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So I was online buying some sights for a new revolver, and on a whim picked up a pack of upgraded springs. Only about $9, and supposedly will be a huge improvement (or so say all the reviews I have read). My question - if such a cheap part can make such a difference, why don't the manufacturers just use better springs?

AndyC wrote:Because some MBA decided to save the company $3 per spring, which saved the company $3 million - and he looks like a hero. Tadah

Seems a little short sighted. I would think that the perceived quality and increased price of the firearm would far exceed the $3 saved. But who am I?

1. Like AndyC said.
2. Not all "improved" springs are.
3. Most OEM's try to make their equipment work in a very broad range of conditions. While I can swap springs and tailor my pistol to function with the loads I want to use, they have to make it function with whatever ammunition is out there - hard AND soft primers, Alaska in February and Texas in August with whatever lubricant might be on it, if any ...
4. Liability in court.

I've seen revolvers with such weak trigger return springs that I had to wait on the trigger to reset, and mainsprings that didn't set off commercial primers on a regular basis.

Yes, I use aftermarket springs in some of my serious firearms. But I test for function with any hardware change, just like I test when I change ammunition.

threoh8 wrote:1. Like AndyC said.
2. Not all "improved" springs are.
3. Most OEM's try to make their equipment work in a very broad range of conditions. While I can swap springs and tailor my pistol to function with the loads I want to use, they have to make it function with whatever ammunition is out there - hard AND soft primers, Alaska in February and Texas in August with whatever lubricant might be on it, if any ...
4. Liability in court.

I've seen revolvers with such weak trigger return springs that I had to wait on the trigger to reset, and mainsprings that didn't set off commercial primers on a regular basis.

Yes, I use aftermarket springs in some of my serious firearms. But I test for function with any hardware change, just like I test when I change ammunition.

That makes sense to me.

threoh8 wrote:1. Like AndyC said.
2. Not all "improved" springs are.
3. Most OEM's try to make their equipment work in a very broad range of conditions. While I can swap springs and tailor my pistol to function with the loads I want to use, they have to make it function with whatever ammunition is out there - hard AND soft primers, Alaska in February and Texas in August with whatever lubricant might be on it, if any ...
4. Liability in court.

I've seen revolvers with such weak trigger return springs that I had to wait on the trigger to reset, and mainsprings that didn't set off commercial primers on a regular basis.

Yes, I use aftermarket springs in some of my serious firearms. But I test for function with any hardware change, just like I test when I change ammunition.

FTW

there can also be warranty issues if you change things as well