Lever spring broke

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TexasMac
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Lever spring broke

Post by TexasMac »

I broke a lever spring in my Shiloh 1874 #1 Sporter during a recent match. The rifle had 2200 rounds through it at the time. So I replaced the spring with a brand new spare that I’d purchased with the rifle 4 years ago. Unfortunately there was a problem with the spare. The photo below is after the spare was installed. So I contacted Lucinda & she promptly sent me a replacement which works fine.

The invoice with the just-received replacement from Lucinda indicates it’s for a HVY HALF barrel rifle which mine is. The reason for this thread is I’m curious as to why the 4yr old unused spring was not sufficient to fully close the lever. Possibly it’s just a defective spring but it has me wondering if there are different spring for different barrel configurations?

Wayne

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mdeland
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by mdeland »

Wayne,would a lighter barrel make the other spring tighter against the lever purchase and then cause it to work? I don't remember how the spring is set up on the 74.
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kenny sd
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by kenny sd »

I have had this happen. trying to replace a spring on a Sharps original 50 70 carbine. I looked at the front and found the spring was hitting the side of the action and could not go higher enough. so I used my Dremel and relieved each side of the spring just enough to push the center up higher. worked just fine.
They I noticed my other original percussion Sharps had the original spring with that cut in it. go figure. Ken
TexasMac
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by TexasMac »

mdeland wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:11 am Wayne,would a lighter barrel make the other spring tighter against the lever purchase and then cause it to work? I don't remember how the spring is set up on the 74.
Mike,

I would think a lighter barrel would make the spring looser against the lever pivot point. On the other hand the spring may have been made for a heavier barrel than my heavy half-octagon. I would think different spring would be required for different barrel thicknesses unless different height barrel studs are used to mount the spring. I know that Shiloh offers at least 8 barrel configurations heavy octagon, heavy half-octagon, standard octagon, standard half-octagon, round, and 3 sizes of larger diameter bull barrels. Therefore, I would expect that either different height barrel studs or different springs would be required to maintain the correct lever pressure. I don't know the answer, hence the reason for this thread.

Wayne
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Don McDowell
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by Don McDowell »

Call 406-932-4266 or 5627
Ill bet some one there could answer those questions..
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger :?
Kurt
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by Kurt »

Those springs can and should be adjusted when installing them. Just put the spring in the vise (hole end) giving it a little room away from the hole and tap it looser or tighter. For my rifles it has always relieving the pressure enough to hold the lever up. The spring will last a lot longer than being to tight.
Another thing that will make the spring last longer is to not let the lever fly on it's own, hold it when dropping the block.

Kurt
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TexasMac
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by TexasMac »

Don McDowell wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:04 am Call 406-932-4266 or 5627
Ill bet some one there could answer those questions..
Hey there Donny Ray,

The real reason for this thread is I felt the need to increase my posting numbers on this forum. :lol: Actually I just took your advice, called Shiloh and spoke with Lucinda. She indicated there are only two spring versions - one made for heavy barrels and one for standard (lighter weight) barrels. She has no idea why the spare unused spring did not work in my rifle.

Wayne
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TexasMac
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by TexasMac »

Kurt wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:16 am Those springs can and should be adjusted when installing them. Just put the spring in the vise (hole end) giving it a little room away from the hole and tap it looser or tighter. For my rifles it has always relieving the pressure enough to hold the lever up. The spring will last a lot longer than being to tight. Another thing that will make the spring last longer is to not let the lever fly on it's own, hold it when dropping the block.
Kurt
Kurt,

Thanks for the recommendation. I thought about bending it but was concerned that it would break during the process, leaving me with no spring. Now that I have a new spring that works fine I'll experiment with bending the other one.

Wayne
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TexasMac
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by TexasMac »

Following Kurt's advice I just bent the spring a bit. It now works great. That was easy & I learned something, so this thread was worthwhile.

Wayne
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Kurt
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Re: Lever spring broke

Post by Kurt »

Wayne,

Robert, Kirks Dad told me this when I broke one of mine. He said take a little tension off the spring and it will last longer and reduce wear on the lever.
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
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