Cheap trigger mods

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I have an FEG P9 and a Taurus PT92, both bought for under $300, and both have crisp, heavy triggers with short resets.

I ground down the hammer spring to improve trigger weight. This may not be great in the long run, but hey, the springs are easily changed if need be!

Ground off 2 coils on FEG; accuracy went from WTF? to 3" groups at 25yds.

Ground off a coil on the PT92; will test accuracy when I get a new-style Beretta locking block, but it was mighty accurate before, it just took extra concentration not to dip with the heavy trigger.

Both feel much improved and I dig them!:)
 
The main thing you will have to watch out for is failure to fire. I've had even commercial reduced weight hammer springs spoil ignition consistency before.
 
I happily grind away a loop or two ... as taught by a gunsmith in class. Plus, stone action, etc. If it does not perform as it should .... make it do so!

You can try replacing springs, etc but at times it comes to removing metal!
 
Rolling or spinning coil springs on a belt sander will reduce tension without reducing length and usually is better than cutting coils.

But let an "elitist gunsmith" pass on the word. Manufacturers build extra power into mainsprings and return springs because they don't know the conditions under which the gun will be used. Without that extra power, the gun could fail if it is cold or dirty, or if the primers are a bit hard, or the ammo is old. Many customizers know their guns are rich boy's toys and will never be used for any serious purposes, so they put out guns with weak springs that can be operated by weak hands.

Before you reduce spring tension or replace factory springs with light ones, you should know for an absolute certainty that your gun will NEVER be used in a life or death situation under any kind of adverse conditions. If you shoot only on a clean range and your guns stay in the safe otherwise, no sweat. If you carry, you have to wonder if your gun could ever be dropped in a mudhole, or be rained on, or have sand blown into it. If you are certain that could never happen, ever, then reduce spring tension. If the gun misfires on the range, it doesn't matter.

Jim
 
Good advice from Jim. I'll add that if you look at manuals, and Kimber comes to mind as an example, you will see guidelines for replacing springs after so many rounds. Springs take a set over time, so some of the extra strength is to allow for aging, and reducing the springs shortens that life. You can have them cryo treated to mitigate that problem, but I would have a bunch of odds and ends to have done at the same time (drill bits and end mills or hammers and sears or other things you might want to try to extend the useful life of), as they often charge by the pound for that process.
 
springs

Sirs:
Thanks - I never thought of "spinning" them on a belt sander - that would work better - even us "old farts" can pick up something new!;)
Harry B.
 
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I agree, that spinning the trigger spring is a better solution than cutting coils to reduce pull weight. This reduces the spring diameter but doesn't change the overall length which is required to provide adequate spring tension.

Try using a pin punch that fits the inside diamter of the spring, then spin it on a belt sander at a 45 degree angle. You can measure the outside diameter with a mic to see how much you've taken off.

Care should be taken so you don't create too much heat and ruin the spring.

Str8Shootr
 
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"...ground down the hammer spring..." All that will do is reduce the smack the hammer gives to the primer. Just change the springs and polish all the mating sear and hammer parts.
 
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