Does a reduced power hammer spring.

[SimiPair]

Does a reduced power hammer spring require a reduced power firing pin spring?

[Frontier Lone Rider]

No

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

Which firearm are we talking? In my Rugers, I use a Wolff spring kit which doesn’t lighten the hammer springs much so never felt a need to lighten the firing pin springs. On the other hand in my ‘73’s if I lighten the hammer springs much, (which I do) I automatically lighten the firing pin spring and use one of Longhunter’s longer firing pins so I can adjust for the correct protrusion from the face of the bolt. His pins come with a lighter spring and it works well, a little better than cutting coils off the factory spring (which I have done as well)

All the best

    

Gateway Kid

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

PLUS ONE for Gateway Kid.

 

It Depends.  What gun are we talking about??  As Gateway mentioned, if you're curious about an 1873 Rifle, the answer is YES.  Uberti and Miroku rifles come with a heavy Firing Pin Return Spring.  No problem for the OEM Main Spring.  The Firing Pin is partially rebounding and the heavy Main Spring is required to overcome the return spring.  For reliable ignition with reduced Main Springs, a reduced firing Pin Return spring is necessary, or the OEM spring can be cut.  Cutting the OEM spring is not optimal.   

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Depends.....

What guns are you talking about?

 

[Griff]

Hmmm... I see a trend beginning...

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Griff,

 

Yepper.  "Depends"  But not the ones in the Plastic Packages.

[SimiPair]

Uberti 1873 rifle.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Uberti '73 - YES!!  Also, depending on when it was made, it may also "Need" an extended Firing Pin.  An extended Firing Pin can be had that includes a shorter reduced Return Spring.  Which is also my recommendation.  Many OEM Uberti firing pins have a business end the shape of a Basket Ball and need reprofiled at the least.  Need to remember, changing any single item will start a domino effect of "other" parts that need changed also. 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

2 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

... Many OEM Uberti firing pins have a business end the shape of a Basket Ball and need reprofiled at the least...

I always wondered, if the stock FP is reprofiled, does it need to be rehardened? 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Hi Abilene 😁

 

No.  The OEM Firing Pins weren't what you could call "Hardened" from the factory.  Easiest way to fix the tip is to chuck it up in a cordless drill motor and lightly file the tip to a nice angle.  NOT A POINT.  Just a nice angle that reduces the serface area impacting the primer.

 

PS:  The replacement Firing Pins from Cowboys and Indian and Pioneer Gunworks are "Tool Steel"

Edited December 23, 2024 by Colorado Coffinmaker
I absolutely hate OTTO

[Fretless]

In a 73 rifle the firing pin spring can be removed completely.  

[Nickle]

I'm just trying to remember but 1894 winchesters I don't think even had a return spring so I don't see why a 73 would need one.

1 hour ago, Fretless said:

In a 73 rifle the firing pin spring can be removed completely.  

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Just because you "can" remove the Firing Pin Return Spring, doesn't mean you should.  The Original Winchester design had a One Piece firing pin that was mechanically retracted.  No Spring needed.

 

The Uberti design requires the Return Spring to insure the Firing Pin withdraws from the Primer for consistent ejection.  So, Yes, you CAN take the spring out but it isn't a real swell idea.  And, just as an aside, Miroku copied the Uberti, not Winchester.

[Fretless]

I'm not a gunsmith.  I'm certain there are subtleties of the operation of the rifle that I am not aware of.  My personal experience is merely anecdotal, but two rifles that I am aquatinted with have been running without the firing pin return spring for 4 active years of shooting without indication of such a problem.  Maybe we're just flirting with disaster.  Time will tell.