Smith made some different extractor rod springs, Im not positive, but think they were light blue color. I came into a gun that didnt have full extractor rod travel, it stacked up solid well before running out of rod length. In studying on the matter, there was a different spring, i dont recall if it was called a California or LE spring, but was intended to reduce the rod travel to try to reduce or eliminate the cases getting under the star. Preferring the sharp slap ejection which doesnt tend to get cases under the star, I got a normal spring for the gun and have full travel of the rod. Ive recently come across another one, and it turns out the only replacement springs I have are the blue ones. Not sure how I ended up with a couple of them new in Brownells packages, I wouldnt have ordered that type if given a choice.
I'm a believer in sharp ejector strokes and as much travel as one can reasonably get. I modified my Ruger SAs with a different rod and shortened the spring, when reloading the 45 SAs, the empties land about 3-4 feet away and to my 7:00-8:00. The longer rod and sharp stroke make a difference there also.