TargetTalk

deadeyedick wrote:This could be as simple as an incorrectly set batch of springs. Whatever the reason it is not the end of the earth, and the guns will be made to operate at very little, if any cost.

I don't know if they ever corrected the problem but early SP20 frames were a bit fragile, several fractured with very little use (admittedly mainly in .32).

For that reason alone I would be a bit dubious of changing to non-factory springs on new SP20s.

So, how did the factory fire them to produce the test target?

Hello David, I probably worded my comments incorrectly. I will be contacting the distributors tomorrow morning as I had promised them, and letting them sort out the correct procedure with the factory. They are very courteous and friendly, and I foresee no problems. As I said earlier, it could be simply a batch of poorly set springs. The "we" I referred to included the distributors.

Hello Leon, the problem didn't occur with every magazine. As the test target had only five shots, is is quite possible that the problem did not occur.
Also it is possible that they used slightly punchier ammo, and the problem might never occur.

deadeyedick wrote:the slide return springs were too strong

As I wrote a week ago.

Friend of mine, professional good shooter, uses weaker springs in both .22 and .32 versions (last 4 years). Works.

I use weaker springs in .32 S&W version (last 3 years). Works.

I will post the params of my springs today... you can compare if you want.


I can imagine what Walther support would answer: "try another ammo"... And if I want to use exactly THIS ammo?

Also.

Currently used springs (.32 S&W version):

Length: 105mm
Outer diameter: 4.06mm
Thickness: 0.49mm
Turns: 56



Original old black springs:

Length: 107mm
Outer diameter: 3.84mm
Thickness: 0.58mm
Turns: 70


Original new shiny metal springs (got from Walther in 2010):

Length: 102.5mm
Outer diameter: 3.97mm
Thickness: 0.65mm
Turns: 73

Thanks Ruig. I got back to the Distributors about the test results and they said that there are apparently two different springs with one having more force than the other. They were under the impression that the more recent guns had the softer springs, but obviously ours must not.
They have contacted Walther and we are waiting for them to get back with the factory response.
Thanks for the spring dimensions.

A birdie tells me you are having some troubles with the SP20........
My SP20's (one .22/ one.32) are now 17 months old, the .22 has been using both Geco green pistol as my training round and SK Standard Plus for competition.
The only problem was with the Geco, a occasional round (3rd/4th) in one magazine only would jump the rim of the round below, and misfeed.
A slight modification to the magazine follower to increase the angle solved the problem.
The only other mod's were to put taller foresights on both pistols (for a better sight picture when centre aim) and modify the .32 magazines for 6 rounds to shoot service unrestricted.

Hello David, as you have guessed, the problem is with the slide return springs.
Pistol number four works flawlessly, and when the springs are put into any of the problem pistols...so do they.
Strangely when the marginally stronger springs are in place, whatever ammo is used sounds inconsistent. In other words, you would swear that it was poor quality control ammo, with sound and recoil variations from one bullet to the next. Change the springs and every shot sounds and feels identical even though using the same ammunition.
Guns feel great...beaut trigger, great sights, nice grip.....happy campers.
Have you tried the 50gm. front weight?

regards. Gary

I cast some lead weights to fit in the internal cavity of the frame, shot with them for a while in both, and now have the .32 removed.
The .22 now feel similar to the .32.
Also I prefer the .32 trigger weight to be about 1100g.