Problem with bolt hold open on 1918 DMW

Comanche1952 · 11-01-2016, 02:26 PM

I didn't use a dremel; my oldest some chewed up all the abrasive bits working on his 1966 Mustang.

So, on the initial premise that the sides of the HO may be binding, I used an Arkansas stone to polish the edges of the HO. This would also hit the spring where it is inserted into the HO. That didn't work.

Next, I took a pair of end-cutters and lopped off about 1/32" from the skinny end of the spring. That didn't work.

Finally, I used the Arkansas stone to lightly remove material from all four sides of the spring end that sticks beyond the HO. And I mean lightly. I kept stoning and testing until the HO worked.

In fact, I removed very little metal. You couldn't tell it had been touched except that the bluing on the spring end rubbed off.

I think what finally did the trick is that I got the thickness of the spring down just enough to have it's pressure be compatible with the pressure the magazine follower and its button put on the HO. They are in balance now, I believe. Time will tell.

11-01-2016, 02:26 PM	#19
Comanche1952 User Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	I didn't use a dremel; my oldest some chewed up all the abrasive bits working on his 1966 Mustang. So, on the initial premise that the sides of the HO may be binding, I used an Arkansas stone to polish the edges of the HO. This would also hit the spring where it is inserted into the HO. That didn't work. Next, I took a pair of end-cutters and lopped off about 1/32" from the skinny end of the spring. That didn't work. Finally, I used the Arkansas stone to lightly remove material from all four sides of the spring end that sticks beyond the HO. And I mean lightly. I kept stoning and testing until the HO worked. In fact, I removed very little metal. You couldn't tell it had been touched except that the bluing on the spring end rubbed off. I think what finally did the trick is that I got the thickness of the spring down just enough to have it's pressure be compatible with the pressure the magazine follower and its button put on the HO. They are in balance now, I believe. Time will tell.