Reduced power springs in Redhawk.

[parallaxbill]

I recently purchased the Wolff (set of three reduced power springs) for my two Redhawk revolvers. Has anyone else done this and had any ignition problems? I put the 12 lb spring in my 4.2" 45 Colt Redhawk and plan to replace the one in my 357 Redhawk with the 13 lb spring. I have not tested the 45 yet.
Thanks

[needsmostuff]

As a whole I do not believe Redhawks respond well to a lighter spring as the only change.

[gnappi]

Yup, I had a RH that wore the stock spring after a few attempts to get a decent trigger with spring kits.

I only bought blackhawks and S&W's since then.

[contender]

I prefer to work an action instead of using spring weights to try & get a better trigger feel. A proper action job is smooth enough that a spring change isn't necessary.

Many people find using reduced springs cause ignition issues. Good luck with yours!

[45MAN]

I HAD IGNITION ISSUES WITH A LINEBAUGH 45 COLT CONVERSION OF A 5.5" REDHAWK. AFTER I GOT IT FROM LINEBAUGH I SENT IT TO MNP FOR MNP AND ACTION WORK. I DO NOT KNOW IF MNP USED A LIGHTER SPRING OR NOT. ANYWAYS, I CURED THE IGNITION PROBLEM WITH A HEAVIER SPRING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT LIGHTER SPRINGS IN A REDHAWK ARE THE DIRECTION TO GO IN.

[bradshaw]

Like John Moses Browning and a few others before William B. Ruger, Ruger liked to have a single part perform two functions. The mainspring in his Redhawk does that by acting as the trigger rebound spring, also. This attempt at simplification made it more difficult to tune both single & double action pulls. The inertia or spring-load of a transfer bar wants a slightly stiffer mainspring. To complicate matters, some Redhawks shipped with a short firing pin, which is undesirable in any theatre.

Ruger’s cure was to introduce his Super Redhawk, which restored the tradition of a separate main & trigger spring. Ruger designed the SRH frame to incorporate the ejector rod shroud; and, thereby, eliminate expense of drop forging the Redhawk barrel. The Redhawk barrel starts as round stock. Original Redhawk and SRH barrels were gun drilled, then rifled with pull-through broach. Once tools to hammer forge barrels was installed in Newport, New Hampshire, barrels for most Ruger models were hammer forged, including Super Redhawk. My guess, at least until sleeved barrels were introduced, the Redahwk cost more to make than a Super Redhawk.

Those in possession of a good old Redhawk may want to think twice before selling. These double action revolvers are as close to an anvil as moving parts get.
David Bradshaw

[jd]

Lighter hammer springs mean longer lock time....... I would much rather have a faster lock time and deal with a heavier trigger, than have a lighter trigger and a longer lock time...

[parallaxbill]

Oh well, I guess I'm not going to hear from someone that actually can give me some hands on feedback about their own personal experience with lighter springs in their own Redhawks.
No harm done, as it only costs me a few dollars to experiment with the springs.

These responses, however appreciated by me as they are, were not what I was looking for.

I own slick S&W handguns, some with excellent action jobs, and a pile of old model Ruger single action revolvers in which none of mine break higher than 3 lbs so I have decades of trigger break and double action trigger pulls to relate to. I asked a specific question about Redhawks with Wolff reduced power springs and if anyone had any feedback.

Thanks for trying.

[bradshaw]

parallaxbnll.... excellent idea, to experiment for yourself.
Haven’t messed with a light mainspring in the Redhawk. Suffice to say, several shooters brought me Redhawks which, according to the owners, didn’t misfire until they installed a light spring. Return to the factory spring cured their respective misfires. A tip for your Redhawk: fetch the hardest-to-ignite Large Pistol Primers to begin your experiment with how light a mainspring secures full reliability DOUBLE ACTION.

Double action is the test because it’s the shorter HAMMER FALL.
David Bradshaw

[ezekiel38]

Well Parallax, nobody stepped up to the plate I will. I've owned 3 Redhawks. 2 5.5" a blued model and a stainless; and a 4" 44 when they first came out. All three were 44s. I tried a lighter mainspring/trigger spring in the 4" and it was a hit and miss proposition. Federal and Winchester factory no ignition problems. Handloads spotty with CCI primers and primer depth.

I own no Redhawks anymore, as I am old and they are too heavy and I don't go in the deep timber anymore. I own Smiths in 44, and enjoy loads in the 1,000 to 1,100fps range. Model 69s are my favorite.

FWIW the blued 5.5" was superbly accurate straight from the box.

[contender]

My apologies for not directly offering my experiences.

Back in the 1980's I got my first Redhawk. A company called; "Bullseye Springs" had springs for the Redhawk. I tried them & promptly removed them due to mis-fires. I have not tried Wolff Springs,, but I'd guess similar experiences are very likely.

[parallaxbill]

Thanks, I will post up my findings including my loads and primer information just to be precise with my results.

[gnappi]

Apr 19, 2023 16:45:03 GMT -5 parallaxbill said:

Oh well, I guess I'm not going to hear from someone that actually can give me some hands on feedback about their own personal experience with lighter springs in their own Redhawks.
No harm done, as it only costs me a few dollars to experiment with the springs.

These responses, however appreciated by me as they are, were not what I was looking for.

I own slick S&W handguns, some with excellent action jobs, and a pile of old model Ruger single action revolvers in which none of mine break higher than 3 lbs so I have decades of trigger break and double action trigger pulls to relate to. I asked a specific question about Redhawks with Wolff reduced power springs and if anyone had any feedback.

Thanks for trying.

 

Myself and 45man directly answered your Q with hands on experience and others with more known than anecdotal comments did.

As far as BRAND springs for the RH go, Wolff is the best known and AFAIK most used (which is what I and most others likely used) AND most widely available just about anywhere. That said Wolff specifically were useless in my Redhawk. I guess you wanted to read of first hand experiences with Wolff in particular? There you have it I used Wolff springs, mea culpa for not specifying your brand of choice.   :-)  

Anyway, experiment yourself and in the long run I think you'll find out you're wasting time and money trying to get a RH to perform like a 629 S&W.







 


 

[rleprechaun]

I installed the lightest Wolff spring in my Redhawk and had misfires. So I removed it, and installed the middle spring and had no misfires in 31 years of use. I have fired my different loads in this gun including hot handloads, 240 gr factory loads, and Garret +P loads.

[parallaxbill]

Apr 20, 2023 3:55:10 GMT -5 rleprechaun said:

I installed the lightest Wolff spring in my Redhawk and had misfires. So I removed it, and installed the middle spring and had no misfires in 31 years of use. I have fired my different loads in this gun including hot handloads, 240 gr factory loads, and Garret +P loads.

Thank you!