How do I swap out a Pietta Mainspring?

[Indian Outlaw]

Hand picked me a new Pietta/Traditions .44 at Gander Mountain (they had four of 'em). Wanna get a Kirst Konverter for it, and so I'd like to install a lighter mainspring. I have a Wolff/Colt spring and wanna see if it'll fit. What's the best way to remove the stock spring? I assume I'll need pliers. I'd like to do it without marring the inside of the gripframe. 

By the way, I'd like to become a member, if I'm allowed. 

[Hoof Hearted]

Go here:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,22942.0.html

Welcome aboard!

HH

[cheatin charlie]

Hand picked me a new Pietta/Traditions .44 at Gander Mountain (they had four of 'em). Wanna get a Kirst Konverter for it, and so I'd like to install a lighter mainspring. I have a Wolff/Colt spring and wanna see if it'll fit. What's the best way to remove the stock spring? I assume I'll need pliers. I'd like to do it without marring the inside of the gripframe. 

By the way, I'd like to become a member, if I'm allowed. 

Back out the tension screw in the front of the grip,  take 1/4" wooden rod and place between spring and frame.
Roll rod towards top of spring to relieve pressure off of hammer.  Remove hammer screw and push hammer towards
bottom of frame to remove screw from paw.  Take hammer out top of frame then remove wooden rod.  Spring should
then be easily removed with hand pressure.  Reinstall in reverse order.
Have fun.  Remingtons are neat but nothing beats 1851 Navy's

[hellgate]

If the mainspring tension screw is functional (often they are not) you can back it out to where it no longer contacts the mainspring and you may just find that you do not need a lighter spring as you have just lightened the tension with the turn of a screw. I did that with my two Ubertis and they still have the stock springs and a nice, light pull.

Cheatin Charlie taught me a new technique. My usual method is thus: I Take the grips off, put the grip frame in a padded vise so the spring is in full view (gun is upside down) and use a 1/4-3/8" dowel to tap it out of its retaining slot in the bottom of the grip frame. It doesn't fly too far.  To reinstall I position the tip of the spring against the back of the hammer where it is supposed to go and using a 1" hardwood dowel (both hands needed to guide it) I push on the thick end of the spring to force the spring back into the slot. Then I tap it with the dowel to center it in the slot.

[Indian Outlaw]

Many thanks! 

[Montana Slim]

My technique is similar to Hellgate's, except I use a plastic mallet and don't use a vise. very fast procedure this way.

REgards,
Slim