Replacing a Main Spring on 1866

[Bridog]

Hello All,

 

With all the talk about mods to the 66/73's and the recommendations to at minimum change out the lever/carrier springs with whisper springs and to go with a light duty mainspring for longevity. These posts have brought a few questions to mind.

 

First off I have a used 66 that only has had a 2nd gen short stroke installed. No spring changes. I am going to go ahead with the Smith Shop's whisper springs - looks to be a pretty straight forward jog to accomplish.

 

Does anyone have a link on how to replace the main spring with a light duty one on this?

 

Is this a drop in part or minimal fitting or is there quite a bit to it?

 

Does this modification change the timing or bring up other issues?

 

Thanks for any direction you can offer!

 

Bridog

[Cherokee Gambler, SASS # 33915]

I think the Cowboy and Indian store have instructions on changing most of the modifications they sell. They did have the lighter main spring last time I checked. I change the one on mine and now I have to use Federal primers because the hammer is to light for Winchesters. You might check Long Hunter as well.

 

Regards

 

Cherokee Gambler

[Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329]

Hi:

I have the light duty Smith Shop main spring in all my toggle-link guns.

It is a drop-in part.

Makes a big difference in the feel of the gun.

 

From what I hear, it is the installation of the whisper springs that involve timing issues & such.

The mainspring is straight-forward

--Dawg

[Phiren Smoke GUNFIGHTER]

Bridog,

 

Changing out the main spring on a 66/73 is pretty straight forward. If you can handle the lever and carrier springs you can handle the main spring. The hardest part is catching the hook on the hammer with the fork of the spring, just a matter of maneuvering things into place.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Smoke

[Buckshot Frank]

For the mainspring just remove the stock, remove the screw that holds the spring in place, and replace with the new spring. After installing the Slix lifter and carrier springs on my '73, the mainspring felt too heavy. As a quick fix, I put a washer under the spring. It feels better now, but I'm not sure how it compares to the aftermarket spring.

[Ranger Sgt. Jake McCandless #3368]

For the mainspring just remove the stock, remove the screw that holds the spring in place, and replace with the new spring. After installing the Slix lifter and carrier springs on my '73, the mainspring felt too heavy. As a quick fix, I put a washer under the spring. It feels better now, but I'm not sure how it compares to the aftermarket spring.

Buckshot Hap's Light duty mainspring http://www.thesmithshop.com/ldmainsp.html is the perfect complement to the whisper springs. They have,to me just the correct feel,the hardest part is the hook on the spring to hammer. I use a old tweezers that is about five inches long to get er done. I installed Hap's spring in a pards rifle that he had Slix springs,Carrier and lever springs in and that combination works well also. Adios Sgt. Jake

[Bridog]

Thanks guys for your replies. Most likely going to give it a whirl. The worst it sounds like could happen is to put the old parts back in?

 

Bridog

[Buckshot Frank]

Thanks guys for your replies. Most likely going to give it a whirl. The worst it sounds like could happen is to put the old parts back in?

 

Bridog

 

Yep. The hardest part is getting the screws out, but since your rifle has already had some work done to it this shouldn't be an issue. If your buttstock hasn't been taken off yet, the upper tang screw and mainspring screw might be tight. I needed a small impact driver (purchased from Harbor Freight) to remove the screws on my '73.

 

The whisper springs require fitting. You need to file the ends down until they are sandwiched between the side plates and lever. It is a tedious process since it requires trial and error, but it isn't hard. Just don't get in a hurry and remove too much off of the spring because it could pop off the cam if the end is too short. One tip that I wish that I had done is to use the original spring screws while you are doing the fitting. This way, you won't damage the heads on new screws by repeatedly un-installing and re-installing the springs.

 

I haven't installed an aftermarket mainspring, but I can't see how it could be difficult. The stock one is installed by hooking it around the hammer and screwing it to the tang on the other side.

 

Good luck!