Replacing mag spring......

1820 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Blitzkrieg, Dec 4, 2012

LeMat

Discussion Starter · Nov 16, 2012

I'm replacing the mag spring in my old Win 1200 Defender. Bought it new back in the mid 80's and it seems that the spring has compressed to the point that it just doesn't have the oomph it once had. Weird, but there it is.

I ordered a Nordic replacement spring which is 45".

Just wondering if anyone has a secret other than a whole bunch of trial and error in determining the proper length it should be.

Its a 7 round tube. Figured I'd just install the spring and see how many rounds can be loaded. Clipping coils until I can fit 7 in there.

Anyone with experience with this?

It was easier to get the Nordic than trying to track down a factory spring.

Thanks!

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

olhippy

· #2 · Nov 16, 2012

No experience with a Nordic but sounds like you are on the right track. What few(very few) aftermarket springs I have replaced, the package had a chart listing make of gun and what the lenth of spring should be. Maybe talk to your local gunsmith?

Save

Blitzkrieg

· #3 · Nov 16, 2012

Yes, find out the factory specs, cut yours 1 inch longer and see if you still have full mag capacity.. if not nip off 1/2 inch each time till you do

I change my bedside shotties mag every 5 years or so with a Wolff spring.. and I always have extras as well as keeping and tagging the old springs, in case I run into a gun with a shorter mag that needs a spring

Save

olhippy

· #4 · Nov 16, 2012

Blitzkrieg said:
Yes, find out the factory specs, cut yours 1 inch longer and see if you still have full mag capacity.. if not nip off 1/2 inch each time till you do

I change my bedside shotties mag every 5 years or so with a Wolff spring.. and I always have extras as well as keeping and tagging the old springs, in case I run into a gun with a shorter mag that needs a spring

Good idea about the old springs. I`ll have to start doing that.

Save

LeMat

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 17, 2012

Thanks guys. Basically been loaded for almost 30 years. Its pretty short.

Save

PowPow

· #6 · Nov 17, 2012

If the OD, wire diameter and metal composition of the new spring is the same as the old one, you should be able to cut the new one to the same number of coils as the old one, if I remember that homework problem from mech eng classes from 30 years ago correctly. It will be longer than the old one since the old one is compressed, but should have the same spring constant as the old one did when it was new.

Save

Blitzkrieg

· #7 · Nov 17, 2012

LeMat said:
Thanks guys. Basically been loaded for almost 30 years. Its pretty short.

We'll let you do the measuring

BTW my gal and I are huge Tom Baker/Dr Who fans

Save

Reactions: 1

HAWKEN

· #8 · Nov 20, 2012

I have a model 1400, that uses the same spring, and I have had no problems. Have you tried stretching the old spring, to give it more tension?

Save

LeMat

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 21, 2012

Blitzkrieg said:
We'll let you do the measuring

BTW my gal and I are huge Tom Baker/Dr Who fans

Guess I could have worded that different.

Tom was the best!

Got it installed tonight and only had to clip twice. Right as rain!

Save

Reactions: 1

olhippy

· #10 · Nov 27, 2012

LeMat said:
u

Guess I could have worded that different.

Tom was the best!

Got it installed tonight and only had to clip twice. Right as rain!

LOL--glad it worked out. I started to reply to the "loaded for 30 years" also.

Save

Blitzkrieg

· #11 · Dec 4, 2012

LeMat said:
u

Guess I could have worded that different.

Tom was the best!

Got it installed tonight and only had to clip twice. Right as rain!

Good show old chap!

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month