Ruger Standard Bolt Reassembly Snag

[CAF51]

During a range day with my ancient 1950 Ruger Standard, I was having a lot of FTEs and stovepipes. With some apprehension I attempted my first full dissassembly of the bolt. Now I am stuck with the worlds most frustrating jigsaw puzzle. The firing pin and associates are straightforward, but the recoil spring is a different animal. It's not a captured spring (and may never have been).

How in the heck do I hold on to a tiny spring plate (or the whole assembly for that matter), while leaving enough room to put it in the slot?

Here's a picture of this debacle for you visual people.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/78573995@N05/7052905207/

 

[bigfatdave]

mkII and mkIII recoil springs ARE captive, the rod is crushed so the plate won't come off. I'd bet that your recoil guide rod was at one point attached in a (obviously semi) permanent fashion.

I don't know if there is a trick to it simpler than calling Ruger and asking for a mkIII recoil assembly, chances are they'd send it to you cheap or free, assuming it is compatible. They might have a remaining stock of mkI rods if the newer ones aren't compatible.

 

[rcmodel]

+1
They have always been captive since the first Ruger standard was made..

Yours has escaped!

I would call Ruger, but I'm not 100% sure a MKIII rod is the same as one made when yours was. They should know though.

rc

 

[CAF51]

After some serous finagling I got the original recoil spring back in place, but will definitely be doing some follow up work with Ruger for a replacement piece (and maybe a new plinking pistol after realizing how scarce mine is.)