Mainspring Mania!! Q & A ????

G.T. · 05-01-2004, 11:43 AM

Hi to all! I have been in touch with several forum members who are pretty much in agreement, that current aftermarket P.08 mainsprings are somewhat lacking in several areas... So... I am on a fact / spec gathering mission to see if there is any merit to fabricating a totally new mainspring... Info. that I need to know is: free length of .30 & 9mm springs, number of coils in .30 & 9mm springs, O.A.D. of the spring, and wire dia.... so, all you shooter guys out there, wipe the dust off'a your dial calp's... and get to measuring!

Also, I'd be really interested in the dimensions of your favorite/pet spring that works best for you! Let me know... Best to you all! til...lat'r....GT <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />

Edward Tinker · 05-01-2004, 11:56 AM

GT, on page 256 vol one, Luger Variations is a plate with mags apart, says the wire size .036 inch...

I know that isn't exactly what you are looking for, but thought I'd share.

Ed

G.T. · 05-01-2004, 01:34 PM

Hi Ed! Thanks for your input! but, I think that may be a magazine spring spec! What we're chasing now is the recoil mainspring spec's!! I have the prints, but I want to find out how much the springs varied from the print... I am on a quest to find out what works best! til...lat'r.....GT, Thanks again Ed!

policeluger · 05-01-2004, 02:43 PM

Does't Jones cover all this in his book, 4-6-8" barrels and 9mm/30cal??

Vlim · 05-01-2004, 03:51 PM

GT,

Some data from the 1904 drawings:

18 to 19 rings.
Load at 50mm length: 12 to 14 kilogrammes
Load at 34mm length: 18 to 20 kilogrammes

Spring length : 80mm (tolerance + or - 1.5mm)
ring width : 10.5mm (tolerance - 1.0mm)
spring steel rod: 1.5mm

G.T. · 05-01-2004, 04:52 PM

Thanks Gerben! I have two prints right now, and there spec's are somewhat different the spec's you have posted... the 1904 spec's are very interesting, as it would seem that they had stiffer (1.5mm vs. 1.4mm) wire over a shorter OAL, and less coils then the later 9mm mainsprings, great info. I really appreciate the effort... Hi policeluger! I don't have the Jones book, what is the title??? Have you shot that weimar police unit yet! Hope it shoots well! Best to you, til...lat'r....GT

RockinWR · 05-01-2004, 06:07 PM

GT,
* Howard is correct. Harry Jones covers recoil spring diameter, turns, length, & "poundage" for complete compression(solid height) on pages 29-30 in his book Luger Variations.
* 21 variations covered including the carbine with & w/Out the forearm assist.
* Trust this helps.
Respectfully,
Bob

G.T. · 05-01-2004, 06:42 PM

Hi Bob! Hey! I have a bunch more orig. bottoms, drop me a note! I'll get the book you fellows have outlined! Thanks for the help and info... that's what is really neat avout this site! best to all of you..til...lat'r...GT

Edward Tinker · 05-01-2004, 08:36 PM

Yes, GT, I came across the mainspring and put 2 and 2 together and then bypassed it for the mag spring info.

Ed

Heinmot · 05-01-2004, 10:50 PM

Interesting question.

Wolff can provide the spec info for their aftermarket springs for 36, 38, and 40 lb. springs.

When I switched mine, the Wolff {36 lb} spring was 1 1/8 inch LONGER than the one in the gun. Length of course does not necessarily correspond to strength. Also, I have no idea whether the spring in the gun was original or not.

unspellable · 05-04-2004, 02:13 PM

The Wolff recoil spring's free lemgth is substantially greater than the original.

G.T. · 05-04-2004, 03:08 PM

Hi unspellable! I have heard this comment before, and I have some opinions concerning free length on springs, and overall design parameters (sp?)... OAL, wire dia., and number of coils are all important factors in spring fabrication...but the true quality of a spring is goverened by the material used... If the spring is made of high quality material, it will always return to it's initial set dimension, and will change little over it's lifespan, until it fatigues and breaks... springs that continually digrade, and change (lose) strength are made of inferior materials, and are sub-quality at best... to arrive at this determination, you have to test the hell out of a spring.. and compare it to a given or known quality example... I have no experience with Wolf springs, but look forward to testing them, along with the originals ... I have samples coming! I'll know more later! best to all! til...lat'r...GT

