Replacement SAA Mainsprings

[peacemaker45]

As nearly as I can tell, there are three options for lightening the flat mainspring of a Colt SAA or clone.

• Grind/file the factory spring
• Replace factory spring with aftermarket part.
• Convert to Ruger style coil.

The option that I'm interested in is the aftermarket replacement. From what I can see, there are two options there. The Lee's Gunslinger spring, and the Wolff spring. They use two different methods of getting the lighter spring action. The Gunslinger is similar to a narrowed stock unit, just manufactured that way. The Wolff part looks to have similar dimensions to a stock spring, but is manufactured with a long strip missing from the center.

Is there any appreciable difference between the two, in weight, in durability, or in force curve? Any knocks on them in general?

~~~Mat

 

[rcmodel]

I went through them all including those two, before I found one I liked.

Many of them are just too light, and feel like nothing is going on when you cock the hammer, but they do set off primers reliably.

The one I like is made by Wisners and is listed as the Medium tension #8 pound.
For me, it's just about perfect, and feels like the SAA should have been to start with.

http://www.wisnersinc.com/pistols/COLTpistol.html
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=13179/Product/COLT_SAA_REDUCED_POWER_SPRING_KIT

There is also the old timers trick of putting a leather shim between the grip strap & spring. This is the modern hi-tech equivalent:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=339/Product/COLT_SINGLE_ACTION_HAMMER_SPRING_SPACER

I have used the leather, but it doesn't have a great deal of effect, and has to be constently replaced as the leather packs down hard.
Haven't tried the plastic one.

rc

 

[dfariswheel]

Grinding/filing leaf springs very often leads them to break from stress risers caused by the marks not being polished out well enough.

These days, the best option is a replacement spring.
I have no experience with the Lee's, but Wolff springs are the best in the industry, and many gun manufacturers buy "factory" springs from Wolff.