Help please... lost a tiny Charter Arms spring

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WestKentucky

WestKentucky

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I was working on my charter undercover a few minutes ago and did a full strip of the gun to rid it of who knows how many years of pocket lint. During reassembly I managed to let the cylinder stop plunger slip by the end of my punch and it went flying (into my left eye). I found the plunger itself, but I haven’t been able to find the plunger spring. Does anybody happen to have one laying around that they can measure? I’m sure it’s a common size and stock spring, and I can source it locally, I just need to know what dimensions to look for.
 
A) How deep is the hole? What is the diameter? B) How far does the plunger go in when in the extended position. Subtract B from A add about 15% for compression and Bob's your Uncle...
 
Rubone said:
A) How deep is the hole? What is the diameter? B) How far does the plunger go in when in the extended position. Subtract B from A add about 15% for compression and Bob's your Uncle...
Click to expand...
Really hard spot to measure. And small to boot. Not the end of the world to figure out, but was hoping somebody here had one handy.
 
Not to rain on your parade, but if it was a Ruger spring it would already be in the mail to you, no charge.
I have a CA, defective, which the company did nothing about. Learned my lesson the hard way.
When I goofed and lost a Ruger spring (GP100) they sent me a new one almost instantly.
 
I've talked to Nick and Dee quite a few times, I'd be very surprised if they just didn't send you one if you asked 'em.

There are two things on a Charter that are a royal fisbin of a mo'fo to get back together. One is the whole way they have the star in the cylinder, with plunger and spring and cross pin. THAT takes some creative thinking to do, and making up a tool to do it with. The other is that cylinder latch thumbpiece and spring. They do sell the tool for that, but if you see it and how it works, you can make your own.
 
Worked great until it shot the plunger into orbit
Click to expand...

Funny how springs are capable of launching small parts into another universe.
I have launched some that that I know have emerged in another universe some place since they were no here to be found after hours of searching.......
 
Speaking of launches. I launched the bolt pin from my SW model 10 during a detail strip. Could not find it so fashioned a new one from an allen key. Worked fine, same afternoon found the original. Anytime I am forced to order such parts I order extras to cover the launch window.
 
It’s there somewhere. Funny but often if you turn off or dim the lights in the area then use a flash light you can spot the item easier.
 
whughett said:
It’s there somewhere. Funny but often if you turn off or dim the lights in the area then use a flash light you can spot the item easier.
Click to expand...
Never fails. I ordered the parts, then found the plunger last night in the middle of the night. Dogs were barking and when I went to investigate I felt something hard under my heel. How it ended up 20 ft from where it started and not in a position it could have made a straight path, I will never know. It had to bounce off of a wall after it hit me. I will reassemble in an area contained by a big sheet. I just have to wait on the replacement spring to come in.
 
On wood, linoleum or tile floors I will take my flashlight and set it on the floor and move it back and forth, The lost item will usually show a shadow that lets me pinpoint it.
On carpet my go to is a strong magnet and sweep it back and forth. Sometimes that will work.
The only surefire way I have found many such lost items is to purchase a replacement part. Guaranteed the lost item will show up on the kitchen counter the next morning.
I do believe some of my lost items are in low earth orbit as nothing has shed any light on their whereabouts. I've even searched adjacent rooms with no success.
 
Check to see if the spring stayed in the hole. I had launched may items over the years. I was lucky some times finding some, and not so lucky at other times. I use to go to a small bathroom, close all the drains, covers down. Pull the shower curtain and take things apart in the tube. Since the tube was white it was easy to find parts that got away. I've also used some large glove bags which are completely sealed up, best.
 
88CEA1F4-037B-486E-A951-6CD7E4246A43.jpeg C340E9E1-3AF8-469C-B1A3-D68EA3B7FDFA.jpeg Back together, and at this time it has its original barrel. So far I’m satisfied. I’m debating on doing the barrel swap. If I do it will be a whole lot like my S&W m10 and with the larger grips and longer barrel, 5 shot instead of 6... I’m kinda on the fence. I may use the barrel on a different project, or I may end up back on this gun.

The mainspring guide did hit the grip screw, but I was able to shave roughly 1/8 inch off of the base of the pin where it protruded through the locator block to where it sits just a bit below flush when the spring is under the least tension. Definite location, minimum length, functional. Now I need to do something about the big hole that’s left open. That’s a huge pocket lint attractor.
 
Last edited:
WestKentucky said:
View attachment 946293 View attachment 946294 Back together, and at this time it has its original barrel. So far I’m satisfied. I’m debating on doing the barrel swap. If I do it will be a whole lot like my S&W m10 and with the larger grips and longer barrel, 5 shot instead of 6... I’m kinda on the fence. I may use the barrel on a different project, or I may end up back on this gun.

The mainspring guide did hit the grip screw, but I was able to shave roughly 1/8 inch off of the base of the pin where it protruded through the locator block to where it sits just a bit below flush when the spring is under the least tension. Definite location, minimum length, functional. Now I need to do something about the big hole that’s left open. That’s a huge pocket lint attractor.
Click to expand...
WestKentucky said:
View attachment 946293 View attachment 946294 Back together, and at this time it has its original barrel. So far I’m satisfied. I’m debating on doing the barrel swap. If I do it will be a whole lot like my S&W m10 and with the larger grips and longer barrel, 5 shot instead of 6... I’m kinda on the fence. I may use the barrel on a different project, or I may end up back on this gun.

The mainspring guide did hit the grip screw, but I was able to shave roughly 1/8 inch off of the base of the pin where it protruded through the locator block to where it sits just a bit below flush when the spring is under the least tension. Definite location, minimum length, functional. Now I need to do something about the big hole that’s left open. That’s a huge pocket lint attractor.
Click to expand...

You could use a thin piece of film sheet. Paint it black and held in place by the grip. I did this on a Browning 1922 to hold a pin in that I didn’t want to peen in place.
 
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