[roc1]

What is the best way to change springs out on the Ruger revolvers without springs getting away from you? The mainspring has a lot of tension and I would like to change it on my gun but I was wondering the easiest and safest way?
Thanks
roc1

[BillyBothHands]

I've never worked on an sp101, but I do have a suggestion. If i have a part that I believe might fly away on me i generally get things disassembled to that final step then cover the work with a heavy fabric (i've used a blanket, pair of jeans found laying in the floor, etc) just reach under and pull things apart by feel and if something happens to jump out it should be trapped or at least slowed way down lol.

I also have a coffee can with a big piece of dense foam in the bottom i use when working on 1911's since I have a habit of being clumsy when taking off firing pin plates. When I lose control of one it just shoots out in the can lol.

You get the general Idea. Hope it helps!

[BlkHawk73]

Do it all inside a clear plastic bag. If things spring, they stay in the bag.

[rcmodel]

Cock it and put a punch or nail in the hole in the strut and remove the spring/strut assembly.
Then clamp the strut in a vice and use a pair of needle-nose pliers to compress and remove the punch and sping.

PS: It's gonna be a lot harder then necessary to do inside a plastic bag.

rc

[VA27]

Unless it's going to be a 'range only' gun, keep the factory springs in it. Dry-fire a thousand times with each hand. That'll smooth up the action and build up your trigger muscles at the same time.

[Mooseman]

+1 on the dry firing. If your going to lighten the spring I don't recommend getting a super light one. I put a 12 lb spring in mine IIRC and it's never struck light for me.

[kdstrick]

What is the best way to change springs out on the Ruger revolvers without springs getting away from you? The mainspring has a lot of tension and I would like to change it on my gun but I was wondering the easiest and safest way?

Use a fork. That SP101 mainspring is way too heavy, it can be reduced with absolutely no reduction in reliability. The DA trigger pull is heavy, not because of superduperstrong primers, but because of lawyers.

I wouldn't mess with the trigger spring, though... if you lighten it the trigger return will be weak.

Check out this thread for some good tips...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=174831