Ruger NMV, early version with internal vs later version without the lock.

["Big Boston"]

I have both versions, and when I bought them (used) and was told that they had Wolff spring kits in them. I've been using them and lately a fellow shooter asked if I could work on his. He sent photos and both have locks, and supposedly both had spring kits. He still had the packages with the old springs in them. The PN was for the larger frame Vaquero. Given their age, I decided just to put new kits in them. 

 

Wolff lists kits for the XR-3 NMV frame with the lock, but if I read the instructions correctly, Wolff only makes one kit and it fits either version. Not that there is a ton of difference, but on mine, the lock version has it's spring compressed a bit more than the unlocked version. 

 

 In the NMV without the lock, the hammer spring compressed length is 1.7660", and in the version with a lock it is 1.6130". 

 

IMHO, that difference in compressed length will make a difference in compressed force. I probably didn't get the memo, am I missing something. An 1/8 " + has to make some difference.

 

 

BB

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

My wife's NMV had the dang locks.

Remove them, and formed(bent) a #10 fender washer to fit in the locks place.

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

I trimmed the spring a little.

 

Randy

[Ya Big Tree]

Yep. I just cut the spring to the length of the original.

I like the fender washer idea.

["Big Boston"]

11 hours ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said:

I trimmed the spring a little.

 

Randy

 

IIRC, that is what I did on one of those. As Wolff does not differentiate, I imagine the change in hammer force isn't noticeable, unless you are trying to match a lock version with a non lock. 

 

Just for S&G, I did the math. I'll use the 14# per inch spring that comes in the kit for example. The installed length is different by .150" which amounts to .15/1 x 14 = 2.1 pounds.  Coincidently, I used my trigger pull scale and the difference in pull off was a bit over one #. The springs may not have been identical, but it seems to indicate the hammer force can be measured. An easy way to compare one revolver to the other.

 

Anyways, the project is on hold, Wolff has issues with their cart for international orders, and no one has stock in Canada. This canadian wants trade without tariffs. Every time a tariff rule or product classification changes, it requires a software update. Wolff isn't the only supplier that I've noticed having issues with international (Canada) orders. 

 

BB