OX-Mainspring, too long?

[<Hamish-Mac>]

I got given an OX-Mainspring from a mate, to put in my BSA Lightning. Took the gun apart yesterday but the OX is much longer than the standard spring in the gun, is this normal? I'm Pretty sure it's the right one.


Cheers


Hamish

[Hsing-ee]

'Ox' mainsprings are made in a few types and each type is supposed to fit a number of different guns, so the sizes are an approximation.

They DON'T have a very good reputation as they can be very harsh and the sharp edges of the square section wire can shave metal inside the gun.

Also, although this might sound strange, the most powerful spring does not necessarily make the gun more powerful, and can sometimes make it less powerful - and certainly less accurate because of the recoil.

If you decide to keep the Ox in your BSA do check the power as you may need to clip some coils if it has gone over the limit.

[<Hamish-Mac>]

My mate had bought it for an HW95 and it says on the Chambers site, that it also fits a Lightning. Might give it back then...

[Punchsteve]

Not an expert by any means, but OX springs really are nasty. I'd sooner put a standard factory spring in (can be had for around £8) than an ox.

As Alistair mentions above, the OX springs come in different sizes (from 1-7 iirc) from different groups of guns. Sounds like the wrong spring to me, though the OX springs always did have a lot of preload (again IIRC as we're talking 15 years back).

[foxshooter]

Guess why you were 'given' it

Use the Ox spring to keep the garden gate shut, its about all theyre good for.

I used to have one in a HW rifle when I was a kid, made it noisy as hell

Mark

[SHOT BUCK]

They DON'T have a very good reputation as they can be very harsh and the sharp edges of the square section wire can shave metal inside the gun.

My mate put one in his Webley Eclipse and it totally destroyed the trigger mechanism, not to mention making it extremely loud.

I guess the old saying applies here: "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Pete

[<Hamish-Mac>]

I guess the old saying applies here: "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Pete

Its running at 8Ft, lbs.

[SHOT BUCK]

Its running at 8Ft, lbs.

....I retract my statement!

[mallyally]

sometimes the springs on lightnings break you might be better with a new bsa spring and a good pollish and lube before trying to cram a big ugly old ox spring in and spoiling it

[harrisP]

Yep standard parts are the best way to go, or splash out on a Vmach kit.

[grouse83]

i put an ox accelerator in my omega and despite the reputation it has made my gun a hell of a lot smoother to shoot than with the factory spring, more consistent and smoother to cock with a much faster lock time.

i dont know if anyone who says they;re rubbish have actually tried one recently or if folk are just jumping on the ox hater band wagon...

ps, it did put the rifle at about 14ft/lbs when i first put it in so be careful with power. trim a coil or two off if you have to.

[delta1]

I had a couple of ox springs fitted recently.

On my Transit!

[ikarma70]

chuck the ox spring in the bin,all its worth imho.

as said before...get a standard lightning spring,a v mach kit or send it to tony at sandwell field sports for a tune up at £45.

[Northernspark]

got an ox in my meteor, it's as smooth as, running at 10.2 flb.

everybody is keen to jump on the heresay of ox springs been bad.

S_D_

[electric sheep]

Maccari does a GOOD square spring made from quality steel, OX springs tend to wreck the gun or fracture on the last three coils.