I heard that older rifles sometimes cycle .22 LR subsonics because the springs are fatigued.
Is it possible to cut down a spring to reduce the resistance so that it would cycle subsonics? Would it then make it dangerous to fire full power rounds?
As an alternative; would polishing any of the parts help or am I just likely to 'buff' it out of tolerance and cause a problem?

Marlin 60, 14 round tube.

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum crankypants. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

Polishing would probably not hurt anything as long as your not removing any metal, just cleaning up sliding surfaces. As far as cutting springs, keep in mind that some springs need to be a certain length to work correctly. You might be better off getting some lower power springstock from a place like Brownell's to try out, I've done that often when working on revolvers with coil springs or using a "harder" stronger spring in a bolt gun for the firing pin.

Abosolutly nothing wrong with trying those experiments out with a 22. I don't think you'll hurt anything, but once you start cutting a spring you may have to replace it sometime down the road anyway.

Let us know how it works.

If you have an additional spring, then it won't hurt anything.

Cut not more than one coil at a time, and proceed slOOwly.

I've seen it done w/a 1911, when the guy wanted to shoot some match ammo, for the match that he was at (match ammo loaded to lower fps) and didn't have time to get a spring.

It got him through the match, but he got a new reduced power spring.

Thanks for the replies,

I'll give it a good clean and get a replacement spring to cut down a little and stretch to fit. I'm wondering if I need to put a 'seat' of nylon behind the spring to stop an unwanted bottom out if the spring fails, but since it is a .22 then maybe I don't need to worry.

I'll let you know how it goes.

I have a Model 60 in great shape. It cycles CCI and Mexican sub-sonics without issue. Try them. Jim

Cutting a spring actually makes it stiffer and weakens it. It would work because the bolt would have more velocity before the spring does its job but eventually the spring would likely fail. Think of a spring as a long piece of stiff wire. It will give quite easily and return to its original position many times before taking a set or breaking. Now cut that wire and it will be stiffer and more likely to bend for good or break. The best way is to find a similar spring with a smaller diameter wire. In a .22 I don't think there would be any dire concequences except for maybe accelerated bolt wear.

I would not advise it.as the auto loader may not properly close.I say this from trying to get a savage 187 to work.they balance the parts to each other.
I have 3 1911s and all work with regular springs and 200 gr swc and 3.6 700X.
1911s you lighten the hammer spring not the recoil spring.:rolleyes:--:D