Revolver mainsprings- thank you, Mr. Wolff!

[josquin]

I've been doing some tuning on a S%W 625 I bought on the EE a while ago. I did the usual internal polishing - rebound slide, hammer and trigger friction points, etc., and a slightly lighter rebound spring, which resulted in a little improvement and I was able to reduce the trigger pull a little.

I just installed a Brownell's/Wolff standard-weight "Power Rib" mainspring and this has made quite a difference. I don't have a trigger pull gauge but I'd say it has reduced the apparent weight by perhaps 25%, and this is using CCI #300 primers, reputed to be the least sensitive. I have Remington #2 1/2 primers on order - supposed to be more sensitive than CCI - so it will be interesting to see if I can reduce the mainspring weight even further. (I can't use Federal primers as I am using a Lee priming tool and they warn against using Federal primers for fear of accidental detonation.)

ps- Thanks to RHall for the 625 and Dogleg for the advice on drilling out primer flash holes so the primers don't back out when firing "primer-only" loads for testing.

Stuart

 

[Silverback]

I have Wolff gunsprings in most of my guns, they make excellent springs.

 

[buckbrush]

you will never get as good an action job on a stainless gun as you can on an identical carbon steel gun, stainless is just stickier. Wolf springs are great. 625 is a great, useful piece.

 

[RePete]

I've been using Federal Primers with the Lee tool for years and never had an explosion.

Don't forget to keep the strain screw tightened all the way in. It isn't an adjustment screw.

 

[josquin]

I've been using Federal Primers with the Lee tool for years and never had an explosion.

True- it probably will never happen; I've heard the same comment from a number of folks. But I'd rather not take the chance. And the trigger pull is good enough with the Wolff spring that I don't think I need to bother.

Don't forget to keep the strain screw tightened all the way in. It isn't an adjustment screw.

Probably not originally intended as such, but according to Patrick Sweeney's "Gunsmithing Pistols and Revolvers" ("Timing and tuning your revolver", pg. 224) it can be used for adjustment. He suggests using a set screw up through the bottom of the frame to ensure that it doesn't shift from recoil. Mine has a round butt and drilling for a set screw could be a bit tricky, so I'm experimenting with anti-seize thread compound to hold it in place. I have also seen Loctite Purple suggested; apparently it allows a little adjustment without messing up the bond. We shall see...

Stuart

 

[RePete]

True- it probably will never happen; I've heard the same comment from a number of folks. But I'd rather not take the chance. And the trigger pull is good enough with the Wolff spring that I don't think I need to bother.



Probably not originally intended as such, but according to Patrick Sweeney's "Gunsmithing Pistols and Revolvers" ("Timing and tuning your revolver", pg. 224) it can be used for adjustment. He suggests using a set screw up through the bottom of the frame to ensure that it doesn't shift from recoil. Mine has a round butt and drilling for a set screw could be a bit tricky, so I'm experimenting with anti-seize thread compound to hold it in place. I have also seen Loctite Purple suggested; apparently it allows a little adjustment without messing up the bond. We shall see...

Stuart

Builders of PPC guns put the lock screw in the base of the grip.

Anti-seize compound is not a locking agent, it's more of a lubricant.

 

[josquin]

..Anti-seize compound is not a locking agent, it's more of a lubricant.

True- just the opposite of what I want to achieve! Loctite Purple is llkely to be a better bet. I need something that will stop it from vibrating loose but still allow minor adjustment- a flexible threadlocker. Even silicone seal might work.

Stuart

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

I really wouldn't worry about a primer "detonating" josquin.

I used the lee loader kit to load my mosin nagant ammo because I'm an often broke student. You use a hammer and rod to pound each primer into place while holding the assembly together with your left hand. I had about one in every 40 primers go off in my hand, and it's just a loud noise and some black gunk on your palm.

It's really no big deal; primers "pop" rather than "detonate".

I do use a lee priming tool for my mosin ammo now though, because it's so much faster.

 

[josquin]

...You use a hammer and rod to pound each primer into place while holding the assembly together with your left hand. I had about one in every 40 primers go off in my hand, and it's just a loud noise and some black gunk on your palm...

I'm quite aware of the explosive qualities of primers alone as I've been using primed-only brass to check for reliable ignition in my 625.

An individual primer going off may not be particularly dangerous. But I believe what they're (Lee) worried about is an entire tray going off. Highly unlikely, perhaps; I've read elsewhere as well of others using the Lee Auto Prime with Federal primers w/o incident. But I'd rather not face the quincequonces! At the advanced age of 56 I still have all my fingers and I'd like to keep it that way. And I kinda like my eyes, even if they're not quite as good as they used to be.

In any case, I have Remington primers on order and even with the CCI the trigger pull is pretty darn good.

Stuart