T-33 Recoil Spring

[Horsefeathers]

HELP!     How do you fit the recoil spring onto the retainer?   That little plug in the front with the groove around it?   It slips over and onto the groove some how. HorseFeathers...

[NRAJOE]

I take it you've figured it out by now? 

[Horsefeathers]

OK I give up!   NRA JOE or any one HOW DO YOU SNAP THE RECOIL SPRING ONTO THE FORWARD RETAINER PLUG? Several forums inquired and no replys. Even Wolf Springs doesnt know. Everyone changes recoil springs in their T-33's  what is the big secret? Parts breakdowns show a conventional plug with a rod on it that fits inside the spring,but my two guns have this type and replacement springs are the same. Large endfor the spring guide and smaller end for the retainer. ( The part that protrudes through the bushing,)

[Mikey]

Horsefeathers: try turning the spring around (you probably already did that) but otherwise, you may have to use some needle-nosed pliers to help the the spring onto the retainer plug.  I just took my Tok apart and the retainer plug didn't want to come off the end of the spring, but it has been off before.  You may need to try and install the plug first, then the spring and see if it press fits together. 

Insert your barrel and bushing and position the bushing properly.  Turn the slide so the barrel is facing the floor and insert the plug so that it sits evenly in the bushing (portrudes slightly from the bushing).  Insert the spring guide into the spring and insert the spring on top of the plug, set the spring guide against the barrel link (which may or may not rest perpendicular to the barrel instead of parallel with it), then mount the slide to the frame.  The spring should hold the plug in place until you can manually operate the pistol.  If the spring, plug and guide set properly you should be able to fire the pistol without damange to anything except the target. 

I have seen some of those pistols come off the battlefield without the spring plugs installed, so apparently the quality control of the wartime (Vietnam) pistols may not have been all that great, yet they functioned just as they should. 

If you simply cannot install the spring to the plug, or vice versa, even with the help of some needle nosed pliers, get some new plugs;  try SAMCO, SARCO or Gun parts Corp and see if they carry any of those plugs for the Tok - I often see parts for the Tok and plugs might be included.  I would simply get two or three, find the one that goes onto the spring best and stash the others.  I would also get some new springs from Wolffe.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Horsefeathers]

Mikey.,I 'll give that a try. I got new Wolf springs for both of my T-33's. I pried the retainer off the old spring. The spring onthis one (the Romanian) Was weak , It returned to battery in slow motion.Also both ends of the spring were flattened somewhat from wear. Could the retainer plug be also worn to a larger diameter? I'll shop around for some new plugs.  THANKS! Horsefeathers.

[Mikey]

Horsefeathers:  yes, the plug could be worn and flattened a bit on the inside, but these may be of soft steel and easily 'fixed' with a small flat Swiss file.  Howsoever, it is a good thing to have a couple of new plugs around just to be safe.  Please understand however that many of the TT-33 or Type54-1 parts you get may be Chinese leftovers from manufacturers shops and not of the best quality, which might require a tiny bit of 'fitting', like with a small flat Swiss file.......................

Also, if yours runs sluggish you are correct in that a new spring is needed but you should also check for unusual wear patterns on the hammer/trigger housing.  The top of the guide rails may need a little relief to make sure they do not slow the slide but this is pretty rare in the Toks.  I think a spring should do ya; that and good quality ammo (check Ron Reed's site, he makes ammo for Toks).  Mikey.