Cutting Springs

[GeorgeH]

I have a NAA Guardian 380. When I got it it had a 10-10.5 lb trigger pull. Some people complained to NAA that they had light strikes on CCI primers. So NAA upgraded the hammer and draw bar springs. I had my gun upgraded by NAA and the trigger pull was heavier, but I just didn't know by how much.

I then sent the gun to Teddy Jacobson for his action job. I chose Teddy on the basis of his reputation for not cutting corners.

Today Teddy called me. He told me that my gun is nearly finished. That the trigger pull upon receipt was 13.5 lbs, that it is now 8.75 lbs and that the action was now as smooth as glass, but that he still wanted to cut 1/2 to 1 coil off the hammer spring. That the spring was unusually heavy. He explained that it would not have a significant effect on trigger pull (maybe 1/2 to 1 lb) but that he still felt it was prudent.

I told him my overriding concern was reliability and to use his best judgment. I was impressed that he called me to explain what was done, and what he still wanted to do and why.

My question to you is whether or not you think I made the right decision. If not why?

 

[JohnKSa]

On occasion I have cut 1/2 a coil off a trigger return spring--but only on fun guns (range use only).

I would never consider lightening the hammer spring on a carry gun.

You gave the reason in your post--

light primer strikes

My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[bigjim]

Cutting springs does not make them lighter in fact just the opposite. In order to make a spring lighter you should "spin It" on a belt sander. Run a wire through it and let it spin on the sanding belt. This takes material evenly from the wire all the way around the spring. Do it slowly in stages untill the desired strength is obtained.

 

[Jim K]

I agree with using the belt sander for reducing spring tension without shortening the spring. But in all cases, consider this.

Every maker of a gun that has a defensive application will (or should) build in an extra measure of reliability to cover adverse situations. The most common would be dirt, cold, and the like.

When the owner or his gunsmith works over the gun, it is almost inevitable that some of that extra will be reduced or eliminated.

Sure, I know YOUR gun will never be dirty, or cold, or sandy, or muddy. But in case it is, wouldn't it be nice to know it will work? If you remove all the "extra" so that the gun will only function under ideal conditions, you could be very embarrassed if it fails under less than ideal conditions.

Jim

 

[10-Ring]

I too have reservations w/ cutting springs. The one guy who told me he was just going to cut 1/2 a coil of one of the gun's springs, turned it from a heavy trigger to a heavy, mushy trigger. There's gotta be a replacement spring available to achieve the same effect.

 

[JohnBT]

I'd be inclined to trust the man's judgement. He is not your typical run-of-the-mill spring cutter - you've checked his references, right?I say let him work.

John

 

[CWL]

Teddy Jacobsen is a well-known and regarded pistolsmith, however...

He gets A LOT of flack from other pistolsmiths for cutting springs in his work.

You have to decide if you want it. It's your gun.

 

[Penman]

I would trust Teddy's judgement, he knows this is not a range gun or target piece.

 

[45R]

Trust his judgement and let him work. Test the gun when you get it and if its not to par then re-install a stock spring.

 

[rhedley]

Half a coil !!

I don't think a half a coil could endanger reliability. If the spring is that close to being too light, it must not be a proper spring to start with.

Just my thoughts on the matter...