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How often is everyone replacing springs in there various firearms?

I have around 2000-3000 rounds through my Glock 21 so far and it still functions flawlessly, so haven't felt the need to even think about replacing a spring yet. Round count in other firearms are much fewer and the same reliability for most of them. The couple less reliable ones are due to other factors beyond my control.

I replace them if they break or the gun begins to malfunction.

dcphoto wrote:I replace them if they break or the gun begins to malfunction.

But I've never had to replace a spring in a gun. wullll, I take that back! Back in 1987 I had to replace the firing pin spring I had on a WWII era Sauer & Sohn Mod. 38H. Loved that little thing. First pocket pistol I ever had that had a decocker.

Only replaced two firing pin springs, both in old H&R single shot break action shotguns.

Unless a spring is stretched beyond its elastic limit, which should never happen in normal use (assuming a competent design), it theoretically should last forever. They will fail due to fatigue (repeated use) if they have a flaw from their manufacturing, such as improper heat treat or a crack/blemish, or if they are allowed to corrode or are dameged during handling.

So, there is no need to ever replace a spring until it fails.

Added: That being said, if you are acquiring a used weapon of unknown or dubious history, and you will need to depend on it in an emergency, it might be prudent to do some replacement.

My "go to" training pistol is a Springfield Xdm 9mm. Probably have more than 10,000 rounds thru it. No spring issues to-date, rarely even have to clean it.

Sig wants the recoil spring in a P238 replaced after ~2,000 rounds (forgot the exact number) - I should probably do that sometime this year just because .

The concept of not replacing a spring until it fails works fine for a range gun. On a gun you're betting your life on, not so much.

Recoil springs, by virtue of what they are intended to do, operate very close to their design limit when compressed. The rapid compressing and relaxing of the spring generates heat. Heat affects the temper of the metal, no matter how well it was heat treated. Added to that is that many pistols have the recoil spring located right under the barrel - another heat source. This means the spring is also being heated unevenly, so the temper will be uneven.

If the manufacturer publishes a recommended change interval, there is probably a good reason for it. Ignoring that recommendation could turn out to be false economy.

If it's a range only gun, then wait for it to break. Just don't complain all over the internet when it does.

I replaced the spring in my Sig 250 after 15,000 rounds and only because Sig sent me one for free after telling them I was at 12,000 rounds at the Shot Show a couple of years ago. They told me it should be at 5,000 for that handgun, then again they also are very conservative. I believe that the gun will tell you when it is time, after lots of rounds if I experience a malfunction then I would replace it although it is always good to have a spare on hand.

I believe I have read that its every 5000 rounds on a Sig and that's with a braided recoil spring that looks beefier than most

Is never an answer? I don't even keep up with round counts on my guns though.

Well, its nice to know im not the only one that never has.

5-8k on most of my autos. 3-5k on my 10mm. My 10 seems to need it sooner. Gets to loose after a while