Anatomy of a Spring

[outofstepper]

Greets all.
I've got a newbie question.
I'm a tinkerer -- and just got a new toy -- bad combination

I'm reluctant to take it apart -- but I've got a technical question:
(excuse me if I get the terminology wrong).

I'm curious about the connection between the cocking linkange
and the spring.  The link, at some point, has to get through
the cylinder to connect to the piston and/or spring.  In doing so,
theres got to be a long slot cut in the cylinder (so the linkage can
move back and forth during cocking).

In fact, while installing my GRT, I could see the slot and the spring
inside.

When fired, doesn't all the compression caused by the piston just
bleed out of this slot?  

Maybe its because I don't understand whats going on.
Can anyone shed some light on this?

Also, any links to "techy" springer stuff?  I've been looking through
some part breakdowns I can find -- and the Shop forum is great.

[mackeralboy]

The long slot you see is for the linkage to be able to push back the piston back that is inside the reciever and compress the spring. The head of the piston is forward of this slot and that is where all of the compression takes place. On the very back of the piston is a small slot. This is where the catch for the trigger group engages the piston when it is pushed back by cocking it.  

Follow this link and they have some great demos that should shed some light.

http://www.arld1.com/

[shadow]

First WELCOME to the GTA family Tony now about that spring/compression question. The cocking linkage go's through the slot that you see on the bottom of the action. Inside the action sits the piston and mainspring which sits inside the piston. The piston as a small slot in it where the cocking linkage hook's into so when you cock the shooter the linkage push's the piston back to engage the trigger sear. The air is not lost through this area since the compression part of the tube does not go back that far and the piston seal is forward of this area so when the shooter is fired the piston seal moves forward and forces the air out through the breach and pellet out the barrel. Hope this helped  a little. Ed