M1 Carbine: Wolff or USGI Recoil Spring?

[Orlando]

I wouldnt worry to much about which spring you bought but would check the other things I suggested. May not be the spring at all or a combination of the spring and other issues

 

[Maverick223]

Another thing does the firing pin move freely?

Yep, I just jiggled it and the firing pin was free, as is the gas piston (which has never been cleaned...at least not by me). It seems that everything is good (unless I am wrong about it being a free-floating firing pin), and honestly the spring isn't too bad, but I like to catch things early.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you might be over-thinking this one.
Why not buy both and do some experimenting?

Probably am, I usually do (it's the engineer in me). I would buy both, but can't find a retailer that offers both for sale, and don't want two separate orders. I'll get the USGI one if I have problems with the Wolff (after snipping coils as needed...if needed). No biggie, I am temporarily relieving the M1 Carbine of its HD duties until this is sorted out. Looks like I will just have to "make due" with only a Saiga-12, M17S, and VZ.58 for long gun defensive service (of course with others in "emergency reserve").

 

[Orlando]

Yes pin should be free floating
Wolf ammo is underpowered , and can cause issues

 

[Maverick223]

I haven't used wolf, only Win. WB and my handloads; which are various 100-110gr projectiles with 15.5gr of H110, so they are on the high end, but within military cartridge specifications.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

 

[Maverick223]

Brief range report: I was in a rush to install & test it and in the process I only got off about 5rnds before the rain began to come down, so take this with a spoonfull of salt, but the new Wolff spring didn't do so hot. First two rounds fired and ejected, but the bolt didn't close, ran like a watch for the final 3 or 4. Perhaps it just needed to settle in a bit, but that isn't the result I was hoping for. I did break it down again and oil it good when I got back home, so perhaps that is the culprit. I will have to do additional testing tomorrow...weather permitting (and it looks like rain for a week ).

 

[CZguy]

but the new Wolff spring didn't do so hot. First two rounds fired and ejected, but the bolt didn't close, ran like a watch for the final 3 or 4.

I'm not optimistic that it will shoot any better after it's had a brief break in period and oiling. It should run well from the first shot.

I had a similar experience several years ago with a CZ PO1. After reading on various forums how they just had to have a slightly overpowered Wolff spring to run well, I bought one and installed it. I had similar results to yours, plus it became pretty darn hard to pull the slide back.

I learned my lesson, and now stick to factory recommend spring weights.

I grudgingly have to admit that some engineers know what they're doing.

 

[Maverick223]

I'm not optimistic that it will shoot any better after it's had a brief break in period and oiling. It should run well from the first shot.

That's what I was thinking, but the final few rounds did well. It has been, uh, well broken in over the past 3wars (from what I can tell) and the last 65+ years. I was in a hurry to test, so I didn't oil it, but the raceways, et cetera were lubricated.

I had similar results to yours, plus it became pretty darn hard to pull the slide back.

For further clarification, it the rifle wasn't difficult to charge and seemingly had too little spring compression as the empties extracted/ejected fine, but the fresh cartridge got hung up on the feed ramp. FWIW HPs will feed from my carbine (I know that some folks have trouble with them), and these are SP, which always seemed to feed well.

I grudgingly have to admit that some engineers know what they're doing.

Oh BTW, i'm an engineer.

 

[CZguy]

Normally I wouldn't say this, but this time I just can't resist.

Oh BTW, i'm an engineer.

I surmised that...........when you put the wrong spring in.

Time will tell..............how's the weather, can you shoot it today?

 

[Maverick223]

Time will tell..............how's the weather, can you shoot it today?

Looking good so far, I plan on giving it shot this afternoon.

I surmised that...........when you put the wrong spring in.

Hey, easy there...

>A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below.
He lowers the balloon further and shouts, "Excuse me. Can you help me? I promised my friend I would meet him half an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

>The man below says, "Yes, you are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 40 feet above this field.
You are between 46 & 48 degrees N latitude and between 52 & 56 degrees W. longitude."

>"You must be an engineer," says the balloonist.

>"I am," replies the man. "How did you know?"

>"Well," says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct but I have no idea what to make of your information and the fact is I am still lost."

>The man below says, "You must be a Manager"

>"I am," replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?"

>"Well," says the man below, "you don't know where you are or where you are going
You have made a promise which you have no idea how to keep and you expect me to solve your problem
The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met but now it is somehow my fault."