05-01-2004, 11:43 AM	#1
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	Mainspring Mania!! Q & A ???? Hi to all! I have been in touch with several forum members who are pretty much in agreement, that current aftermarket P.08 mainsprings are somewhat lacking in several areas... So... I am on a fact / spec gathering mission to see if there is any merit to fabricating a totally new mainspring... Info. that I need to know is: free length of .30 & 9mm springs, number of coils in .30 & 9mm springs, O.A.D. of the spring, and wire dia.... so, all you shooter guys out there, wipe the dust off'a your dial calp's... and get to measuring! Also, I'd be really interested in the dimensions of your favorite/pet spring that works best for you! Let me know... Best to you all! til...lat'r....GT <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />

05-01-2004, 11:56 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	GT, on page 256 vol one, Luger Variations is a plate with mags apart, says the wire size .036 inch... I know that isn't exactly what you are looking for, but thought I'd share. 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

05-01-2004, 08:36 PM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Yes, GT, I came across the mainspring and put 2 and 2 together and then bypassed it for the mag spring info. 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

05-01-2004, 10:50 PM	#10
Heinmot User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: USA Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Interesting question. Wolff can provide the spec info for their aftermarket springs for 36, 38, and 40 lb. springs. When I switched mine, the Wolff {36 lb} spring was 1 1/8 inch LONGER than the one in the gun. Length of course does not necessarily correspond to strength. Also, I have no idea whether the spring in the gun was original or not. __________________ Psalm 20:7

05-01-2004, 01:34 PM	#3
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	Hi Ed! Thanks for your input! but, I think that may be a magazine spring spec! What we're chasing now is the recoil mainspring spec's!! I have the prints, but I want to find out how much the springs varied from the print... I am on a quest to find out what works best! til...lat'r.....GT, Thanks again Ed!

05-01-2004, 02:43 PM	#4
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Does't Jones cover all this in his book, 4-6-8" barrels and 9mm/30cal??

05-01-2004, 03:51 PM	#5
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,043 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,930 Times in 1,194 Posts	GT, Some data from the 1904 drawings: 18 to 19 rings. Load at 50mm length: 12 to 14 kilogrammes Load at 34mm length: 18 to 20 kilogrammes Spring length : 80mm (tolerance + or - 1.5mm) ring width : 10.5mm (tolerance - 1.0mm) spring steel rod: 1.5mm

05-01-2004, 04:52 PM	#6
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	Thanks Gerben! I have two prints right now, and there spec's are somewhat different the spec's you have posted... the 1904 spec's are very interesting, as it would seem that they had stiffer (1.5mm vs. 1.4mm) wire over a shorter OAL, and less coils then the later 9mm mainsprings, great info. I really appreciate the effort... Hi policeluger! I don't have the Jones book, what is the title??? Have you shot that weimar police unit yet! Hope it shoots well! Best to you, til...lat'r....GT

05-01-2004, 06:07 PM	#7
RockinWR User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: D/FW, Tx Posts: 279 Thanks: 109 Thanked 31 Times in 16 Posts	GT, * Howard is correct. Harry Jones covers recoil spring diameter, turns, length, & "poundage" for complete compression(solid height) on pages 29-30 in his book Luger Variations. * 21 variations covered including the carbine with & w/Out the forearm assist. * Trust this helps. Respectfully, Bob

05-01-2004, 06:42 PM	#8
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	Hi Bob! Hey! I have a bunch more orig. bottoms, drop me a note! I'll get the book you fellows have outlined! Thanks for the help and info... that's what is really neat avout this site! best to all of you..til...lat'r...GT

05-04-2004, 02:13 PM	#11
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	The Wolff recoil spring's free lemgth is substantially greater than the original.

05-04-2004, 03:08 PM	#12
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	Hi unspellable! I have heard this comment before, and I have some opinions concerning free length on springs, and overall design parameters (sp?)... OAL, wire dia., and number of coils are all important factors in spring fabrication...but the true quality of a spring is goverened by the material used... If the spring is made of high quality material, it will always return to it's initial set dimension, and will change little over it's lifespan, until it fatigues and breaks... springs that continually digrade, and change (lose) strength are made of inferior materials, and are sub-quality at best... to arrive at this determination, you have to test the hell out of a spring.. and compare it to a given or known quality example... I have no experience with Wolf springs, but look forward to testing them, along with the originals ... I have samples coming! I'll know more later! best to all! til...lat'r...GT