Spring question

armedandsafe · January 8, 2008, 10:06 PM

.22 rifle
Wards Western Fields Model 40
No serial number
Bolt action, cock on closing
Tube magazine, under barrel
Ejector extension spring

There are two springs on the ejector. One under the tail to keep it tucked up against the side of the bolt face. The other is behind the ejector to extend it outward, away from the bolt face when the bolt is open. That second spring is broken and a part of it is missing.

If I cannot find this spring and have to wind one, how critical is the strength of this spring? I can think of several methods and materials to use, but would like a little better idea if the tension strength is critical.

Personally, I don't think it is greatly critical, so long as it is not so strong as to make closing the bolt difficult.

Pops

James K · January 8, 2008, 10:48 PM

Most springs of that type need only be strong enough to push the ejector outward with reasonable force. I don't know how big the opening is, but one possibility is the spring out of a retractable ball pen.

If you have to wind a spring, you will probably need fairly thin spring stock, about .024" - .026" diameter, which should be available at Home Depot or some hardware stores. You might also be able to find an old spring that will do the job, depending on what you work on.

Needless to say, Brownells has kits of about every conceivable size of coil spring, as does Wolff, but they simply cost too much for one small job.

Jim

armedandsafe · January 8, 2008, 10:55 PM

The spring in a bp pen is about 2 to 3 times the diameter of this one. It is very small in diameter, but the wire is realtively heavy, compared to bp spring wire. I was thinking of using guitar or piano wire, double wound.

Pops

Hawg · January 9, 2008, 02:35 AM

You could stretch the original spring if it's enough of it left.

James K · January 9, 2008, 02:38 PM

That is a good example of the problem of obtaining coil springs. There are thousands out there, all different. One that would work can probably be found in one of the spring pack kits from Brownell's or Wolff's, but no one wants to pay $10-30 for one spring he needs and a bunch he has no use for. Winding a spring, on the other hand is also tricky, especially with one as small as the one described.

Maybe you could take the old one to a gun shop or even a hardware store and see if they have one like it.

Jim

armedandsafe · January 9, 2008, 10:09 PM

Of course, I first have to figure out how to get the silly thing out of there. I haven't yet found a parts list nor a schematic. I did find out today that it was first purchased in 1935.

I don't think the spring has enough left to stretch. Only one coil shows at the end of the recess. When I snag it and pull it out, there are about four coils showing.

Anybody have any guess what manufacturer mightbe involved here?

Pops

Steven Mace · January 10, 2008, 02:28 AM

armedandsafe, can you post some pictures of your rifle?

Steve Mace

armedandsafe · January 10, 2008, 01:40 PM

Probably not until saturday. Sorry.

Pops

Hawg · January 10, 2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Anybody have any guess what manufacturer mightbe involved here?

Marlin model 101

armedandsafe · January 11, 2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Marlin model 101

Great! Numrich has the schematic. Thanks.

Pops

armedandsafe · January 11, 2008, 11:28 PM

The 101 appears to be a single shot, without the tube magazine underthe bbl. The bolt looks very similar,however. I haven't yet convinced this computer and dialup to let me see the enlarged schematic for detail.

Pops

armedandsafe · January 12, 2008, 03:44 PM

Best I could get, today

Pops

January 8, 2008, 10:06 PM	#1
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Spring question .22 rifle Wards Western Fields Model 40 No serial number Bolt action, cock on closing Tube magazine, under barrel Ejector extension spring There are two springs on the ejector. One under the tail to keep it tucked up against the side of the bolt face. The other is behind the ejector to extend it outward, away from the bolt face when the bolt is open. That second spring is broken and a part of it is missing. If I cannot find this spring and have to wind one, how critical is the strength of this spring? I can think of several methods and materials to use, but would like a little better idea if the tension strength is critical. Personally, I don't think it is greatly critical, so long as it is not so strong as to make closing the bolt difficult. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

January 8, 2008, 10:55 PM	#3
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	The spring in a bp pen is about 2 to 3 times the diameter of this one. It is very small in diameter, but the wire is realtively heavy, compared to bp spring wire. I was thinking of using guitar or piano wire, double wound. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

January 9, 2008, 10:09 PM	#6
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Of course, I first have to figure out how to get the silly thing out of there. I haven't yet found a parts list nor a schematic. I did find out today that it was first purchased in 1935. I don't think the spring has enough left to stretch. Only one coil shows at the end of the recess. When I snag it and pull it out, there are about four coils showing. Anybody have any guess what manufacturer mightbe involved here? Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

January 10, 2008, 02:28 AM	#7
Steven Mace Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 1999 Location: Clifton, Colorado USA Posts: 724	armedandsafe, can you post some pictures of your rifle? Steve Mace __________________ After today, its all historical

January 10, 2008, 01:40 PM	#8
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Probably not until saturday. Sorry. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

January 8, 2008, 10:48 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Most springs of that type need only be strong enough to push the ejector outward with reasonable force. I don't know how big the opening is, but one possibility is the spring out of a retractable ball pen. If you have to wind a spring, you will probably need fairly thin spring stock, about .024" - .026" diameter, which should be available at Home Depot or some hardware stores. You might also be able to find an old spring that will do the job, depending on what you work on. Needless to say, Brownells has kits of about every conceivable size of coil spring, as does Wolff, but they simply cost too much for one small job. Jim

January 9, 2008, 02:35 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	You could stretch the original spring if it's enough of it left.

January 9, 2008, 02:38 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That is a good example of the problem of obtaining coil springs. There are thousands out there, all different. One that would work can probably be found in one of the spring pack kits from Brownell's or Wolff's, but no one wants to pay $10-30 for one spring he needs and a bunch he has no use for. Winding a spring, on the other hand is also tricky, especially with one as small as the one described. Maybe you could take the old one to a gun shop or even a hardware store and see if they have one like it. Jim

January 11, 2008, 11:28 PM	#11
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	The 101 appears to be a single shot, without the tube magazine underthe bbl. The bolt looks very similar,however. I haven't yet convinced this computer and dialup to let me see the enlarged schematic for detail. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."