Question about replacing mainspring on SAA

[Bruce H.]

I have a Cimarron SAA colt clone that I want to install a Wolff reduced power mainspring in. I know that the mainspring is held in place by a screw on the inside of the front part of the gripframe. When I remove this retaining screw is the spring going to fly out or will it remain in place so that I can grab it with my fingers? I just want to be ready in case it will come flying out. Also, how difficult will it be to reinsert the retaining screw with the new mainspring in place? Will I have to fight the spring to get the screw seated? I have replaced a mainspring on a Blackhawk. The hardest part of that was compressing the mainspring so that I could get the baseplate onto the hammer strut and place a finishing nail into the hole at the bottom of the strut.

 

[Harry Bonar]

Colt SA

Sir;
Welcome to the forum.
No, the spring will not fly out. Just remove the grip frame and the screw and put the new spring in. Be sure it's stiff enough for sure ignition. Ruger has coil springs, colt SAs don't.
Harry B.

 

[James K]

You can sometimes get by with just removing the grips and using a screwdriver at an angle, without removing the backstrap.

Jim