the bore. Excellent method to practice sight alignment, breathing control and trigger control. Attach piece of white cardboard to door or wall, insert pencil, stand so muzzle is an inch or so away from cardboard. Cock pistol or revolver, insert pencil and " fire" at cardboard. Next, aim at the dot and follow procedures. Way cheaper and less noise. From an older AMU training manual.

Was taught the same thing in the Cors by old Match Team shooters....

 

[Greyman50]

Would love to know where some of the 1911 match pistols, 41 Smiths, High Standard Supermatics , the converted 1911s to shoot 38 Spl , Mdl. 52 Smiths and Colt Mid Ranges are now that " the old guys" had. I have a Military match 1911, a Supermatic Citation and MidRange but those in the 70s were " sweet".

 

[AJ]

Would love to know where some of the 1911 match pistols, 41 Smiths, High Standard Supermatics , the converted 1911s to shoot 38 Spl , Mdl. 52 Smiths and Colt Mid Ranges are now that " the old guys" had. I have a Military match 1911, a Supermatic Citation and MidRange but those in the 70s were " sweet".

I shoot an original Colt Series 70 Gold Cup National Match, a S&W Model 52 and a couple of match grade .22's (Browning Medalist and a Walter OSP).

Probably the armories have some of the old school match guns. Some have been sold and quite a few were possibly presented as retirement presents when shooters retired.

 

[delta-419]

Update on Hunt for Hammer Springs

I spoke with a tech at Wolf Springs about a hammer spring for the Walther PPS 9x18 Police Ultra. It is not listed in their comprehensive list of Walther replacement springs. The tech had never encountered this model pistol. I do not have s source for a hammer spring. In my research, gun writers estimate that only about 2500-3000 were manufactured (no real stats). Parts are an issue! I did follow everyone's advice on the pencil test and it did clear the muzzle about 18"s. It will remain in the gun. Current solution, Federal primers do work better. The Argentine primers are hard and my Walther does not like them. If you have one of these guns please share your source for parts or if you know of changeability with other models, let us know.

 

[WR Moore]

That kinda depends upon the ballistics of the 9x18 cartridge. Per Wiki, it's very similar to the 9x17mm. So, I rather doubt that Walther cooked up a special hammer or recoil spring for the Ultra version.

 

[AJ]

That kinda depends upon the ballistics of the 9x18 cartridge. Per Wiki, it's very similar to the 9x17mm. So, I rather doubt that Walther cooked up a special hammer or recoil spring for the Ultra version.

Not that expensive to get one and compare them. Or ask Walther Custom Service.