Colt SAA Springs

[Kid Sopris]

Some conversation has picked up over the use of springs and type's used in the Single Action Army Revolvers, Thus I have provided a Pictorial review of the current offerings that are being widely used,

Left to Right:

(L) Standard Factory Colt Main Spring and Bolt/Trigger Spring. Colt uses a modifies Bolt spring that appears almost like their standard but has recessed sides. This is generally seen if you request an Action Job From Colt. Leaves a little to be desired UNLESS Colt did an Action Job for you. Lil Jon has been known to used the Modified Bolt Spring as referred to (not Shown) and favors the main spring as shown in extreme (R). But in no case doe's Lil Jon at Colt like the spring in the (C).

(C) Is a reworked Factory Spring that is offered by some in the industry that do Action Jobs on Colt SAA's and Clones utilizing the same type of main Spring. They will also incorporate the Bolt Piano Wire Spring you see in far right (R). This type of main Spring works really well, but it gives a 1 1/2 lb Let off. To touchy for some folks, especially folks new to the Colt SAA.

(R) Are Springs that can be ordered from Brownells which allow you to have a smoother pull when cocking the Colt One Handed. This is widely used and can be installed by yourself. When you have both your hands filled with Colts sometimes AGE places a factor, until Muscle Memory can kick in. There is also a reduced Trigger let off, so practice when utilzing the new springs.

DISCLAIMER: NOT all main springs are interchangeable with COLT and SOME CLONES made in Italy. The Main Spring has to be Shorter for some of those guns or the Hammer will not Cock. Make Sure if ordering Springs you order the CORRECT Ones.

[OD#3]

My 3rd Gen. SAA came from the factory with the skeletonized mainspring (extreme right). I just assumed that all new Colts had this feature. Although a little disappointed with its being non-traditional, I do like how easily the hammer cocks. Of course, Colt had to make up for it with an extremely positive sear angle on the hammer; trigger pull is therefore atrocious. I can't imagine how much worse it would have been with an original type mainspring.

[Kid Sopris]

Mine are like a hot knife through butter...So Smoooooooth...

[Boge]

My 3rd Gen. SAA came from the factory with the skeletonized mainspring (extreme right). I just assumed that all new Colts had this feature. Although a little disappointed with its being non-traditional, I do like how easily the hammer cocks. Of course, Colt had to make up for it with an extremely positive sear angle on the hammer; trigger pull is therefore atrocious. I can't imagine how much worse it would have been with an original type mainspring.

Are you sure? The third spring is the Wolff reduced weight spring. Colt does not use these to the best of my knowledge.

The original 1st Gen. had strong springs as metallic ctgs. were in their infancy and one needed a solid hit to ignite the Benét primers, especially if one was surrounded by Hostiles bent on giving a tonsorial "adjustment."

[Kid Sopris]

Colt was turning out Some SAA's with Modified Hammers and Springs for the Mounted Cowboy Shooters. I have personally seen a Colt employee use a skeletized (Wolff) spring in one of those revolvers.

[Frank V]

Thanks Kid, that is a great explanation of Colt springs.
I have a Colt tuned by Bob Munden, & it's also like a hot knife through butter.
Frank

[Coltlover]

Thanks Kid, that is a great explanation of Colt springs.
I have a Colt tuned by Bob Munden, & it's also like a hot knife through butter.
Frank

As are mine done by Bob James.

[swamprat]

Here are a couple more styles; the one on the left I have found in a couple of Colt 3rd generation guns from the custom shop that were new in the box.

[OD#3]

Well, Boge, I pried my grips off to make sure, and I stand corrected; my Colt does NOT have a skeletonized mainspring. However, it IS a modified one. I was going to snap a picture and then saw Swamprat's posting. My mainspring looks exactly like the one on the left from Swamprat's photo. I knew mine was different from an original-type mainspring, but I didn't know it differed from its currently-manufactured peers. I ordered mine from Bud's NIB back in August 2010 and posted an unboxing review on the 24th of that month. Perhaps Colt installs those lightened mainsprings during final assembly on SAA's that show too hard a trigger pull from too positive a sear angle. I haven't messed with the trigger yet. I thought it was getting lighter, but everyone else who fires it comments on how stiff the trigger is. I suppose I've just been getting used to the lousy trigger pull.

[Kid Sopris]

Swamprat you are correct thanks, I didn't have any of those...BUT I know who is putting them in...LOL