Polishing Springs

[JohnSmallTX]

I'm following a thread on a modern firearm site discussing the benefits of installing spring kits in S&W pistols -->  http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355741

The discussion has drifted a bit to include comments regarding the benefits of polishing springs.  A comment has been made that polishing a spring will make it smoother in operation and polishing lock springs is commonly performed on muzzle loaders.  I understand the comments about polishing springs to eliminate stress points that may cause a spring to break, but the discussion is focused on smoothness not breakage. 

I have shot TC Hawkins for a considerable amount of time and never had a reason  to fool with the springs.

Is it common practice in building muzzle loaders from scratch to polish the lock springs for smoothness of operation?

Many Thanks for any inputs.  An inquiring mind wants to know.     

[jerrywh]

I personally don't believe that polishing a spring has any effect on how it performs. However I polish all lock parts when I build a gun.  A lot of people will tell you things just to make you think they know more than anybody else.  Polishing your belt won't make it hold up your pants any better. 
  Working surfaces need to be polished. That's about it.  I have seen original springs that were shaped out with a course rasp and left that way. They have been working for two hundred years.
   Then again. If you want to make big money your work has to be extraordinary.

[Long John]

John,

I polish parts of springs on my gun locks.

I polish the top of the frizen spring where the frizzen cam slides back and forth.  I also polish teh frizzen cam as smooth as I can get it.  I make sure that the edge of the frizzen spring does not rub on the face of the lock plate, relieving it a tad if necessary with a file making mu strokes in line with the spring arm.

I polish the mainspring where it contacts the cam of the tumbler and polish teh tumbler cam bearing surface.  I also polish the end of the sear spring where it contacts the sear and polish that part of the sear as well.

I don't know for a fact just how much all this polishing improves the performance of the gun lock but I do it in the belief that it just might make a demonstrable difference.

Gun making is a hobby with me - it is one of the things I do for fun.  Others might have a different take on it.

Best Regards,

John Cholin

[Acer Saccharum]

No need to polish springs, only if you like the look.

I used to think the polish was to give a break no place to start, but later on, I have seen lock springs with big gashy deep file marks across them, and the spring is still good after 150 yrs, so go figure.

Acer

[smart dog]

Hi John Small,
The coil spring on a Thompson Center lock cannot be improved by polishing. You cannot improve it except totally replacing the lock with one that has V springs.  However, it is worth polishing the points on V springs that rub against other parts. Other than that polishing is just for looks.

dave