General Black Powder > Gunsmithing/Parts & Repairs/Refinishing
Measuring mainspring strength
Navy Six:
I intend to conduct a series of tests on Colt style percussion pistols in regards to mainspring strength and its affect on percussion cap performance. I would like to accurately measure and compare a variety of mainsprings. I do have a trigger pull gauge and considered measuring that as I swapped out different mainsprings on the same gun. Is there a better way of doing this? I don't want my results to be based on "well, this spring feels heavier than that one". Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Marshal Will:
The trigger pull might give a good enough reference of the springs in use. I can't think of another way to measure them unless you make a fixture to measure the pull on the hammer to full cock or how much force to bend the spring far enough to equal full cock. That could get expensive if you have to buy measuring equipment.
45 Dragoon:
I've always measured from half cock. I hook my scale under the nose of the hammer and check the weight when it starts to move. That's where the 4 lb hammer pull comes from. It's all repeatable numbers.
In my experience, they tend to run anywhere from 6 lbs to 9lbs+ . . . 2nd Gen Colt's are all over the place. Just checked two 2nd Gens . . . '60 Army is 8 lbs, Walker is 7lbs.
Measuring just gives me an idea of how much "dressing " I'll need to do to get to 4lbs.
Mike
Marshal Will:
I look forward to seeing your results. Are you going to include aftermarket ones like the Wolf Reduced Power main springs?
Hawg:
--- Quote from: 45 Dragoon on March 21, 2024, 11:56:29 AM ---I've always measured from half cock. I hook my scale under the nose of the hammer and check the weight when it starts to move. That's where the 4 lb hammer pull comes from. It's all repeatable numbers.
In my experience, they tend to run anywhere from 6 lbs to 9lbs+ . . . 2nd Gen Colt's are all over the place. Just checked two 2nd Gens . . . '60 Army is 8 lbs, Walker is 7lbs.
Measuring just gives me an idea of how much "dressing " I'll need to do to get to 4lbs.
Mike
--- End quote ---
Why half cock?
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