Spring guide tightness?

[TonyL]

the spring should loosen on the guide as you cock it.. are you sure that;s what you are feeling ? Or the cocking shoe running over spring coils ?

I go with a guide that is a firm push fit, maybe even needing a bit of a twist to get it in. Then then under preload, it'll be a good bit looser and when cocked completely free.

Sounds like the piston sleeve is too tight.

If you're guides are good, no need for a sleeve .

Agreed.