Recoil spring help

IMTHDUKE

New member
Going to change the inner captive spring on the guide rod for a Colt Defender with wolf spring. Anyone who has done this....how do I get the "C" clip off the in of the plug? It appears to be a rather tricky and hazardous procedure. The spring has to be compressed enough to pull off the "C" clip. Couldn't they come up with a more complicated ordeal?

Is there an easy button you hit on this?
 
'C' clips can be gently pried off with a wee screwdriver. Hold the spring back a tick with a rubber band or a wee clamp.
"...Is there an easy button..." HAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh, you were serious. No.
 
This shouldn't be that big of a deal, but it will require some care. I did a quick YouTube search, but didn't come up with anything. So, here's how I would do it:

Place the spring assembly into a folded rag and hold it securely with your weak hand. Or, if you have a vice that is suitable, open it up until its just wide enough to accept the spring assembly, and let the bottom of the spring rest on a hard surface.

If you can see well enough and work with a large Ziploc type bag over your hands, you may wish to do that in order to keep the clip from flying off into the wilderness. I don't usually use a bag; I work low on the screwdriver blade and block the clip with a strong hand finger.

With your weak hand fingers, carefully push or pull the retainer down just far enough to remove spring pressure from the clip. Apply the end of a small, flat blade screwdriver against the clip's edge opposite the clip opening and the retainer post. With gentle force, press down on the screwdriver and pry outward. The clip should back out far enough so that you can then insert the blade of the screwdriver between the clip and the post. Carefully, pry the clip off, being sure to block the clip's movement with your finger, or provide an obstacle (like working against a pillow or a rolled up blanket) that will limit the clip's flight, should it get away from you.

Gently release the retainer and remove the spring. When reinstalling the clip, depress the spring with the retainer again and guide the clip ends back into the retainer post groove. Keeping the spring slightly compressed, squeeze the clip onto the post with a small pair of needle nose pliers. After the clip is in place, gently squeeze the ends of the clip toward each other to ensure that they are tight in the groove.

I worked with small, precision television equipment for over 35 years, and I had to do a lot of this kind of stuff. If you're careful and patient, it's usually pretty easy.
 
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