Broken Handspring

[Digger]

Hi Y'all,

I broke a handspring on one of my SAA this morning.  I've ordered a replacement handspring assembly, but I also ordered a couple of extra handsprings, since I'm told this is a common point of failure in a SAA.  As a practical matter, how realistic is it to replace a handspring and have the repair work?  Close examination of the hand looks like the hand and handspring are a pretty tight fit.


Thanks,
Digger

[Pettifogger]

Some are pressed in and you can replace it by laying the new one on top and tapping it in and the old one out.  Some are staked in and can be more work to replace.  The best solution is to drill the frame and install a Ruger style plunger and coil spring.

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

Note that the new hand with handspring installed that you ordered will likely requre fitting (filing) to match the size of the existing one.

Personally, if I like the way my current hand is performing, then I just change the spring. If you are breaking the springs often, then you should consider filing the inside of the channel that the spring rides in (maybe a burr is snagging it).

Drilling the frame to accept a plunger (to ride on back of hand) and coil spring is actually easy to do.

SP

[Fox Creek Kid]

COIL hand spring!!?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! 

I like the feel of flat springs so much better. 

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

COIL hand spring!!?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! 

I like the feel of flat springs so much better. 

I cannot hear or feel a difference in my 1860 Pietta conversion. But I do have piece of mind. 

[Pettifogger]

COIL hand spring!!?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! 

I like the feel of flat springs so much better. 

If you can feel the leaf hand spring operating, your gun needs tuning.

[Fox Creek Kid]

If you can feel the leaf hand spring operating, your gun needs tuning.

I know that. It's just that I hate to break tradition here. 

[Montana Slim]

Lord knows I could convert to coil springs...but why? Between the 2-3 dozen Colt/Remington's I've maintained over the years (repros of several flavors and several originals), I've probably replaced less than a dozen springs and 1/2 as many hand assemblies. So, what advantage would I have to a coil setup other than a modern do-dad on a PC firearm? Certainly not peace of mind. These are shooters, not safe-queens, BTW.

If I'd wanted to use a Ruger, I guess I could shoot my SBH or buy a Vaquero 

Regards,
Slim

[Fiddler Green]

Hi Y'all,

I broke a handspring on one of my SAA this morning.  I've ordered a replacement handspring assembly, but I also ordered a couple of extra handsprings, since I'm told this is a common point of failure in a SAA.  As a practical matter, how realistic is it to replace a handspring and have the repair work?  Close examination of the hand looks like the hand and handspring are a pretty tight fit.


Thanks,
Digger

Can't say I've broken a handspring (yet!), but, I had two very weak handsprings in my Taurus Gauchos and finally replaced them. What did I use? The spare handspring I ordered for my Pietta, Colt 1860 Army! They work fine. My Spare Remington Spring is the same, but, without the whole drilled in it.

From Dixie Gun Works, the parts are:

1860 Handspring     TP1565  $3.50
1858 Handspring     TP1716  $3.50

Way cheap considering what one can pay from other sources. How are they working out? I've got about 30 matches on the first one and God knows how many trips the range. I ordered a few extra and did some "Tuning" by grinding a little metal off to lighten up the spring(s) and I'm very happy with them. The stock Taurus springs sucked!

Bruce

[Fox Creek Kid]

The flat hand spring is a flaw in the original design.  It should have been a coil spring and plunger from the get-go.

In 1836? They didn't exist like that to the best of my knowledge. I'll take a flat spring revolver over a coil one any day for smoothness. You can tune a Ruger smooth but no way can it compete with say a Colt Python or S&W with flat leaf springs that has been PROPERLY tuned. They are like butter. I can feel the difference between the two as no matter how hard you try with a coil spring you cannot prevent the last second "stacking". You can come close, but not all the way IMO. Of course this is related to hammer springs and modern DA revolvers.

I've only broken two hand springs in Colt style revolvers in my lifetime so far. One happened during a match. That's life and since I don't use them for concealed carry it doesn't matter to me. I had a Glock break a trigger spring once as well. Nothing is bulletproof and quite frankly I like tinkering anyway.

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

I've broken 4 in 4 years...light SASS duty (don't shoot every weekend).

I've seen a couple happen to people during a match... I'd hate to ruin the best run of your life with a revolver that suddenly won't index.

Most common 'i need help' post here and on the sass wire is about the hand spring or bolt/trigger spring breaking.

If you can't see it, feel it, or smell it...might was well slap a coil/plunger in place of the hand spring.

Lord knows I could convert to coil springs...but why? Between the 2-3 dozen Colt/Remington's I've maintained over the years (repros of several flavors and several originals), I've probably replaced less than a dozen springs and 1/2 as many hand assemblies. So, what advantage would I have to a coil setup other than a modern do-dad on a PC firearm? Certainly not peace of mind. These are shooters, not safe-queens, BTW.

If I'd wanted to use a Ruger, I guess I could shoot my SBH or buy a Vaquero 

Regards,
Slim

[Fiddler Green]

I shoot all the time; not just "light SAS Duty" and I've never broken a main spring. I have broken trigger/cylinder lock springs. I don't see that many 'i need help' posts on the subject either. Am I missing that forum?

Bruce

[Skinny Preacher 66418]

I shoot all the time; not just "light SAS Duty" and I've never broken a main spring. I have broken trigger/cylinder lock springs. I don't see that many 'i need help' posts on the subject either. Am I missing that forum?

Bruce

HAND spring not main-spring.   

[Digger]

Hi Y'all,

I ordered a couple of hand assemblies from USFA, so I'd have a spare on-hand, plus a couple of extra springs.  They came yesterday morning.  I figure as long as I'm replacing the hand assembly, I'll give the pair the action job I've been putting off too.

USFA had the best price I could find for the parts.  It took about a week to fill the order.  Eye-balling them next to the broke one, they look like they'll need touching with a file.  Haven't put the calipers on them yet to check.

I'll let you know how it goes.  Doesn't look exactly like Saturn V work.


Thanks,
Digger

[Montana Slim]

Another tip... I've used the 1873 hand-springs  (leaf) for all my needs. Just cut-off and discard anything not needed.

Regards,
Slim