Wolff Spings... really poor fit!

[LuckyPierre]

Well, I ordered my Wolff springs just before all this "order the hi-power Springs" business started turning up on the forum.  Merde.

The "extra power calibration pack" springs are all, each and every one, too long!  Using the stock guide rod (trying to stay production legal), the springs buckle so badly, they bind the slide forward.

Can I simply clip some coils, or will the sharp-ass front created by cutting beat up my gun?  Yes, I know the clipped springs will bave a different spring constant than previous.

The 1911 springs I ordered are too long, too.

What kind of outfit is this Wolff place?  Is there somewhere else to get springs?

Thanks alot.

[Walt-Sherrill]

The springs are not too long.  Its your EXPECTATIONS that are the wrong length <grin>.

I'll bet you've never replaced "non-captive" springs before, right?

New springs are always longer than old springs, because the new springs haven't taken a "set".   With use, the new springs will get slightly shorter, and then not shorten further.  They will have reached their "design"/intended length and function properly  

That's also why new springs in a magazine make it hard to load the mags to capacity the first couple of weeks...

If you've clipped, you may have screwed up.  Don't do that.  They'd work at first, and then shorten, and then you'd have a problems...

[LuckyPierre]

Luckily, I had the wit to ask before getting out the clippers!  

I'll try it, but I will be deeply surprised if the springs shorten all that much, they are a good inch and a half longer than the factory spring.

My goal is to have relatively regular recoil and functional characteristics, shooting any of 115gr, 124gr, or 147gr.  Up here in the frozen north, you have to kind of take what you can get for bargain ammo.  Lots of 9mm shooters, and we get whatever the darned Americans didn't shoot!     Not much!

Our prices are absurd too.  $200 Canuck per thousand.  Aargh.

Cheers,

Pierre

[Walt-Sherrill]

Try compressing the new springs on a pencil, and measure them.  (Keep it pointed in a safe direction.  <Grin>)  Then do the same with the old spring.  

I'll be surprised if the compressed length of the new and old springs are much different.

They really do shorten quite a bit with use.

[LuckyPierre]

Well, it's official.

I've put several hundred rounds through with the 16lb spring, it is the same length as it started, still a rotten fit, and there are rub marks from the spring on my barrel and slide.  Marvellous.

I'm putting WC Wolff down as a manufacturer of third rate products, and I've put back the factory spring.

Cheers,

Pierre

[Walt-Sherrill]

They are NOT third rate products.  

They simply don't make a spring specifically for the CZ, and haven't gone to the trouble of making special ones,  yet.  But as the volume of CZ orders increase, I suspect we can eventually get CZ-specific springs available.

Nearly everyone participating here on the CZ-Forum, when they replace springs, use Wolff.  We can't all be idiots.  

We have found, however, that Browning HP springs are a better fit.  (They're not functionally better - -just look better.)

Wolff makes the best springs available, and you will eventually move away from the factory springs, because they are inferior.  Wolff is about the only alternative.  (Many of the springs available from other sources, like Wilson Combat, are repackaged Wolff springs.)

It may be that you got an improperly packaged spring, and you might send it back to Wolff, explain the problem, and ask for a replacement.

[Radom]

It sounds like an 18# to me.  I haven't had this problem with 16# springs.  Now, compact springs are a different story...

[Radom]

Also, you have to look at it this way...

The factory springs fit perfectly, but 2,000 rounds of full power 9mm will just about wear one out.

The Wolff springs are a PITA to fit, but they will last for roughly 10,000 rounds in my experience.  I say this because I have one at @9,000 round count, and I am just now starting to notice any wear.    

Personally, I think that we are WAY past the point of Wolff offering the proper CZ springs.  Perhaps we should start a polite letter campaign.  (I say "letter" because companies take them more seriously than e-mails.)  Part of the problem may be the quality of the Wolff product.  I think more people would have compalined if they were buying these on a regular basis.  I intitially made a large purchase in 2001, but I haven't needed to buy any of their springs since, except for new pistol purchases.

[SDDLUP]

I agree with FEG.

Sure the Wolff springs are "good", but can't they be made to fit WITHOUT firing a thousand+ rounds through the gun to set the spring? If it's going to be their business to make springs they should FIT properly when first installed without binding , kinking, etc.

[Radom]

I've never had one kink or bind, but I have spent a long time (with very tired fingers) making them fit before.

[LuckyPierre]

I feel a bit vindicated by the last couple of posts.  However vindicated I feel, though, I'm still stuck with about $90 US worth of spring that are NFG.

I wonder if Wolff will take a return?  From Canada?

Cheers,

Pierre

[Walt-Sherrill]

Clip the bleeped things.  Heavy wire snips or angle cutters will do it.  Make them just long enough that they dont "stack" when the slide is fully compressed.  Once you've got one right, measure it, and the next time you'll know what to do.

I put an 18 Pounder in my 85 Combat.  It was difficult to get in, but it works fine.  I think I prefer a 16 pound spring, however.

[Miossi Gun Works]

Your springs will take a "set" once compressed in the gun.  If you clip coils you will not get the same affect as if you had a lower weight spring.  It is the diameter of the wire used to make the spring that gives its rating.  If I were you I would pay the shipping to return the springs for the ones you really want.  You say you have $90.00 in springs that are no good to you, why ruin the spring by clipping coils?  Either get it in the gun and let it take a set or exchange them.

Just my .02 worth

Miossi Gun Works LLC
702 Park Dr
Monticello, IA 52310

[jim]

just purchased a cz 75 compact 9mm and   wondering if u think i should replace the recoil spring with heavier  one or  just leave it as is, been reading the comments regarding  how  some  are to weak  from  factory!  Jim manofleasure2000@yahoo.com

[Walt-Sherrill]

Leave it until you notice problems.  The Compacts already come with heavier springs, and if you go too heavy, you'll have a hard time racking the slide.  

If you begin to see you spent casing going into the other county, that a sign that a new spring is needed.  If it does that early on, you might need a stronger spring.