[romeofoxtrot]

I need some information regarding handgun springs and replacing them. First, when one changes the recoil spring to a stronger one, why is a heavy duty firing pin spring included in the deal? Is it safe or prudent to change the recoil spring and not change the firing pin spring? Does the firing pin spring need to be changed if the recoil spring remains the standard weight and not stronger? Is there a problem mixing say a Wolff recoil spring with a standard factory firing pin spring or vice versa? What about a heavy duty firing pin spring and a standard recoil spring? Are there other spring combinations that would need to be changed out together such as a hammer spring and also an ejector spring? I am really confused about all of this. Thanks in advance for your replies.
--Ray

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello,

I need some information regarding handgun springs and replacing them. First, when one changes the recoil spring to a stronger one, why is a heavy duty firing pin spring included in the deal?With the Mk III or late run Mk II pistols having the internal firing pin safety, it is not necessary from a safety standpoint. The internal firing pin block would prevent the firing pin from moving forward when the slide slams shut. Is it safe or prudent to change the recoil spring and not change the firing pin spring?Wolff reportedly includes the extra power firing pin spring with the recoil spring under the assumption that if one is replacing a recoil spring, the firing pin spring might also need the same. Factory 9mm recoil springs are rated at 17-lbs and have a firing pin spring matched to them though I do not know what it is rated at. If installing a heavier-strength recoil spring, the factory firing pin spring might theoretically allow the pin to move forward and fire the chambered round in guns w/o the firing pin block. I have never seen this and purposely tried a factory firing pin spring in conjunction with an 18.5-lb recoil spring. No mishaps and not even a dent on the primer. Does the firing pin spring need to be changed if the recoil spring remains the standard weight and not stronger?Probably not, but if replacing a tired recoil spring, why not go ahead and replace the firing pin spring which should have about the same number of compressions? Factory Hi Power springs have proven themselves pretty darned reliable and long-lived in my opinion. I probably replace them more than is necessary but I shoot quite a bit of the warmer ammunition. Is there a problem mixing say a Wolff recoil spring with a standard factory firing pin spring or vice versa?I have not run into one and have tried such combinations on purpose to see what would happen. I cannot say if using less than a 28-lb mainspring on the heavy-duty firing pin spring as that is the lightest mainspring I've used. I know that there is no problem with any combination insofar as ignition is concerned when the current 32-lb mainspring is used. What about a heavy duty firing pin spring and a standard recoil spring? Are there other spring combinations that would need to be changed out together such as a hammer spring and also an ejector spring?I think that you meant "extractor spring." The only time I have replaced these has been on the very infrequent occasions that extraction problems began to crop up. In each instance, replacing the extractor spring with either a factory spring or Wolff's extra power Hi Power extractor springs (my preference), the problem was eliminated.

In my opinion, if you plan to shoot primarily standard pressure/standard velocity 9mm, there's no real need to go with the stronger springs. I believe that the same is true if shooting limited amounts of +P

Best.

 

[bill]

Stephen, I run the lightest hammer springs .22 lbs. and have no ignition problems. For that reason i use the lightest firing pin spring.The firing pin spring is about 3 times stronger than it needs to be for the same reason that the hammer spring is twice as strong as it needs to be,TRIGGER PULL. Or lack there of.The heavier the recoil spring, the faster the cycle time, the harder the slide is going to slam back into battery. I determine how strong a recoil spring needs to be by how far the empties are ejecting. Hope this helps. Bill

 

[romeofoxtrot]

Very thorough and most helpful responses. Now I understand much more than I did before. Again, thank you. Please indulge a couple more follow up questions: Will the Wolff or current factory firing pin, hammer, recoil and other springs function adequately in the Inglis Hi Power? I know the recoil spring will fit, and I plan to change out the firing pin spring as well. The hammer spring seems to be a lot lighter in my ancient Inglis than in any of my other HP's, but the trigger pull is much lighter and crisper. Should I correct this with a heavier spring? I'm not sure I understand the notion of lighter springs and better pull in the HP.
--Ray