DIY springs!!!

[handofzeus]

Just got my first SA working! Bought it used with a cylinder that wouldn't lock.Turns out to be a broken trigger/bolt spring. After prepping my order at Brownell's, I almost crapped at the shipping cost! $25 for a part listed at $5.99. If I have to I'll order a 3-pack, but the DIYer in me just had to take a shot at it. After gleening the web for videos of spring making and tempering, it started. The first one I made from a hacksaw blade. I scribed the outline from the old spring, and cut the flat form out with a dremel from the blade end so as to incorporate the hole and save a step. That done, I used a needlenose and torch to bend the curves in the fingers (tricky). Now the heating to bright red/orange and a quench in motor oil. Cleaned off oil with a rag and then a slow heat up again with the torch 6 inches away now, until the piece turned a dull grey. Voila! Popped her in and she works great!
After reading a bit more though. I found that the new style wire springs worked even better. So back to it. The principal is the same, only I used an old brake spring and made all the bends as "I" chose, this time. This way I controlled the tension on the bolt AND the trigger respectively. Well, long story short, it works even better than the flat spring! To anyone who tries this, be patient and be willing to observe and learn how each component interacts with the other. Good luck and have fun!

 

[gnmontey]

"$25 for a part listed at $5.99" You picked the wrong shipping option. Been down that road more than once. Brownells shipping descriptions are decieving, you have to look twice to pick the correct option and double check that the option you selected stuck.

The good news is that you will probably get the part within 5 days or less.

M

 

[burnaby]

Anyone know if Brownell will ship using USPS First-Class Mail® International?
I only see USPS Priority Mail® International which is expensive for small stuff.

 

[handofzeus]

Anyone know if Brownell will ship using USPS First-Class Mail® International?
I only see USPS Priority Mail® International which is expensive for small stuff.

I'm just going to e-mail my order and ask what the total will be with the cheapest shipping. The last time, I ordered a barrel wrench for a Dan Wesson @ $24.99 and the total was near $60.00.

 

[burnaby]

Shipping is a deal breaker.

Found a place call ecops to get Glock mags, 9 buck shipping for 3 mag.
Too bad they don't have dual recoil spring, Brownell has them but like you I don't want the shipping to be more than parts.

 

[handofzeus]

I am now the the proud MANUFACTURER of a new bolt! After realizing that the timing was a bit off, I checked the hands and the pawl which seem fairly sharp and decided to give the trigger and bolt a once over. Turns out that the bolt had a very worn finger. Of course it's the one that does all the work, engaging the trigger! Well, this one was extra hard to tackle.
6 hours of measuring, grinding , tracing , filing and finally tempering, and with a little extra fitting and finnicking I now have a functioning bolt with near perfect timing! Lord I wish I had a hobby lathe! It took 3 attempts and 2 old wrenches sacrificed themselves for the steel, but it was worth it. I also gained a crapload of respect for those old time gunsmiths too!!

 

[handofzeus]

"Of course it's the one that does all the work, engaging the trigger! "
^^^^^^^I mean't, it's the one that engages the hammer!!

 

[j.krug]

Nice! Good on you for making up the parts for your handgun. I'm a machinist and have the skill and machines to do it but I don't think I'd be brave enough to do it.

 

[handofzeus]

Nice! Good on you for making up the parts for your handgun. I'm a machinist and have the skill and machines to do it but I don't think I'd be brave enough to do it.

Thanks. I liked the challenge, but more to the point....I'm really cheap! A new Colt bolt from the U.S. would be $90 with shipping and would probably still need fitting.