Mainspring Crimps

[niemi24s]

Other than perhaps making it a little easier to lose the smaller parts, is there any disadvantage to grinding off the crimps on the insides of the ends of the mainspring to make cap and pin retainer removal & installation easier?

Other than small part retention, I can't see any purpose for the crimps.

Can you?

[pa_guns]

Hi

Should make the pin pop right out ....

Bob

[1911Tuner]

than small part retention, I can't see any purpose for the crimps.

That pretty much nailed it. Ther's a tool specifically for that, but I don't have one and would only use it on a select few pistols anyway. I switch out mainsprings about twice as often as I need to in order to maintain a fine edge with the slide delay. Removing the plunger and cap...especially the plunger...with a crimped spring is one of those exercises that I can do without.

[niemi24s]

Removing the plunger and cap...especially the plunger...with a crimped spring is one of those exercises that I can do without.
I hear ya. Even if the plunger (the bottom one) didn't have that reduced-diameter area toward the bottom of the stem it wouldn't be such a struggle to get off the spring.

<out cometh the Dremel with the 1/8" diamond point - whirrrrr!>

Cheers

[niemi24s]

Hi Johnny:

Maybe chamfering the plunger's edge where it steps down to the smaller diameter would make it easier to "unscrew" a crimped spring. Not much room to work in after chucking up the plunger, though.

Cheers