Mark I Recoil Spring and Ammo Questions...

[SGW Gunsmith]

Volquartsen does sell a "recoil spring kit". The recoil spring assembly has three recoil springs, reduced, normal & extra power. Now, these kits do actually make changing springs quite easy. The original style recoil spring assembly does not. I have done it, but it's a PITA to do. We stock and use this kit quite often:

 

[Dan in MI]

There is always Ruger or Ebay for a replacement assembly.

 

[45flattop]

Volquartsen does sell a "recoil spring kit". The recoil spring assembly has three recoil springs, reduced, normal & extra power. Now, these kits do actually make changing springs quite easy. The original style recoil spring assembly does not. I have done it, but it's a PITA to do. We stock and use this kit quite often:

I might well have shot my mouth off before double checking my answer, if so,
forgive me please. I have now double checked the VQ website looking for the
spring kit that SGW Gunsmith has confirmed that they do sell but had no luck
SO FAR. I would highly appreciate it if SGW could post a link to the kit directly
in case I'm grossly overlooking it, thanks.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Try giving Volquartsen a phone call.

 

[Montelores]

Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experience...

So I will circle back to my original questions:


Is it advisable to replace the recoil spring on this (possibly) 50 year-old Ruger?

Is there a preferred ammo velocity for this model?

My Mk.III seems to shoot / function well with both of these ammos, so any advice is appreciated...

Thanks -

Monty

I have placed in bold text the root of my concerns.

I'll phrase it another way, since I really wasn't clear -


Can a 50+ year-old recoil / mainspring function properly, without damaging the gun?


Thanks again -

Monty

 

[Jeepnik]

Yes, a 50+ spring can function properly. It all depends on how much it was used in those 50+ years. If is doubt, or it makes you feel better, change the spring it's cheap and easy.

 

[45flattop]

Try giving Volquartsen a phone call.

As it happened, I found one of those VQ packages the spring kit comes in
left over from when I rebuilt an older quite tired MKI and found the item
key on the reverse, VC3RS and the search link on the VQ site promptly
took me there so I ordered a couple for future use. I do have to wonder
why VQ has items for sale that are not on their website under any category
I could think of, I would assume that costs them sales revenue. I didn't
try calling them since it is the weekend and the best I would hope for is
a recording/answering machine.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

If, by chance, anyone here does try to actually change the spring on a Ruger factory recoil spring assembly, it would be interesting to read just how easy that endeavor was. Here's a pic of a Ruger factory "recoil spring assembly". These parts may not even be available from Ruger any longer:

The front end of the spring rod is peened over to maintain that front piece in place. If you do remove the peened area, be prepared to see the spring take off quickly, along with that front part, and then, be prepared to re-peen the end of the spring guide rod over again to keep the "new" spring in place. Just make sure that the rod is not shortened any, during this easy task. Let us know just how much fun you had.

 

[langenc]

Probably worried about getting it back together in less than couple hrs after cleaning.
Good luck-just get the dangle in the pocket and it will pop right together.