Buffer Tube Detent Spring and its amazing flying act!

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Buffer Tube Detent Spring and its amazing flying act!

Posted: 1/22/2009 5:43:12 PM EDT

Okay I lost the tiny little spring that holds the detent when guess what?- I was installing a collapsible stock! It shot 35 ft away from where I was sitting and lo and behold I can't find the dang thing.

So I got everything else ready to go but there is nothing holding the buffer spring back and keeping it in position.

Okay, now that you guys are all done laughing at me (don't worry I laughed too, just had some choice words along with the laughter) where do I get those tiny little springs? I am going to get extra for spare parts if this ever happens again but I have no clue as where to get them? Thanks for your help guys

Posted: 1/22/2009 5:51:31 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Okay I lost the tiny little spring that holds the detent when guess what?- I was installing a collapsible stock! It shot 35 ft away from where I was sitting and lo and behold I can't find the dang thing.

So I got everything else ready to go but there is nothing holding the buffer spring back and keeping it in position.

Okay, now that you guys are all done laughing at me (don't worry I laughed too, just had some choice words along with the laughter) where do I get those tiny little springs? I am going to get extra for spare parts if this ever happens again but I have no clue as where to get them? Thanks for your help guys

Midway has them - try them. I have a spare, worst case.

Posted: 1/22/2009 5:54:53 PM EDT

[#2]

Brownells does too - site sponsor

Buffer Retainer Spring

Posted: 1/22/2009 6:06:53 PM EDT

[#3]

Thanks guys, I checked out Bushmaster but they wanted over half the price of the kit in shipping and was looking for someone else, unfortunately Brownell is out of stock. Any other suggestions let me know!

Thanks again!

Posted: 1/22/2009 6:12:25 PM EDT

[#4]

there's an easy mod where you tap the hole just a bit, cut a smidge offa the spring and then and install short allen head set screw in the tapped hole, and that will never happen to you again

Posted: 1/22/2009 9:27:09 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Okay I lost the tiny little spring that holds the detent when guess what?- I was installing a collapsible stock! It shot 35 ft away from where I was sitting and lo and behold I can't find the dang thing.

So I got everything else ready to go but there is nothing holding the buffer spring back and keeping it in position.

Okay, now that you guys are all done laughing at me (don't worry I laughed too, just had some choice words along with the laughter) where do I get those tiny little springs? I am going to get extra for spare parts if this ever happens again but I have no clue as where to get them? Thanks for your help guys

check here

Posted: 1/23/2009 6:50:47 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
there's an easy mod where you tap the hole just a bit, cut a smidge offa the spring and then and install short allen head set screw in the tapped hole, and that will never happen to you again

That mod is for the takedown pin detent at the rear of the receiver, not the buffer retainer.

From the OP I believe he was taking about the buffer retainer.

Posted: 1/23/2009 1:17:47 PM EDT

[#7]

Went to Biggerhammer and got the specs:
Buffer retainer spring length .940 diameter .180 # of coils 14
Just go to Ace Hdw. and find one that matches or is close. It's just a spring. You don't even need it, just hold the buffer in place while you close the upper on the lower and you're good to go. It's a pain to raise the lower but it's doable, just pull both the front and rear pins and slowly take them apart. Be sure to catch the buffer!
Remember, some parts aren't critical, they're just basic parts you can get at a hardware store.
HTH,
o.r.

Posted: 1/23/2009 8:09:04 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
there's an easy mod where you tap the hole just a bit, cut a smidge offa the spring and then and install short allen head set screw in the tapped hole, and that will never happen to you again

That mod is for the takedown pin detent at the rear of the receiver, not the buffer retainer.

From the OP I believe he was taking about the buffer retainer.

right. i saw detent and that he was changing the stock and misunderstood. also, the buffer retainer spring is hardly what i would call "tiny". oh well, my bad.

Posted: 1/24/2009 5:23:33 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Went to Biggerhammer and got the specs:
Buffer retainer spring length .940 diameter .180 # of coils 14
Just go to Ace Hdw. and find one that matches or is close. It's just a spring. You don't even need it, just hold the buffer in place while you close the upper on the lower and you're good to go. It's a pain to raise the lower but it's doable, just pull both the front and rear pins and slowly take them apart. Be sure to catch the buffer!
Remember, some parts aren't critical, they're just basic parts you can get at a hardware store.
HTH,
o.r.

Spot on. It's just a spring. Go to Ace Hardware and you'll find one that's close enough. Take the detent with you.

Posted: 1/25/2009 10:05:39 PM EDT

[#10]

I have an extra; pm me with snail-mail details and it will be on the way. All I ask is you replace it with a correct one when convenient for you.

Ken

Posted: 1/26/2009 7:04:37 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Take the detent with you.

You think if the spring flew 35 feet away that he still has the detent? I quit looking for mine.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Buffer Tube Detent Spring and its amazing flying act!

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