Titan spring not fitting BSA Standard

[45flint]

Any thoughts I bought a Titan spring #1 for a replacement for a broken spring in my 1914 BSA Standard. Was told it would fit. It is just slightly too big around to fit into the piston. It’s very close. Thinking I could grind a little flat around the coil but would be time consuming. Anyone know of a spring that would fit easily? Below the half spring that was not broken.

[trajectory]

For a one piece replacement I think a standard replacement Airsporters spring could do the job but it might be a little long so it may need a few coils cut off. Then it will of course need the cut surfaces grinding & polishing. Some have said a Meteor spring can work too, not tried that but a cut down Airsporter spring fitted a BSA Improved mod. D, after a few coils were cut off.

[maximus]

I think if you grind the outside of the spring you'll knacker it! Find one that fits and sell the other on here.

[draitzer]

As noted above, do not try to grind down the spring OD - that would be an invitation to breakage.
Springs in a couple of my old full-size BSA's were about .785" OD, so something that size or a tad less should be good. You might try to confirm dimensions with your supplier before taking the plunge.

Don R.

[Snodgrass]

Hi Steve,

What is the free length of the half spring you have which is not broken?I have looked through my old BSA spares and find I have a few half springs with 17 turns, one measuring

4 1/2" long and one at 4 1/4" long in nice straight condition.

I can send one of both to you if you think you can use them.Outside diameter is 0.815"

Regards,

Chris

[45flint]

Hi Steve,

What is the free length of the half spring you have which is not broken?I have looked through my old BSA spares and find I have a few half springs with 17 turns, one measuring

4 1/2" long and one at 4 1/4" long in nice straight condition.

I can send one of both to you if you think you can use them.Outside diameter is 0.815"

Regards,

Chris

Appreciate the offer but my spring is 4 3/4 outside diameter about .75”. I ended up making a short second spring and did what everyone said not to - ground the outside to fit. Someone over here uses HW50 springs for his and I looked at the specs and my spring wire is thicker than the HW. I just shot it for the first time today and got 10 foot pounds which is more than fine with me. I liked the idea of keeping with 2 springs. If I find the spring breaks, these rifles are so easy to work on I will just start again. Given how much I shoot I bet I’ll be fine?

[45flint]

As noted above, do not try to grind down the spring OD - that would be an invitation to breakage.
Springs in a couple of my old full-size BSA's were about .785" OD, so something that size or a tad less should be good. You might try to confirm dimensions with your supplier before taking the plunge.

Don R.

I found a post here on the dimensions of Titan springs in mm. On another forum a knowledgeable BSA fellow told me to get a HW50 spring. That corresponds to a Titan #7 which has a little less OD just about where you say? The length looks right as well so maybe I won’t even have to cut it. I doubt it will be as powerful as the originals but should be fine for what I do. Hope repeating the info below helps another BSA traveler. At least my 2 spring experiment showed me there are no other issues with the rifle.

NO- OD - ID - Wire- Coils- Length

01- 21.0- 14.5- 3.2- 31- 280
02- 22.7- 15.5- 3.6- 30- 291
03- 20.8- 14.7- 3.2- 34- 304
04- 22.6- 15.6- 3.6- 28- 252
05- 19.0- 13.1- 3.0- 32- 290
06- 19.7- 13.3- 2.9- 39- 341
07- 20.0- 13.8- 3.3- 30- 255
08- 20.0- 13.8- 3.3- 34- 295
09- 21.0- 14.7- 3.3- 27- 280
10- 21.0- 14.8- 3.1- 27- 230
11- 18.8- 12.8- 3.0- 31- 230
12- 18.9- 12.6- 2.9- 36- 295
13- 19.4- 13.0- 3.1- 39- 340
14- 22.7- 15.4- 3.6- 37- 358
15- 17.5- 12.1- 2.3- 33- 254

[Maple]

Could you enlighten as to who it was who told you that it would fit ?