Spencer cartridge tube spring weak??

Started by treebeard, October 10, 2013, 08:08:16 PM

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treebeard

When I disasembled  my new Spencer I was looking at the magazine tube spring and felt it was on the weak side even
though it appears undamaged. In SORI this is mentioned and some users will stretch the spring to give it more strength.
My question is about the replacement springs various vendors sell--do they cure the weak spring problem?

By the way the threads in SORI are a big help and I hope are putting me on the right track in getting my CF block
working. I am waiting for some uninterrupted time to work on the rear of the breech block as it is hitting the
rear of the trigger plate.

Two Flints

Treebeard,

"felt it was on the weak side" . . . have you tried loading any cartridges yet? Do that first before you start changing the innards. Or, try stretching the original spring after trying to load a cartridge if the spring doesn't do its job and only if you need to . . . go slowly with any changes.

Two Flints

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treebeard

Two Flints--You're right--I'll deal with the spring if it becomes a problem--right now i have to work with the CF block and
get all the reloading componets together.

Eggman

I'll add here that I believe a common problem among Spencer folks is too strong a spring. What happens is, when feeding a round will enter the ready position in the breach block and the next round will stick its nose out into the breach path slightly, in the way. When shooting rimfire bullets like the originals the pointy bullet deflects away from the swingling breachblock nicely as it passes by. With the centerfire conversions and our blunt bullets there is more of a "bump out of the way" action going on - more like an obstruction to deal with. Thus you don't want too much spring tension resisting this bump.

Trailrider

I most definitely would NOT mess with that spring until and unless you have problems with the last round not feeding all the way onto the top of the lowered breechblock. Attempting to stretch the spring will probably result in it breaking! I haven't checked with S&S, but if you find you need another spring, I'd see if they have another original or a repro.
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Eggman

I have a used spare - perfect length and tension. If you need it I'll let you have it for $10 plus about 2.50 shipping. S&S gets $15.

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