Hand Spring Broke Again - Decided to Go WSith Long Hunter

IrishCop · February 12, 2011, 05:07:32 AM

As I've posted before, I bought a USFA Premium SA, Dome Blue and Case Colored, 4.75" Barrel, .45 Colt. Beautiful Gun! When I opened the box I swear it took my breath away.

Anyway, a bout 3 weeks later, the hand spring broke. I freely admit I was working the action and dry firing the pistol - a lot! Contacted USAF, they sent a shipping label, got the gun back in less than 3 weeks. I was once again a happy camper!

A few weeks after that - hand spring broke again.

Now guys, I was using snap caps, i wasn't fanning the revolver...heck, I just don't think I was absing the damned thing. I heard from other USFA owners who said they have dry fired their guns thousands of times with no such breakage. Contacted USFA. This time it was apparent shipping and repairs would be on my dime. The guy on the phone mentioned Long Hunter. I had already heard about Jim, so I gave sent him an e-mail (which was ansawered the next morning). I'm getting the complete action job - new springs, re-timing, squaring and recutting the forcing cone, opening up the rear sight, putting in a Ruger style coil spring hand spring, and polishing the sides of the hammer after relieving them a few thousands to prevent unsightly hammer drag. Cost? $200, including shipping. Can you say deal? I'll let you know how that works wout.

Major 2 · February 12, 2011, 05:44:27 AM

Jim did a gun for me

.... he is my choice from now on.

Fox Creek Kid · February 12, 2011, 08:52:02 AM

IMO dry firing is not good on any SAA style gun w/o snap caps. However, with that said that is NOT the reason that your hand spring broke. Sounds like just bad luck. I've only broken two in decades of shooting. There must be a burr in the hand channel perhaps.

wileycoyote · February 12, 2011, 09:50:21 AM

handsprings are very delicate and just break. its the way it is.

but LHSS's coil spring takes care if it forever. and the rest of what they do is well worth the expense. i'm thrilled with the two they did for me and will be ordering all my SA for them for now on, just so they go thru it first and do that work before i even get my hands on them.

you should be very pleased with the results! enjoy!!!

Shotgun Franklin · February 12, 2011, 09:53:12 AM

I've had great luck with Wolfe Springs.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · February 12, 2011, 09:59:23 AM

Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on February 12, 2011, 08:52:02 AM
IMO dry firing is not good on any SAA style gun w/o snap caps. However, with that said that is NOT the reason that your hand spring broke. Sounds like just bad luck. I've only broken two in decades of shooting. There must be a burr in the hand channel perhaps.

The Kid hit this one right, most likely a bur that needs to be removed or there have been batches of bad springs too, I'd look at both, either way this shouldn't be happening, USFA should take care of it on their dime not yours!!!!!!!!!! What Shotgun Flanklin said, Wolff springs are the best, and I suggest buying direct from them and not a supplier, your chances of getting the right spring the first time is much better, the coil spring is much better but even it won't last forever, it can get twisted or kinked.

Shotgun Franklin · February 12, 2011, 10:03:50 AM

Also, if you don't know how to take your revolver apart to replace that hand spring this is a good time to learn. A monkey, with the right screwdriver, can do this job.

IrishCop · February 12, 2011, 12:05:42 PM

Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on February 12, 2011, 08:52:02 AM
IMO dry firing is not good on any SAA style gun w/o snap caps. However, with that said that is NOT the reason that your hand spring broke. Sounds like just bad luck. I've only broken two in decades of shooting. There must be a burr in the hand channel perhaps.

Kid, I freely admit to dry firing w/out snap caps before the FIRST break...but when I sent it off for repairs, I ordered snap caps from Midway, and used them religously upon the guns return. Might well be a burr in the channel...but you'd think they woulda picked up on that at the factory.

Quote from: Shotgun Franklin on February 12, 2011, 10:03:50 AM
Also, if you don't know how to take your revolver apart to replace that hand spring this is a good time to learn. A monkey, with the right screwdriver, can do this job.

I do know how to take a SAA apart, Shotgun...even have the propert bits from Brownells. It's just that for $1,050, and a three month old gun, I shouldn't have to. >: ( And if Mr. Finch and Company can solve this problem indefinitely, why not?

Fox Creek Kid · February 12, 2011, 03:28:38 PM

Quote from: IrishCop on February 12, 2011, 12:05:42 PM...I do know how to take a SAA apart, Shotgun...even have the propert bits from Brownells. It's just that for $1,050, and a three month old gun, I shouldn't have to. >: ( And if Mr. Finch and Company can solve this problem indefinitely, why not?

Well, to be honest I take every new CAS gun apart completely before shooting as they are lubed for long term storage from the factory and not for shooting as who knows how long the gun will sit at a dealer before being bought.

If it is indeed a burr in the hand channel it is a 2 min. fix if that with the correct stone. However, as you said you should theoretically not have to do that on a gun costing more than a grand.

There is an old time trick as well to make a hand spring last longer. Hold the hand with the spring and apply a flame for a minute or so to the BASE of the hand spring and let air cool.

IrishCop · February 12, 2011, 04:02:06 PM

Thanks for the tips, Kid. I really appreciate it!

Shotgun Franklin · February 12, 2011, 05:05:07 PM

QuoteIt's just that for $1,050, and a three month old gun, I shouldn't have to.

