H&R 922/923 steel vs plastic mainspring assemblies

C

Carmady

New member
I've read where the stock factory plastic head often breaks on these. The Numrich steel head replacement is usually recommended. I was looking at their two options, one with the plastic head and another with a steel head.

The difference goes further than that.
The mainspring assembly with the plastic head has 21 coils.
The assembly with the steel head has 24 coils.

Has anyone who changed to the steel assembly noticed an increase or decrease in trigger pull?

Pics from Numrich
 
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I expect the difference in the number of coils is the result of use of a slightly different spring, maybe a different diameter, that has nothing to do with the follower material. I also think the metal might not be steel, but a white metal like H&R originally used. In any case, the metal is better than the plastic.

One time I had a customer bring in one of those guns with the plastic follower broken. At the time only plastic was available from H&R, so I put in a new one. The gun came back again, same problem. So, new part, again. And back in again. Finally, I got mad, made one out of steel and there were no further complaints. (Had I charged him the normal rate, that part would have cost $50 or so, even then.)

Jim
 
Thanks, Jim.

I just got one a 923 and will change to the metal version if I decide to keep it.

I found another thread which describes removal/reinstallation, and it seems easy enough.

Would that be a good place for grease instead of oil?
 
I was about to order a steel assembly, but I checked to see what was in there first...a steel one. I thought all the stock ones were plastic. I guess H&R switched from plastic to metal at some point, or a previous owner changed it. Mine was made in 1955.

I shot it for the first time today and it worked fine, except it didn't want to fire Winchester Dynapoints in double action. CCI's fired in both SA and DA every time.

It'll soak overnight in the 3-part version of Ed's Red.

Thanks again.

Edit: This spring has 23 coils. I guess they weren't too choicey about springs.
 
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No, they switched from metal to plastic. They started out with what looked like machined steel, went to a casting of some kind, then to a white metal casting (zinc?), then to plastic. The last was a real disaster because the plastic they used tended to deteriorate over time and break up. That was a fairly common problem with early plastics, and plastics in general got a bad reputation when used in guns.

With a big market almost guaranteed, the parts places are having repros of those H&R spring guides made, of metal.

Jim
 
That makes more sense. Businesses usually start off with a good product, and then try to find ways to make it cheaper. Thanks for the explanation.

I was surprised at how close it shoots to POA with the fixed sights and 2.5" barrel.
 
I just checked my 922 and it is metal.
Very easy to remove. Just like the Ruger there is a hole at the end of the spring guide. Cock the hammer, insert small pin, and then release the hammer. The whole assembly comes out.

I agree with James K. The metal seems to make more sense and I have never had a problem with mine.
 
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