Springs Under Compression

What prompted this question?

Firing pin spring is not under any more pressure after loading or decocking. Striker fired pistols (the HK is hammer fired) have compressed striker springs when cocked and I know of none that decock. Hammer (main) spring in the HK is compressed with the pistol is cocked.

-- Chuck

chuck s said:

What prompted this question?

Firing pin spring is not under any more pressure after loading or decocking. Striker fired pistols (the HK is hammer fired) have compressed striker springs when cocked and I know of none that decock. Hammer (main) spring in the HK is compressed with the pistol is cocked.
-- Chuck

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Isn't that what forums are for Chuck?

Elijah said:

Are there any springs under compression, such as the firing pin, if you rack a round into the chamber and decock the USP-C 45?

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In your version I don't believe so, but I'm and HK noob. I do believe the hammer spring is partially compressed on a cocked LEM version though.

chuck s said:

What prompted this question?

Firing pin spring is not under any more pressure after loading or decocking. Striker fired pistols (the HK is hammer fired) have compressed striker springs when cocked and I know of none that decock. Hammer (main) spring in the HK is compressed with the pistol is cocked.

-- Chuck

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Mostly because I didn't know-fair enough? I didn't figure there were but thought I'd ask. What prompts any question? Lack of knowing. That's why we're here...or I am at any rate.

Every spring in the gun is under compression 100% of the time. If they weren't, they'd rattle. They may not be at maximum compression, but they are still being compressed more than their free state. If you're worried that it will somehow wear them out prematurely, don't be. Springs are designed to work this way. There are many, many examples of compression springs sitting under full compression for extended periods of time. Various springs found in cars are good examples - valve springs and suspension springs first come to mind - they last millions of cycles and sit for extended periods at near maximum compression. The springs found in your pistol are no different, they're just smaller.

Elijah said:

Mostly because I didn't know-fair enough? I didn't figure there were but thought I'd ask. What prompts any question? Lack of knowing. That's why we're here...or I am at any rate.

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Actually a good question! Nothing better being Pro-active than re-active. Happy Easter Everyone...

AviatorDave said:

Every spring in the gun is under compression 100% of the time. If they weren't, they'd rattle. They may not be at maximum compression, but they are still being compressed more than their free state. If you're worried that it will somehow wear them out prematurely, don't be. Springs are designed to work this way. There are many, many examples of compression springs sitting under full compression for extended periods of time. Various springs found in cars are good examples - valve springs and suspension springs first come to mind - they last millions of cycles and sit for extended periods at near maximum compression. The springs found in your pistol are no different, they're just smaller.

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Dave a great post with alot of good info. thank's!! I know i've done more than my share of testing spring's for BMW's to Military application's. No spring or anything is equal even tho made the same way. Tolerance's are part of anything made. Elijah's question made me realize that some spring's may work fine even if out of tolerance but their Life span would likely be much shorter. Nothing wrong with being prepared as to a spare spring or other part that is typical to fail first...

chuck s said:

What prompted this question?

Firing pin spring is not under any more pressure after loading or decocking. Striker fired pistols (the HK is hammer fired) have compressed striker springs when cocked and I know of none that decock. Hammer (main) spring in the HK is compressed with the pistol is cocked.

-- Chuck

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I know of one decockable striker fired gun.. the Taurus PT 24/7 line :wink:

The reason I asked about what brought the question up is (1) the firing pin spring just sits there until the firing pin is struck, and (2) springs under compression or not doesn't influence the pistol or springs at all.

Thanks for the note on the Taurus striker fired version that has a decocker.

-- Chuck

FWIW, a compression spring will not loose it's stored energy (strength) when it remains compressed. The strength of the spring decreases only when it cycles ( compress, expand, compress, expand...).


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tbc said:

FWIW, a compression spring will not loose it's stored energy (strength) when it remains compressed. The strength of the spring decreases only when it cycles ( compress, expand, compress, expand...).


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You know, I've heard and read this over and over and I guess I'm just a knot head as it still don't make sense to me but I accept it as there's many that know more about springs than myself. My mind wants to tell me a compressed spring will be weaker over time than one at rest, be it mag springs, firing pin springs or what not.

Elijah said:

My mind wants to tell me a compressed spring will be weaker over time than one at rest, be it mag springs, firing pin springs or what not.

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You are correct. But it applies on low quality materials. And I am sure you already know the quality of HKs and in modern pistols in general.

This is why experts recommend to changing the firing pin spring through thousands of rounds fired through the pistols and not through the age of the pistols


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