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General => Gunsmithing => Topic started by: RDub01 on February 28 2016 06:19:50 PM MST

Title: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: RDub01 on February 28 2016 06:19:50 PM MST
Hello

After a shoot and breaking the pistol down, I notice this;

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f218/rafswede/Glock%20Spring/spring-not%20normal_zpseuheyybb.jpg~original

It should look like this;

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f218/rafswede/Glock%20Spring/spring-normal_zpsqv62bhty.jpg~original

Should I be concerned?



Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: The_Shadow on February 28 2016 06:33:47 PM MST
RDub, that happens a lot with the captive springs and rods, I have seen some fall out while disassembling the pistol.  It is not a problem but, I think this can account for early unlock with some factory recoil systems.

It is also one reason I went to non captive recoil systems for mine, they add more spring pressure at lock up too!
It was a measurable difference on my G-20 and G-29 with the Wolff non captive springs compared to the factory captives.
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: RDub01 on February 28 2016 10:31:11 PM MST
Hey Shadow
I have an ISMI 22# spring I played around with.  But for some reason the factory spring seemed to yield better groups with most loads.

If this is not a big problem I won't worry about it.

The factory spring is 18#?  Is there a after market spring that duplicates this?

Something to think about..

Thanks
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: ishoot4thriLLs on February 29 2016 02:35:48 PM MST
Actually, the G20 factory spring is 17#.

Every time I field strip my Gen 3 G20, my RSA isn't where it was when I assembled it. But, I've never had a problem while assembled and shooting it. I've heard this is pretty common with Glocks.
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: The_Shadow on February 29 2016 02:50:08 PM MST
Well the Factory Glock 20SF spring is 18 lbs and that is exactly what mine measured at the point of lock open.

Here you can see the measurement readings I measured for the Wolff Springs and the Glock 20 and 29

http://10mm-firearms.com/gunsmithing/wolff-gun-springs/ (http://10mm-firearms.com/gunsmithing/wolff-gun-springs/)
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: RDub01 on February 29 2016 06:02:35 PM MST
Ok Shadow, I'll check that out.

Well a few guys at work told me this happens to them as well.  So, no worries..

Thanks
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: DM1906 on March 01 2016 05:10:15 PM MST
The Glock 20/21, Full or SF factory RSA spec. is 17#. When newer, they can measure greater, but the spec. is 17. The only differences between the Full and SF frame is external.

If your factory RSA is not preloading, something is wrong, such as your slide lock installed backwards (which can be comical at the range when someone's slide and barrel launch toward the target after a shot). It does not allow for less lock-up tension than an uncaptured spring, unless something is wrong or broken. The slight tension you feel placing the spring into the slide before assembly is less than the tension between the slide and frame, when installed in the frame.

The spring only engages the notch on the barrel for assembly. Once assembled, it departs that notch by about 1/64", and engages the spring channel in the frame. Until the next disassembly, it never touches that notch, again. Remove the RSA and insert it into the frame spring channel (no slide or barrel installed). THAT is what engages the rear of the spring, nothing else. It is normal, albeit annoying, for the spring to not be where you left it when, or just fall out. Some of my many Glocks stay, some hit the floor with regularity (including my G20 with factory barrel and RSA). Factory or aftermarket RSA, doesn't matter. I have, or have had, every Glock model before G40 except 25/28. They all did it, at least occasionally. Some have never not done it.

Uncaptured springs are good for changing spring weights with fewer, or one guide rod. It does nothing functional. If, for any reason it does, something is broken, either the RSA or the gun. The same spring, uncaptured, will actually weight less than when captured. An advantage to uncaptured (or disassembled captured) springs is, they can be allowed to "relax" at full length when not installed. Beneficial or not? I haven't seen it, but some claim they have. I frequently use uncaptured springs when tuning a spring to a pistol.
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: RDub01 on March 02 2016 10:25:38 PM MST
Ok thanks.. Most interesting.  Quite amazing considering the design that goes into these pistols..
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: Dave84 on March 08 2016 02:05:11 PM MST
My 29 does this everytime with the  recoil spring. All the others seem to keep it place.
Title: Re: G20-SF recoil spring out of position
Post by: Pablo on March 08 2016 02:36:12 PM MST
My slide lock lever spring actually broke. The result is the lever would engage every time. Since the spring is more or less integral it gave me an excuse to buy the LW extended lever. Nothing flashy or large. About the same price, but the spring looks a tad better.