Message for THOR Re: INSTALLING A LUGER MAINSPRING By THOR

dacaur · 11-25-2010, 12:23 PM

Hey, just wanted to say a big thank you for this article http://www.lugerforum.com/Mainspring_Install.html
I had told my dad I would install new springs in his Luger that was having problems, but when I got to the mainspring I was EXTREMLY daunted.... I was going to say just forget it when I found your article, which made me think that MAYBE I could do it... so I went for it..... and got it done, THANKS!!!!

The on thing I did differently, is in step 5... I couldn't get the mainspring compressed all the way to get the hook of the mainspring guide over the end of the spring.... I was afraid I was going to pinch my hand between the hook and spring, and pliers were no help.... I managed several times to get it about 3-4 coils from the top though... so finally when I got it 3 coils from the top, I simply took the pliers and rotated the spring so the hook rode up the spring to the top.... like a nut on a screw... made it super easy!!!

Thanks again....

Thor · 11-25-2010, 12:28 PM

Yep, the twist method works but I put a bout 1/3 of the length of the spring in a vice, then gently compress it to hold the spring then the recoil spring guide can be pushed into the spring with a punch through the hole in the end of it without too much effort and hooked over the end. That is the method I use daily! Glad I could help!

MJRiggs · 11-29-2010, 01:46 PM

I also found Thor’s article helpful.

I had the article open on my computer screen while I was wrestling with the main spring, and my hand slipped and I fired the main spring and guide into my computer monitor. I now have two “dimples” in my flat screen monitor, but at least it was not my old CRT monitor – that would have been scary.

Mike

mrerick · 11-29-2010, 07:07 PM

Mike, Glad it wasn't your eyes!

Marc

lugerholsterrepair · 11-29-2010, 07:59 PM

Mike, I have taken old monitors out to my range and shot the dickens out of them..the glass in them is 10 inches thick! I don't think a mainspring would touch an old monitor screen. I was amazed at how thick they are. I guess that's why they are so heavy.

Jerry Burney

MJRiggs · 12-03-2010, 12:26 PM

Yes, I now know to wear safety glasses while playing with springs.
I had no idea that the glass was that thick on the old CRT monitors.

Mike

Thor · 12-03-2010, 03:12 PM

Step 4 of my method says "make SURE to have a pair of SAFETY GLASSES or SAFETY GOGGLES on to protect your eyes. These springs can launch themselves and the rod with MUCH FORCE if they slip!! "

Norme · 12-03-2010, 03:25 PM

For what it's worth, CRT's are vacuum "filled". They don't explode, they implode. Regards

11-25-2010, 12:23 PM	#1
dacaur New User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Message for THOR Re: INSTALLING A LUGER MAINSPRING By THOR Hey, just wanted to say a big thank you for this article http://www.lugerforum.com/Mainspring_Install.html I had told my dad I would install new springs in his Luger that was having problems, but when I got to the mainspring I was EXTREMLY daunted.... I was going to say just forget it when I found your article, which made me think that MAYBE I could do it... so I went for it..... and got it done, THANKS!!!! The on thing I did differently, is in step 5... I couldn't get the mainspring compressed all the way to get the hook of the mainspring guide over the end of the spring.... I was afraid I was going to pinch my hand between the hook and spring, and pliers were no help.... I managed several times to get it about 3-4 coils from the top though... so finally when I got it 3 coils from the top, I simply took the pliers and rotated the spring so the hook rode up the spring to the top.... like a nut on a screw... made it super easy!!! Thanks again....

11-25-2010, 12:28 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Yep, the twist method works but I put a bout 1/3 of the length of the spring in a vice, then gently compress it to hold the spring then the recoil spring guide can be pushed into the spring with a punch through the hole in the end of it without too much effort and hooked over the end. That is the method I use daily! Glad I could help! __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

11-29-2010, 07:07 PM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Mike, Glad it wasn't your eyes! Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-29-2010, 07:59 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,922 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	Mike, I have taken old monitors out to my range and shot the dickens out of them..the glass in them is 10 inches thick! I don't think a mainspring would touch an old monitor screen. I was amazed at how thick they are. I guess that's why they are so heavy. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-03-2010, 03:12 PM	#7
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Step 4 of my method says "make SURE to have a pair of SAFETY GLASSES or SAFETY GOGGLES on to protect your eyes. These springs can launch themselves and the rod with MUCH FORCE if they slip!! " __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

11-29-2010, 01:46 PM	#3
MJRiggs User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I also found Thor’s article helpful. I had the article open on my computer screen while I was wrestling with the main spring, and my hand slipped and I fired the main spring and guide into my computer monitor. I now have two “dimples” in my flat screen monitor, but at least it was not my old CRT monitor – that would have been scary. Mike

12-03-2010, 12:26 PM	#6
MJRiggs User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Yes, I now know to wear safety glasses while playing with springs. I had no idea that the glass was that thick on the old CRT monitors. Mike

12-03-2010, 03:25 PM	#8
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	For what it's worth, CRT's are vacuum "filled". They don't explode, they implode. Regards