GP100 Springs

[Big Stu]

I just received my new spring kit from Brownell's with the reduced power springs for my GP100. It came with 5 Wolff springs total. 3 different strengths for the hammer and 2 different strengths for the trigger return. Before changing anything, I called Ruger to find out what the actual spring strength was for the trigger return spring and the main hammer spring. The technician did not know the answer so she said she would look into it for me and get back to me with an answer. When she called back she informed me that they do NOT have that information. I was astounded that the manufacturer would call me back with such a stupid answer. I then called again to speak with someone else that might know and again I was astounded to find out that no one knew the spring strengths. The best info I was able to get from Ruger was that the trigger pull should be between 8 and 12 lbs. I find it hard to believe that they don't know something as basic as the power of their springs, and then they come back with a four pound range for the trigger pull.

After a little searching on the internet, I was able to find out which springs were best for the job. I hope the info is correct as I read similar numbers on different sites. I went with the 8lb spring for the Trigger return, and I went with the 12lb spring for the main hammer spring. Everything feels good and seems to function just fine but I won't know for sure until I test it at the range tomorrow.

Any thoughts or comments? I'm sure there are a few folks that have already changed out their springs. What worked best for you guys, and in what combination or configuration?

 

[TiteGroups]

I changed the springs in mine, IIRC i used the 8 and 12lbs. spring also did some polishing, worked out well for me, no primer problems, much better trigger but the springs won't cure the slight creep, haven't gotten to that yet. The spring kit is a good investment.

 

[Calthrop]

Stu.
I wrote about chronic dry fire and the bad things it can do to your new gun the vain attempt to reduce mainspring tension. I am glad you are not doing that.
However I am concerned about the installation of reduced power spring kits in handguns. Is the web of your shooting hand up on the recoil lug of the gun. Are you using the correct technique: grip and straight back trigger press to over come the spring pressure? Have you tried to shoot the gun stock?

 

[Big Stu]

I have put about 200 rounds through her with stock springs. She works pretty well but I was curious about how much improvement there would be with the reduced spring tensions. Fortunately it is very easy to change out the springs so if I'm not satisfied with the change it's only about 5 minutes wasted time to go back to stock. No harm... No foul. At the same time though, Nothing ventured... Nothing gained. The double action on this thing is pretty stout. I am able to keep on target but not what I expected to get. It is difficult to stay on target especially one handed when using full power magnum loads. I can feel a considerable difference with the new springs but only some time at the range will verify what I expect. Single action shows a significant improvement , but again only the range will tell me for sure. I will report back tomorrow.

 

[eric conrad]

Stu, take a look at www.gunsprings.com (thats Wolff) they give you the factory spring rate when you look at what kit or spring you need.
My GP did not like the 10lb. main spring. 12lb. everything went bang 8) it helps to give it a "good" cleaning and polish all contact surfaces when new. I never shoot 38's. You can load 357 to 38 if you want but shooting 38's and you clean the cyl. then clean it a few more times :lol: and your ready to go.
Have fun Eric

 

[Sal1950]

Stu,
What is the weapons purpose, self defense or range/plinking?
If self defense 12 lb hammer would probably be a minimum to ensure it goes bang every time. It helps to use Federal ammo, or Federal primers if you reload, they are much more sensitive and produce far fewer light strike problems.
If the weapon is for non-critical use the 10 lb hammer spring should be just fine but now you'll probably have to stay true to Federal products.
As to the trigger spring, depends on the gun and again it's use. With that very light 8 lb trigger spring the trigger can be a little sluggish to return.. Dry fire the gun and then release the trigger very slowly, in the last 1/4 of it's forward movement is where you'll usually encounter a problem when the trigger plunger resets the cylinder latch and the pawl returns to it's resting position. If it feels very rough and gritty and is somewhat sluggish to return in that last bit of travel, you can have reset issues, specially if your trying to do rapid fire.
A full polish job according to the IBOK, or performed by a knowledgeable smith can improve the situation on both counts. But again it just depends on what the gun is used for, and no two guns will react exactly the same to having it's springs lightened.
Trial and error is the best teacher here, changing out both springs on a Ruger is a less than 5 minute job, thank Rugers heart for intelligent design.
Sal

 

[Big Stu]

I just got back from the range and the results were excellent! No problems with single or double action. Single was superb and accuracy was better than I expected. Double action was still stout, but much better then it was. I think for now I will leave well enough alone. The gun will serve as a CCW/defensive weapon as well as a target plinker. That is why I didn't want to lighten up the hammer more then to a 12lb spring. No problems with the reset under rapid fire. here are the results: Picture 1 was shot double action 18 rounds:

Picture 2 was 12 rounds in single action:

Both targets were shot from 25 feet and with Remington 125gr SJHP .357 magnum loads. I placed an empty case on the target for reference.

 

[Sal1950]

Looks good, I'd say your ready to Rock N Roll!
Sal

 

[Big Stu]

I thought the trigger felt much better overall but there is still just a tiny bit of creep. I'm sure with a little polishing it would be better still, but I know my limits, and complete dismanteling of the trigger is just more then I want to get into right now. I also have no polishing stones so I think that its best to leave that part to the professional gunsmith. For now, I'm very pleased with the feel of the new springs.

 

[Thel]

The Wolff website will give the stock spring weights. Based upon what I read on the Ruger Forums at some point a while back Ruger reduced the trigger return spring weight to 10 lbs if this is true. Wolff states the hammer spring stock is 14 lbs.

What weight springs one can use is determined by what mods have been done to the gun such as internal polishing, firing pin protrusion, shims on hammer and trigger, reduced weight hammer and the tolerances in the particular specimen. For a defense gun one would use heavier springs to insure ignition and rapid trigger return. I have one for a range toy with a 9 lb hammer and 8 lb trigger return spring in it. It has been tuned by a gunsmithing operation here. The DA pull is 7.4 lbs and single about 2.75 lbs. It fires all the primers I have run through it. On one of the forums another person had a GP tuned by Apex Tactical with a 7.5 lb DA pull. I emailed the gunsmith once to see what he could get a "game gun " down to and he opined a DA pull in the 5 lb range. The DA pull on my out of the box GP was about 12.5 lbs and single about 4.5 lbs. On an out of the box gun I would try the 10 lb trigger return and 10 lb hammer spring. If you get misfires put in the 12 lb hammer spring and it should work. Sometime in the future on the other forum Iowegan will again offer the IBOK books on tuning the GP if you want to smooth up your specimen and/or reduce the pull weight a bit.

 

[Big Stu]

Thanks. I'm gonna leave well enough alone for a little while and see how things work out. I do think I'll get the inner workings polished up some but not right away. Gun feels and shoots great right out of the box but even better now with the slightly lighter hammer spring and reduced return spring. I have a bunch of Remington ammo to use so I haven't tried any other brands with the new spring set-up.