smashed springs?

[Ceph]

ok, here's the problem i've run into. I can only get my gun to fire using the stock spring. None of the springs with the level 10 kit work. Each one of them just bleeds gas down the barrel. If i turn up the velocity, it bleeds out the back.
Now the spring that was on it was actually shorter than the bolt when i pulled it out of the body. Upon putting a new spring on the bolt and firing it a few times, it's now smashed down to the same size. Is that normal?

I have completely replaced all the o-rings in my Classic RT valve. have the 1.5 carrier and 2 shims on the level 10.
As it sits now, smashed stock spring and LX setup as above, it fires fine. Some small leak down the barrel from time-to-time, but bearable.

I also don't know if the LX is set up right, it hits my squeegy and pushes it out of the gun, no chuffing. but on rapid firing of some year and a half old paint, no breaks. The LX did kick in a couple times, as i had to pull the trigger to reset it. So i'm not sure if it's working properly or not. I'm not going to put my finger in there to test it either. any other way to check?

Sorry if that's alot of questions, but this is my first mag, and i'm still learning. thanks.
Ceph.

[Ceph]

anyone?

[personman]

That doesnt sound right, springs shouldnt wear down that fast. Are you sure it was a brand new spring? The LX sounds like it could use some tuning.. I dont know what to recommend you do though.. I'd say the best to do would be to start over using the guide posted on automags.org home page.. Its kind of a pain though. You can try adding a shim and see if that helps with the bolt resetting.

[Ceph]

Pics to explain

ok, here are a couple pics of what i was asking about. Maybe they will help.
The first pic is the spring on the bolt after it has been shot a couple times. Then another new spring on the bolt. Finally a new spring, with two of the ones thave have been on the bolt already for a few shots. I have 2 more new stock springs, the red one, and the long one left. Only the stock springs seem to work with the LX on my marker, and yes they were new before i started.

Any ideas? Is this a bad thing, or normal?

[athomas]

I've never seen fresh springs compress like that in such a short period of time.

To get rid of leaking down the barrel, remove all shims from the level 10 powertube setup. Then use the largest carrier that does not produce a leak. I would say you may need the next size larger than you have now, if you are getting bolt stick.

If the gun won't fire with the middle spring, due to venting out the back, chances are the regulator piston assembly is worn out. Get a new one and it will allow you to utilize a longer spring and soften the bolt impact.

The best way to test the level 10 is to push a squeegie up against the front of the bolt and pull the trigger. With the trigger held in, allow the squeegie to come forward. You will be able to feel the pressure. If the squeegie is not against the bolt face, the bolt can hit it with quite a bit of force. The level 10 softening only occurs in the first part of the stroke.

[Ceph]

ok, i went half a size smaller on the carrier, and the barrel hissing stopped completely. Then just out of curiosity, i cronoed it. First shot was 338 fps through a 16" Boomstick. then it popped out 328, 326, 324, 325. So i got it set now at 280 fps, and the LX seems alot more sensative. no problems at all. Never heard of anyone having to turn down a gun after the LX install, so maybe the high FPS was the problem. I'll throw a new spring in it again, and see how long it lasts now.