Replacing mainspring in Uberti Outlaw???

[Bangor Dan]

I've acquired a brace of Uberti Remington Outlaw's in 45 colt, with 7 1\2" barrels. Neat guns, but their hammer pull is.....well......atrocious!
I bought a lightened mainspring from VTI gun parts, but want to be sure I won't break something when replacing the original sping. How does the factory spring come out? Knock it out sideways? Which way?
Thanks in advance for any helpful tips.

Bangor Dan

[Pettifogger]

It's sitting in a notch in the frame, so the only way to remove or install it is from the side.  Just loosen the strain screw, knock out the mainspring, put in the new one and re-tighten the strain screw.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

You can do it from either side. It helps to hold the grip frame in a vice to put the spring back in. The new spring will go in easier than the original. I have a pair of smooth-jawed duckbill pliers that work great for gripping the spring to install it. Put the narrow end into the hammer first then twist a pre-load into the spring as you slip it in. You can center it with a brass hammer once it's started. Be sure to remember the strain screw like Pettifogger mentioned.

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[Bangor Dan]

Well, the VTI mainspring went in ok in my blued Outlaw, and works fine, so I ordered a second to put in my nickeled Outlaw (both are Stoeger imports). After installation when I thumb the hammer back fully, it seems to lock up the hammer. Took it out and reinstalled it a second time with same result. Any ideas\suggestions???

Bangor Dan

[Hoof Hearted]

Bangor Dan

Cycle the hammer with the grip off and see if the "tip" of the spring is interfeing with the back of the hammer at full cock. It might just be a little too long. If so you'll have to sand it slightly with a belt sander or a grinder then radius and smooth. Go slow, you can't put material back and dont get it too hot. It's really not very hard to do

[SFT]

How much better was the action after you put in the new spring?

[Bangor Dan]

The hammer pull on the Outlaw I've managed to install the VTI lightened mainspring in (and function properly) is MUCH better. Now if I can just get the second one to cooperate I'll be a happy camper!

Bangor Dan

[Peddler Parsons]

I replaced both mine with VTI springs and used a 3/8 dowel layed on the inside frame and a pair of plires to hold the springs they went in the grove very easy then tap in with a brass mallet

[SFT]

I replaced both mine with VTI springs and used a 3/8 dowel layed on the inside frame and a pair of plires to hold the springs they went in the grove very easy then tap in with a brass mallet

Thanks for that tip!  I was also wondering how to replace the mainspring in my Remingtons without having to use vice grips in getting the spring back in place.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

A vise grip or any pliers is fine - ya just gotta use some stiff cloth or better, some leather to pad the jaws so's ya don't mark the slide.  That mark would constitute a cut in the metal's surface, and would eventually probably break there.

Peddler Parson's suggestion will work fine, too!

Heck - I've done it without a pliers, but it's a PIA!