dsp Posted May 23, 2023 Report Share Posted May 23, 2023 Hello, I am in search of m3 or m3a1 ratchet spring which keeps the barrel nut from loosening. If anyone can recommend a source, it will be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, I may have some reproduced. Is there a market for reproduction ratchet springs? Anyone else in need of them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babyface Nelson Posted May 24, 2023 Report Share Posted May 24, 2023 Sir, If you should get some reproductions fabricated, I would be interested as well Thank you “BF” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annihilator Posted May 24, 2023 Report Share Posted May 24, 2023 I have a few Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanksguy Posted May 24, 2023 Report Share Posted May 24, 2023 So you're talking about having some of the second model barrel-ratchet-springs (catches) made (?)........maybe think of some of the first-model too (?). (For owners wanting to take their M3 back to "as-issued" condition.). On a side note.....there was a guy out in California that had a gun-parts-business that had some for sale along with rivets. Name was John ___________ (?) from what I recall. Last, while you are sourcing the making of the springs.....what about a short run of the "bucking-bars" to back up the rivets when "setting" them. I believe that the drawing for these is in the TM - _____________ - 35. Early Barrel-Catch-Spring: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerslayer Posted May 25, 2023 Report Share Posted May 25, 2023 I did make one from spring steel last month. Its possible but from a time standpoint not particularly cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted May 25, 2023 Report Share Posted May 25, 2023 If Annihilator doesn't come through I may have one available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rekraps Posted May 25, 2023 Report Share Posted May 25, 2023 18 hours ago, Annihilator said: I have a few I own a M3 but hate the spring... very hard on my poor old fingers. Do you have a type two for sale? If so, how much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted May 26, 2023 Report Share Posted May 26, 2023 I guess these would be type 2? Would seem to be easier to stick a knife blade into to release much easier? I don't know that I would ever change it out unless absolutely necessary. Would seem to be a lot of work to buck the rivets and mess with the whole thing? Quite a number have been damaged due to DEWAT welding, so they all need fixing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got Uzi Posted May 26, 2023 Report Share Posted May 26, 2023 Those are the M3A1 type or “type two” as some refer to them. They simplified the barrel catch to be one piece instead of 4 pieces. Hardly see the M3 type barrel catch units loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rekraps Posted May 30, 2023 Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 great point. I forgot they were riveted to the gun. Shit. My fingers still pain me every time I remove my barrel. On 5/25/2023 at 9:18 PM, johnsonlmg41 said: I guess these would be type 2? Would seem to be easier to stick a knife blade into to release much easier? I don't know that I would ever change it out unless absolutely necessary. Would seem to be a lot of work to buck the rivets and mess with the whole thing? Quite a number have been damaged due to DEWAT welding, so they all need fixing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillinBama Posted May 30, 2023 Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 Use the small screwdriver you always keep in your pocket when shooting full auto (to remove a stovepipe) to depress the lever and save your fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rekraps Posted June 11, 2023 Report Share Posted June 11, 2023 Once again, excellent advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsp Posted July 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 I wanted to say thanks to Johnsonlmg41 for the ratchet springs and thanks to NFA Sales for the original steel rivets. I am attaching some photos of the rivet installation tool that I found which worked great. The tool cost less than the M3 gunsmith was going to charge to install rivets and when you consider shipping, this probably saved me $550. It was a relatively easy job. The hardest part was using heavy tape to pull the ratchet spring up tight against mag well prior to riveting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted July 31, 2023 Report Share Posted July 31, 2023 Not sure where you were thinking of sending it, but I doubt they would have done a better job than you did? That's a nice tool! That would come in handy for a lot of things around my shop? Where did you find that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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