The first baby was silver soldered and you can hardly see the seam. I welded this one and have been informed by knowledgable sources that the welding will take bluing, as it is composed of carbon steel. I will find out when I rust blue it! As for the shorter spring; I used an "extra power" spring from Wolff and cut it to the correct length. Baby #1 is in 30 Luger, and will function with 96 gr bullets, but not with the 60 gr loads that I shoot in my 6".