Mainspring for Colt Detective Special

[asian_glockster]

I've been looking for a replacement mainspring for my Colt Detective Special. I've been having light primer strikes. I've been having difficulty in finding such part. Is the mainspring for Police Positive compatible with the DS? TIA.

asian_glockster

 

[MMCSRET]

Police Positive Special; Yes!!! Police Positive: No!! Do you have the Kuhnhausen books covering Colt DA revolvers? It, Vol. 1, will tell you how to re-arc the mainspring to correct your problem.
Jack First(google) is a good source for the part you are searching for.

 

[aminyard]

Gun Parts Corp (Numrich) has the springs, both original and reproduction.

Good Luck

Al Minyard

 

[Old Fuff]

Availability of a spring depends on when the revolver was made. They changed the design shortly after World War Two, and they are not interchangeable.

IF THE SPRING IS THE PRE-WAR KIND DO NOT TRY TO REFORM IT!!

You can tell the older spring because it had a tit at the bottom of the "V" which fit in a hole in the frame.

 

[asian_glockster]

@MMCSRET> I don't have the book. If I could not find the part via net, I would try to re-arc the mainspring

@aminyard> Looked into Numrich, but they're sold out (original and reproduction) I emailed them and asked if the mainspring will still be available.

Thanks

 

[asian_glockster]

@ Old Fuff> mine has a serial number 838xxx. I think it was made around 1963.

Thanks

 

[Cosmoline]

As always, Old Fluff is correct. I went through this with a 1950's era DS. The mainspring replacement was the wrong type and apparently for a later generation DS. I remember the replacement spring that didn't work being rather beefier than the original, too. I think I still have it around somewhere.

 

[Old Fuff]

A quick check (www.proofhouse.com) confirmed the 1963 date. Therefore it should use the later style mainspring, without the tit. I believe they are currently available from Colt, and also Brownells (www.brownells.com). The later spring is common to all D-frame models of that era. (Detective Specal, Cobra, Agent, Diamondback, Police Positive Special, etc.)

The comprehensive Brownells site likely has any and everything you might need, and a whole lot you never will. It comes highly recommended.

 

[BBBBill]

...I don't have the book...

Yuo will need it if you are going to try to do ANY maintenance on that gun. Colt revolvers are notoriously difficult to understand and repair for any more than the most basic issues.

www.gunbooks.com
www.brownells.com

FYI, I'm fairly skilled with many types of guns and have no fear of tackling extensive repairs or customization with them. Colt revolvers, other than the latest generation with the greatly simplified lockwork, are totally off limits for me. I know my limitations.

 

[asian_glockster]

Tried browsing at brownells. No luck..

 

[triggerman770]

mainspring

here ya go(manual)

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=369326

 

[4v50 Gary]

American Gunsmith will be publishing my article on making V springs. Dunno when.