Putting weaker springs in a 21a Bobcat 22lr

[45223]

I notice unless I'm using high velocity ammo I get lots of FTFs. I've been thinking what if I get the springs for the .22 short version and put them in this one. Maybe it might cycle lower powered .22lr fine and still be safe to shoot high velocity .22lr? I notice the slide is pretty stiff compared to say the Ruger LCP 2 lite rack. Seems like having softer/weaker springs wouldn't hurt right? Just asking here before I go do something dumb lol.

 

[Deus Machina]

Check Wolff springs out.
I'd go a little lighter, but would think dropping to the .22 short version might be too far.
Then again, I'm not familiar enough with a Bobcat to know whether it's the spring or slide weight soaking up the energy.

 

[JohnKSa]

.22LR autopistols can be picky about ammo. I have a couple that have distinct ammo preferences--I just keep the ammo they like on hand and only feed them what they like.

 

[GRIZ22]

IIRC, the 21A was made in only 22lr and 25acp. If I'm correct where did you find anything in 22 short?

Small 22s are usually more ammo sensitive. As JohnKSa said try a few different brands. My 21A works 100% with Federal Pistol Match std velocity ammo. Doesn't work well with the milk carton 22s, std or high velocity.

 

[alexander45]

Tomcat is .32 acp bobcat/jetfire is .22lr or .25 acp minx is .22 short I would worry about weaker springs as the ears on the slide have a habit of breaking off on guns with worn springs

 

[rust collector]

I notice unless I'm using high velocity ammo I get lots of FTFs. I've been thinking what if I get the springs for the .22 short version and put them in this one. Maybe it might cycle lower powered .22lr fine and still be safe to shoot high velocity .22lr? I notice the slide is pretty stiff compared to say the Ruger LCP 2 lite rack. Seems like having softer/weaker springs wouldn't hurt right? Just asking here before I go do something dumb lol.

I suspect that the springs are strong for a reason. A blowback must balance many factors, and the absence of an extractor on these wee guns probably complicates that equation. Springs that might work for shorts would surely hammer the gun to pieces earlier if used with rounds having more energy. As griz22 suggested, you may try auto pistol match or some of the zippier Aguila and Armscor alternatives. It is not as if you are firing 400 rounds at a sitting.

 

[earplug]

Part of the recoil of the slide is handled by the hammer spring. You might take a peak at the slide, hammer, hammer spring and strut and do some polishing. This might smooth up the operation enough to allow a wider range of ammunition.

 

[chicharrones]

Years ago, I was trying to get my Bobcat to cycle better and also thought about the twin recoil springs that ride under the grips of the gun.

But first, I polished the feed ramp, chamber, recoil spring levers, slide rails, hammer to slide points, etc. Not much of an improvement, though.

Still, I thought I might have some success by cutting off a coil or two off of each recoil spring. It actually seemed to make the gun run worse as sometimes the slide wouldn't have enough oomph to finish chambering a cartridge. Because even if the hammer spring adds to the recoil springs' strength during recoil, the hammer spring does nothing to help close the slide back into battery.

So my brain says, why not use the full strength recoil springs and try a lighter hammer spring? That's when I tell my brain that its a rimfire gun, with a tiny little hammer trying to light off the cartridges. As usual, I typically have to leave my rimfire hammer springs alone no matter the gun.

The bottom line for me was that gun ran best with a clean chamber and with CCI MiniMag solid nose ammo, no matter what I tried to make it run better. Even then, I could only expect 4 to 7 magazines full before I had to clean the chamber and breech face again.

 

[wiscoaster]

Oh, the joys of discovering what works in a .22 LR auto-loader. Instead of doing all those tweaks, which have a high probability of not solving anything, your real solution is right there in front of you:

unless I'm using high velocity ammo

Just use what works.

 

[JD Pinardi]

I've had one for almost 20 years and tried many different ammos, my conclusion about 16 years ago is I shoot nothing but cci stingers in it and if the mag holds 8 I only put in 7, with that I have never had a malfunction. It's a pocket gun I keep in the truck for short stops in case I don't feel the need for a 1911, which is my carry gun of choice. But I did have a few FTF's when i first got it even with 2 different mags and CCi's when I loaded 8 in the mag, always after the first shot ( with one in the pipe) if I only load 7 in the mag I have never had a FTF.
Just my experiance.