I ordered some 226 magazine springs for the later Italian magazines. They look like 20 round mag springs as they are 8" long. The retailer is convinced they are correct, but they are a full 2" longer than the original German ones. Unfortunately I do not have any of the later mags to pull springs out of to compare. Can anyone clarify?
thanks, fuzzy

I have found that replacement springs in magazines, recoil springs and many other springs are longer when new, as compared to ones that have been under tension for some time and have developed a "set point".
I recently purchased some used S&W 6906 magazines and ordered new replacement springs and was shocked that the new springs were 3" longer than the original springs I removed. Same thing with the recoil spring that the new one was at least 1.5" longer than the old one.
I would not be concerned at all.

Which magazine are you looking for springs for? I have springs for the old SWAT style 20 rounders and the old German 15 rounders.

Thanks for the responses guys. Vinnie, the springs I Am comparing are both new, so compression is not the issue.
Funnymech, actually, I am not looking for any springs. I have springs, I am only trying to verify the proper length.
Fuzzy

If you need, I can measure the two new springs I have.

funnymech,
Thanks for the offer, I think I may have found the answer. I spoke to Wolff about their versions. Their springs for the current Italian mags are also 2 to 3 coils longer than the old German ones. Since they are dual profile (tapered at top) the top coils compress into the lower on compression. That is how the spring can be longer and still function properly. Again thanks for the offer on springs but the older ones I already had plenty of.
fuzzy

The regular P226 15 rd springs are 8 1/4" long and the wire is bigger and coils are larger than the
18 rd springs which are much weaker looking and smaller and only 7 7/8" long. Both are Mec-Gar.

Would like to see a comprehansive article on mag springs for the P-series, from the 10,13,15,17,18,20(old/new) mag springs. as the general springs avail are just the 15 rounders, you rarely see the other springs. The Spring tensions, coil turns, length, ect. Would the mag extensions change the spring tension much? Seems like the +2/5 would weaken spring as much to affect the feed speed.