It kinda indicates poor quality control. It's a shame that this kinda thing happens.

texagun · February 12, 2011, 05:16:42 PM

Quote from: Shotgun Franklin on February 12, 2011, 05:05:07 PM

It kinda indicates poor quality control. It's a shame that this kinda thing happens.

Agreed, and I've read that USFA hand springs are the best of their type available and that they are heat-treated while most clone springs are not. Must be a bad batch of springs to have 2 break so quickly.

SAAJim · February 13, 2011, 02:50:47 PM

It's interesting that hand spring broke so quickly - and twice. I bought 2 USFA SAAs from Gary Granger back in 2006. Changed to Wolffe reduced main and wire trigger/bolt springs but left the hand spring stock and shot them both for quite a while with zero problems. Knowing they are a potential problem, I eventually broke out my drill press and carbide drills and after careful measuring, drilled the frames for Ruger coil/plunger hand springs. Now I rest easy about the hand springs but the leaf springs held up quite well for a long time. Guess it's just a crap shoot with those little devils.

Jim

IrishCop · February 13, 2011, 05:19:16 PM

I agree, sir, it is a crap shoot...that'a why I hold no ill will towards USFA. Heck, they're the ones who recommended Long Hunter. Wish I had your skills with metal...I would've done it myself, too!

OKDEE · February 17, 2011, 09:40:50 PM

I have had the problems with the hands in my Long Hunter Rodeo's myself. Had a gunsmith do a hardness test on them, an found they were pretty soft. Heat treated the new ones and them seem to be working so far. Like you, IrishCop, I do alot of dryfirin with all my guns. I guess playin hard just is plain tough on some things.

Oklahoma Dee

jdpress · February 17, 2011, 10:39:03 PM

Irish Cop:

You will be thrilled with Jim and Brad Finch's Long Hunter action job. Of all my USFA's, and Colt SAA, the action job they performed on a USFA Single Action model is by far the best on all my revolvers and completely reliable too. Long Hunter Shooting Supply is a class action operation and they are always a pleasure to work with. When they give you a completion or delivery schedule you can count on it too and take it to the bank. The Texas Panhandle must breed great character in handgun people.......in addition to Jim Finch, Skeeter Skelton was from that part of Texas too!

J.D. Press

Fox Creek Kid · February 17, 2011, 11:16:30 PM

Quote from: OKDEE on February 17, 2011, 09:40:50 PM
I have had the problems with the hands in my Long Hunter Rodeo's myself. Had a gunsmith do a hardness test on them, an found they were pretty soft. Heat treated the new ones and them seem to be working so far. Like you, IrishCop, I do alot of dryfirin with all my guns. I guess playin hard just is plain tough on some things.

Oklahoma Dee

They are INTENTIONALLY softer as it is easier to replace a hand than a cylinder. That way the hand wears moreso than the ratchet. May want to rethink the hardening bit.

IrishCop · February 18, 2011, 03:45:22 AM

Quote from: jdpress on February 17, 2011, 10:39:03 PM
Irish Cop:

You will be thrilled with Jim and Brad Finch's Long Hunter action job. Of all my USFA's, and Colt SAA, the action job they performed on a USFA Single Action model is by far the best on all my revolvers and completely reliable too. Long Hunter Shooting Supply is a class action operation and they are always a pleasure to work with. When they give you a completion or delivery schedule you can count on it too and take it to the bank. The Texas Panhandle must breed great character in handgun people.......in addition to Jim Finch, Skeeter Skelton was from that part of Texas too!

J.D. Presserferent,

J.D., the strange thing is I have been traveling back and forth from Alabama to Lubbock, which is just south of Amarillo, regularly over the last two years. My parents retired in Lubbock. I lost my mother 2 years ago, and my father last November. If things had been just a little different, I could have dropped it off myself.

jdpress · February 18, 2011, 09:46:49 AM

Irish Cop:

I am sorry to hear about the loss of both of your parents. That is a long trip from Alabama to West Texas, right at 1,000 miles. It is strange how when you are focused on a family objective that not much of what happens on the periphery is observed or seen.

Until just recently Long Hunter Shooting Supply was located about 75 miles Northwest of Amarillo in Hartley, Texas so it would have been quite a ways off the path you were probably taking to get to Lubbock.

I look forward to your positive reactions when your USFA Pre-War is returned from Long Hunter in Amarillo, especially after you have had a chance to fire it extensively.

Just a note on dry firing snap caps. I have been using the Freedom Arms snap caps in all my .45 Colt and .44 Special revolvers for many years. They are not inexpensive but they are extremely well designed & manufactured, just like the Freedom Arms revolvers, and I think they absorb the hammer/firing pin shock just as well and perhaps even better than an actual round. I believe that they are excellent insurance for maintaining an expensive revolver like your USFA U.S. Pre-War model. You can find them on the Freedom Arms website under Field/Gun Accessories. They have adjustable spring tension and replaceable firing pin impact cushions too. http://www.freedomarms.com

Happy shooting,

J.D. Press

OKDEE · February 18, 2011, 05:08:20 PM

Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on February 17, 2011, 11:16:30 PM
They are INTENTIONALLY softer as it is easier to replace a hand than a cylinder. That way the hand wears moreso than the ratchet. May want to rethink the hardening bit.

Tis not the part that interacts with the cylinder.