How long would it take

Herb · 10-30-2003, 12:23 AM

to weaken the recoil spring by leaving the toggles in a full cocked position?

lugerholsterrepair · 10-30-2003, 12:46 AM

Herb, I seem to remember a study that was done on magazine springs and it showed there was little weakening dispite many years of compression. I cannot recall where I read this as it was years ago....I doubt if the recoil spring is weakned by compression alone but perhaps more so by use in general. Just speculating as I have no data. Jerry Burney

Edward Tinker · 10-30-2003, 01:02 AM

Jerry, I remember reading this once also, plus I seem to remember, someone like the LA Police Dept did tests on this same kind of thing, (might have been NYPD). I seem to remember that they showed that spring compression was more myth than fact, but they still suggested that magazines be swapped periodically. So, Herb, in a roundabout way, I imagine that the recoil spring could be "weakened" but that it is more likely to have been damaged by over-stressing or use?

Ed

unspellable · 10-30-2003, 08:20 AM

If a spring is not compressed to the yield point (a good design avoids this) it will not weaken by being left in the compressed position. If the spring is constantly flexed it will eventually fatigue and weaken but then it is getting close to failure and should be replaced.

For a softer recoil spring, avoid cutting an original. Aside from questions of original condition, this will reduce the preload too much. For the time being, I will say the way to a soft spring is to buy a Wolff replacement and cut it if required. The Wolff spring has a free length much longer than the original, so cutting it affects the preload less. The preload has as much to do with preventing the Luger from being battered as does the full load strength.

10-30-2003, 12:23 AM	#1
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	How long would it take to weaken the recoil spring by leaving the toggles in a full cocked position? __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

10-30-2003, 12:46 AM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,852 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Herb, I seem to remember a study that was done on magazine springs and it showed there was little weakening dispite many years of compression. I cannot recall where I read this as it was years ago....I doubt if the recoil spring is weakned by compression alone but perhaps more so by use in general. Just speculating as I have no data. 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."

10-30-2003, 01:02 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,987 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Jerry, I remember reading this once also, plus I seem to remember, someone like the LA Police Dept did tests on this same kind of thing, (might have been NYPD). I seem to remember that they showed that spring compression was more myth than fact, but they still suggested that magazines be swapped periodically. So, Herb, in a roundabout way, I imagine that the recoil spring could be "weakened" but that it is more likely to have been damaged by over-stressing or use? Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-30-2003, 08:20 AM	#4
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	If a spring is not compressed to the yield point (a good design avoids this) it will not weaken by being left in the compressed position. If the spring is constantly flexed it will eventually fatigue and weaken but then it is getting close to failure and should be replaced. For a softer recoil spring, avoid cutting an original. Aside from questions of original condition, this will reduce the preload too much. For the time being, I will say the way to a soft spring is to buy a Wolff replacement and cut it if required. The Wolff spring has a free length much longer than the original, so cutting it affects the preload less. The preload has as much to do with preventing the Luger from being battered as does the full load strength.