The most under rated firearms component ....

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P95Carry

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Just musing (happens a lot as you get older! :p ) ..... What is the one component category most crucial to the satisfactory functioning of a firearm? Any firearm.

Strikes me that the humble spring has to take the first place in that category. It might be the simplest of leaf springs in an old muzzle loader ... or one of several in a more modern rifle trigger group.

Progress to handguns and we'll find not only mainsprings but, trigger return springs, mag' springs ... mag catch springs .. cyl latch springs .... so many... and most probably now helical compression types for the most part.

Failure sometimes of just one..... even a small return spring can and usually will lead to malfunction. I admire the guys in early days of gun building .. who could make springs that still survive to this day. From my experience, making of springs ... flat in particular - is less a science than a black art!!

Let's hear it for the spring!!:cool: :p
 
metallurgy

Chris you really outta consider naps...helps with the musings. :)

Ok, Its a GIVEN - Operator, then I say metallurgy, then ammo.

I think understand what your thinking Chris...I had a nap. Any tool is only as good as the operator. Tool ( Firearm) needs to be of a sound working design, and the ammo needs to work.

Metallurgy of springs is very important , and I can see where you thought of that, but say for instance the mainspring on a K frame is of good metallurgy but the strain screw is not...well. So the components needs to be matched to the task they perform.

I had a nap, but dang it's hard t put into type. Good question and thought provoking-thanks!
 
Now after my smart posterior answer I think simplicity of of design and function are at the top of the list.
 
I'll go with the firing pin.

Not really applicable in older models, but for the last century and a half or so it's been pretty indispensible.
 
I'll go with the firing pin.
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Bob ..... I still think my prime point is being missed ... even if I was just ''musing''!!

Your firing pin will be of little use if no spring to power the hammer/striker. See what I mean? Springs act as an energy store .... to then move certain parts as required ... they are analagous to a battery in electrical terms.

No springs .... no function. = most critical component. Yeah?:)
 
Maybe I'm just fixated on this spring thing .. I mean yeah .. firing pin, barrel ... whatever ... all vital parts ..... no dispute but ..... ask yourselves this .....

If I remove springs from my gun ... will it work??????

My contention is - NO - it will not!!! How can a firing pin be made to operate unless driven by a spring?. What will keep the trigger in the forward position, instead of it just flappin around? How will trigger notch and sear be held in engagement ... unless by spring pressure??

So - in case anyone needs to test this ... remove the main spring .... :p

Is the firearm functional any more? No! No matter how good the rest of it is ... it ain't gonna work! Now, can anyone see what I'm driving at (OK, obscessing!). The humble (even under estimated) 'spring' is in fact the key to the function of a firearm.

Dogma?? No - I think it is simple fact. That's all.

If no one else gets it .. I give up!:D
 
If I remove springs from my gun ... will it work??????
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No, it won't. But, as you correctly stated, there are any number of other components that can disable a firearm, too.

Actually, I think I'll change my vote to the barrel. You can make a crude rimfire "firearm" from a .22 diameter piece of tubing and touch off the round with a hammer, which negates the need for a spring, firing pin, or anything else really. So, I'd say the barrel is actually the most basic (and necessary) component.

If no one else gets it .. I give up!
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I think everyone else is throwing in the towel, too! (Because you ARE obsessing! :D)
 
I think the word I did not stress enough maybe is ''under-rated ... sure all parts are necessary but this (soon to die!) obsession was aimed at the spring because it seems, for its relative simplicity .. to be vital
(Because you ARE obsessing! :D)
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Ok ... I concede Bob!:banghead: :D But I think most might (just) admit, that springs are often forgotten as being so crucial ... cos a bust spring usually means ... bust gun!

I shall now retire and concentrate on my latest cup of coffee ... and go work on my Mauser some more.:p

(mutter, mutter, mumble - ''better go see Doc ... get meds for this obsessional prob'' ..... mutter.):D
 
Chris I think your question is a very thought provoking one. Your not obsessing, all that snow has given you cabin fever. Yes I watch springs say in a 1911 style, recoil springs and magazine springs for example.

I still say its the sum of the parts and metallurgy. I looked at a K frame , a 1911 style and a Keltec P-11 ( boy talk about diversity of components...and metallurgy :p ]

The first thing I see as being a "real critical" component b/t these three guns...a trigger :D So in reviewing and remembering you said "underrated" ....we have Operater ( hey some may be "overrated" dunno) , metallurgy, ammo, springs...but you know Chris if that sucker does not have some way to "trigger" the darn thing , It ain't gonna go bang! Trigger gets pulled and the workings do the firing pin dealie. It might be a pc of an ice pick as a firing pin one hits with a rock in a homemade blaster using pvc as a bbl.

Still say its the metallurgy, on my matchstick gun it is the METAL SPRING that hits the head of match :D :D

So the matchstick gun proves we are both right :p :p

NO barrel, but we have a "underrated component" made of metal that is springy that triggers the bang.

See - that was easy! You don't need meds, you just need for the snow to melt so you can play with the new SRH.

I'll send a bill for consultation....:)
Your Welcome!
 
Thx for the ''consulation'' Steve!!:D
you just need for the snow to melt so you can play with the new SRH.
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Well, 2" of rain has about cleared the snow but everywhere is way wet and nasty ... now the prospect is colder and more snow! Sheesh .... no win! I'd sneak to range today but work to get finished.

I guess all my deal with springs was based on the ''what use is a gun without springs''? Trigger, barrel ... operator, ammo .. all vital but for such a small and oft forgotten part ... the spring can seem under valued.

That's it! I am full of coffee .. my mind is clearing .... the fog is lifting! Time to ****!!:D
 
What about the pin? There is a critical part that almost never receives any attention. They (usually) don't go flying across the room when you disassemble your gun for cleaning either.
 
The magazine. Ultimately most feed problems, and many other problems, can be caused by a bad magazine.
 
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