Colt mainspring question

[Clark]

I have a Police Positive that can fire magnum primers on single action, but not on double action.

I have a Colt Agent [much newer] that has an idenical spring, but can fire magnum primers in double action. It feels harder to pull back the hammer too.

Has anyone else replaced a Colt mainspring?

 

[Daniel Watters]

All you have to do is remove the stocks and sideplate. I like to use needlenose pliers to compress the V-spring for removal. If you are feeling adventurous you could try bending the upper arm of the spring to increase the tension. The correct method is shown in Jerry Kuhnhausen's "The Colt Double Action Revolvers: A Shop Manual, Vol. I".

 

[Clark]

it worked

Daniel, thanks for the tip. It was harder than you made it sound, but I had fun doing it.

The top of the mainspring is a forked cup that captures a pin with an eyed lever. I had to compress the spring and put in the pin. I held it with needle nose pliers wrapped with a rubber band.

The pistol now takes a harder pull to get the hammer back. If I tested it now with primer, I might get arrested. I will wait for a trip to the range

 

[4V50 Gary]

I generally use two pin punches to remove the mainspring. One is used to push the upper leg of the "V" spring down, and the smaller punch is used to disengage the stirrup.