[Texas Moon]

I am bummed.
Was sitting here working on the new Walker and the mainspring broke! :cuss:
This thing was TWO WEEKS old!!!!!
Oh well. Got an order in to VTI for a new replacement.
Its too cold outside anyway.

[BHP FAN]

Probably broke because it was so cold.Those things are made in sunny italy,you know...

[pohill]

In one of the gunsmithing books (either by Sam Fadala or David Chicoine) it says that if you scratch a mainspring, it will break at that scratch sooner than later.

[Oyeboten]

Bummer...


Better now though than if you were in a desperate SD situation!

[Freightman]

My copy of Gunsmithing at Home shows how to make your own flat springs, your Library probably has a copy.

[rcflint]

If the Walker mainspring was the same as the Dragoon, it would be easier to replace, and not so easily broken, but it is what it is. When you get the new spring, grind and or stone all the rough edges and surfaces to remove the lines and grooves and tear marks that Uberti doesn't clean up, which is most all of the side edges, and often the flat faces as well, then break the resulting sharp corners a but so you don't get cut handling it. As prevoiusly mentioned, any nick or deep scratch in the spring is where it will break under stress.

[Hellgate]

I always pad my vise grip clamps with cardboard (tablet backing) when compressing the spring. Otherwise, I don't take my Walkers apart for years. Just spray oil into the innards and leave it be unless it's broke.

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

I understand you wanting to learn the piece and that you were interested in knowing how (and doing) to remove and replace the mainspring. I'vd had mine out several times in years gone by but it has been a long long time since I'vd done it. There's nothing there that need's cleaning that a good spray with something like 'Gun Scrubbber' (which is available at the sporting goods section of any Wal-Mart) won't take care of. I'vd never had one break and I'm thankful for that. Believe me, my Walkers stay CLEAN. All of my guns stay clean and on all of them there are just some parts I don't bother to take down every time I clean....

[Texas Moon]

Actually the spring broke after completely reassembling the gun.
Had tapped the wedge in and was cocking it to test cylinder clearance when POP!
Took the grip off and the spring had snapped in two right in the center of the large lower bend.
Could of sworn I had never damaged it.
Oh well.......not a biggie really. New parts on the way.
Took the opportunity to order ALL the springs in the gun.

[txapacheguy]

I had that happen to a Pietta '51 Confederate Navy a few weeks ago... The pistol was practically brand new out of the box. It had never been fired, and the action had probably only been cycled several dozen times. I took it apart to do some 'smithing' on the bolt and was testing it after reassembly. Thankfully, I had already taken the advice of some of you guys and had a spare waiting. At least now maybe you wont feel like you are the only one to ever have this happen to you!!!