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Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 10:05 pm
by Freezer
I managed to get 5 shots out of my CVA Kentucky Long Rifle before I experienced a problem, the sear spring broke. I have done extensive research and found it is no longer made and hasn't been in twenty years, There are two different springs, the "U" shaped spring is available but not the "V" shape. I have three choices, find someone to make it, make it myself or spend $275 for a new lock.
I'm watching videos and researching techniques. My first problem is they want $40 for a lot more steel than I would need. Is there an alternative? A putty knife or taping blade?
I understand I'll need to get it red hot to shape it and then quench it in oil to harden it again. Then there's the tempering question, I was thinking of a cast iron skillet over a camp stove filled with sand. I saw a gunsmith do it with indirect heat until the metal turned blue but.....
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 11:34 pm
by sakodude
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 12:33 am
by CPJ 2.0
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/parts/de ... -lr-100-ss
“Brand of Manufacturer
L&R Lock Company
Choose Right or Left Hand Lock
Right Hand Gun
L&R Replacement for Factory Lock Assembly with Parts
CVA & Traditions Kentucky -”
That’s for a reproduction of the CVA lock so it may or may not be the exact same, but it’s worth a few bucks to try it.
Any hardenable steel can be can be made a spring with the proper temper.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 12:35 am
by CPJ 2.0
- IMG_7598.jpeg (157.67 KiB) Viewed 3255 times
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 12:50 am
by Freezer
No, Track of the Wolf sent me the 'U" spring. They don't have the 'V'" . I have tried every source including one in Australia, no luck. Wolff Springs doesn't have them. The shotgun springs don't have the side retainer tab. I went to a local BP shop yesterday, this was the first lock he couldn't fix.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 12:52 am
by CPJ 2.0
If that spring doesn’t work, and you can get away with .120 thick material, here’s a cheap option.
https://a.co/d/djKCTuf
If you have a propane torch, you can harden it. If you have a lead melting pot, you can temper it. Caveat, you NEED a thermometer to do it PROPERLY. Yes, you can eyeball the color changes to reach the tempering temperature. However you can NOT hold it at that temperature for long enough to properly temper it. Folks that temper knives in a dirty shed with a cigarette lighter after they have pounded out a knife from the leaf springs of a 79 Ford Granada because their uncle dads best friends brother in-laws cousin was a master blade maker and he ONLY used those springs for knives “ would say you can.
But I kinda side with science, physics, and metallurgists that list proper temps for tempering.
If you don’t have a thermometer, if you make the spring and send it to me, I can toss it in my heat treat oven.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 12:53 am
by CPJ 2.0
Have a pic of the spring?
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:01 am
by Freezer
Thank you! I thought I could get another spring and mistakenly threw the old one away. There are plenty of pictures and I'm sure since the metal will be soft I can use a file and dremel to form what I need. I just don't know what steel to start with. The entire spring will be less than 2.5 inches long and less than 1/4 wide.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:09 am
by CPJ 2.0
Freezer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:01 am
Thank you! I thought I could get another spring and mistakenly threw the old one away. There are plenty of pictures and I'm sure since the metal will be soft I can use a file and dremel to form what I need. I just don't know what steel to start with. The entire spring will be less than 2.5 inches long and less than 1/4 wide.
Here’s the steel.
https://a.co/d/djKCTuf
With extra for you to make a knife or three from. If .120 is thick enough.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:10 am
by Elk Creek
That spring you pictured is for the sear return spring, not the main spring. Traditional flint/percussion locks have 2 springs the main a long V spring with a tab at the end and usually a pin out the side near the bend. The other is the one you posted, it just puts pressure on he sear to keep it engaged.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:11 am
by CPJ 2.0
Is this or?
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:15 am
by Elk Creek
Yep! That’s what you want! If that craps out gone these guys a call.
https://logcabinshop.com/oc30/index.php ... on/contact
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:18 am
by Elk Creek
It’s a dang good place to start, all of those locks need to be fit. The spring will need to be fit to your lock
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:34 am
by CPJ 2.0
Here’s the link to the eBay spring
https://ebay.us/m/CJ1rJZ
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:39 am
by Elk Creek
Does the lock internal look like it matches up? The hook should go around the tumbler, the other end will rest against a stop of some kind
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:52 am
by Freezer
CJP, what you show is the main spring, I need the sear spring. I spoke with Sussie at Log Cabin, a sweet ol girl. She is the person that told me not to mess with the "U shaped spring, it's too short. I'll try to post pics of the "U" spring and "V" spring
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:57 am
by Freezer
Freezer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 09, 2026 1:52 am
CJP, what you show is the main spring, I need the sear spring. I spoke with Sussie at Log Cabin, a sweet ol girl. She is the person that told me not to mess with the "U shaped spring, it's too short. I'll try to post pics of the "U" spring and "V" spring
[/quote
https://www.deercreekproducts.net/store ... pring.html
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:08 am
by CPJ 2.0
That spring?
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:10 am
by CPJ 2.0
Ok. I’m guessing here’s the ones your after, and the V is not available.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:12 am
by CPJ 2.0
Find an electrician and have him cut you off a chunk of his fish tape. Heat to anneal it and bend, re-treat it.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:15 am
by Elk Creek
CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:12 am
Find an electrician and have him cut you off a chunk of his fish tape. Heat to anneal it and bend, re-treat it.
The one you posted from track of the wolf will probably work. It’s old technology it ain’t rocket surgery…..
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:16 am
by CPJ 2.0
Ok!
NOW we are talking!
Problem solved with this YouTube video.
https://youtu.be/TpcDU7OyBHc?feature=shared
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:22 am
by Elk Creek
That’s looks like a fun afternoon!!
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:34 am
by Freezer
CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 09, 2026 12:33 am
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/parts/de ... -lr-100-ss
“Brand of Manufacturer
L&R Lock Company
Choose Right or Left Hand Lock
Right Hand Gun
L&R Replacement for Factory Lock Assembly with Parts
CVA & Traditions Kentucky -”
That’s for a reproduction of the CVA lock so it may or may not be the exact same, but it’s worth a few bucks to try it.
Any hardenable steel can be can be made a spring with the proper temper.
I bought this spring, it cost me $15. This is the spring that I thought would work and threw the broken spring away, This is a spring for their replacement lock, not the original CVA. New lock $270.
Re: Any experience making a spring?
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:48 am
by Elk Creek
It’s going to work. It may take a bit of work but you’ll be up and running in no time.
