Wolff springs

[FalconLair]

over the years i've replaced springs in several of my firearms - i've kept all the old springs because i didn't necessarily change them out because they were bad - mainly it was due to buying a spring to replace a factory spring of a different weight be it recoil springs, hammer springs, trigger springs etc

so i have a bag of springs but i don't know the weight of the springs

is there a device i could buy or some other method that would tell me the # of the spring?

thx

[Eatmyshade]

Check this thread out --> https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/....php?t=1758221

[k1dude]

I made my own and it works pretty darn good. I made one for Glock recoil springs and one for Glock striker springs.

Take a nail or a bolt that's long enough and the proper diameter so the spring can slip over it. Drill a small hole in the end of the nail or bolt. Make the hole big enough so a short piece of wire hanger can fit through the hole.

Cut a piece of wire hanger between 3 to 5 inches long. Using pliers, bend one end 180 degrees into a hook shape. Bend the other end about 120 degrees.

Buy a fender washer with the proper sized hole to slip over the nail/bolt. Find one that isn't too tight or too loose. You want the fender washer to slide freely along the shaft of the nail/bolt and to not bind in any way.

Identify and use the factory stock spring to calibrate your testing device. Let's say your stock spring is 18 pounds. Slip the spring over the nail/bolt. Next, slip the fender washer over the nail/bolt.

Put the 120 degree hanger end through the hole in the nail/bolt.

Hook your spring gauge through the hook end of the hanger.

Hold the assembly up and pull your gauge handle back while pushing forward on the fender washer with your other hand. Have you wife or friend standing by with a fine tip sharpie. When the spring gauge shows 18 pounds, have them mark on the nail/bolt where the fender washer stopped. Then release the tension and set everything down. Take the sharpie and encircle the whole nail/bolt circumference with that mark. Your device is now calibrated.

Take any other spring you have laying around and put it in the fixture. Compress the spring to the same mark and read your spring gauge. You'll now know what weight the spring is.

I use a nail for striker springs and a bolt for recoil springs.

It's easy and it works surprisingly well.

[divingin]

There's a compressed length (i.e. an approximation of the length of the spring when the slide is at full back) that you can use; I've found it for 1911's (though I don't remember what it is, sorry.) At that length, with a homemade gauge like described above, I've measured known aftermarket springs to within a pound of stated weight.

I'd assume you could do the same for any handgun, and get a reasonably accurate gauge of what weight spring is which. You just need to figure out the compressed length and mark it on your gauge.

[k1dude]

There's a compressed length (i.e. an approximation of the length of the spring when the slide is at full back) that you can use; I've found it for 1911's (though I don't remember what it is, sorry.) At that length, with a homemade gauge like described above, I've measured known aftermarket springs to within a pound of stated weight.

I'd assume you could do the same for any handgun, and get a reasonably accurate gauge of what weight spring is which. You just need to figure out the compressed length and mark it on your gauge.

Finding the compressed length of a spring on any gun is difficult. That's why I calibrate using a stock spring and compressing it until you reach it's rated weight. You then mark that compression spot. It's good enough. I've found using that technique is quite accurate.

[divingin]

Finding the compressed length of a spring on any gun is difficult. That's why I calibrate using a stock spring and compressing it until you reach it's rated weight. You then mark that compression spot. It's good enough. I've found using that technique is quite accurate.

That'll work, assuming you know the weight of a spring. It gives you the same measurement, but working from the other end of the equation. Doesn't work so well if all you have is a bunch of unknowns.

[k1dude]

That'll work, assuming you know the weight of a spring. It gives you the same measurement, but working from the other end of the equation. Doesn't work so well if all you have is a bunch of unknowns.

That's why I calibrate using a stock spring. It's a known entity.

Even if you don't know what spring you have, it still works. It's all relative, so you'll easily be able to tell which are stronger and which are weaker and then choose which to use according to your needs.

[hambam105]

Lenny Magill sells all kinds of Wolf after market firearm springs at our local gun shows.

Just how bad of a experience have you had using OEM springs?