Lighter mainsprings for Pietta 1860's?

A

Andy Griffith

New member
Is there a drop in replacement on the Pietta 1860's for a little bit lighter mainspring? Just asking if anyone else has tried it- I picked up two more that must have been made for that Italian monster in the factory- they are that stiff! :eek:

I see several listed for Uberti's and other single actions...but which one and what part #?
 
Mainsprings, like other gun parts, often require hand fitting. Grind down the sides of your existing monster spring in an hourglass shape like my exaggerated drawing shows. Go slow as with all metal removal projects and don't allow metal to overheat.

Mainspring1.png
 
What I find interesting is that I've read other complaints about Uberti or other mainsprings being so soft that they needed to be stiffened up by using various shims made from leather or wood, or replaced altogether.
 
it's not an ideal fix
Click to expand...

The hourglass shape of the modified spring distributes the forces more evenly across the spring surface resulting in less localized stress and less chance of spring breakage.
 
Well, I took down the spring this afternoon, and ground the sides- at no time did I allow it to get warmer than I could touch (just a little at a time). It isn't quite hourglass shaped because I didn't have to take it down that far- really just a smidgen off of each side so it has an ever so slight hourglass shape. I then polished the sides of the spring so they shone like mirrors and cold blued them to help protect it from rust.

It's now slick, and still has plenty of power to bust the toughest caps. :D

Thank you!
 
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