Spring already broke in Big Cat

I purchased a Big Cat 2-3 weeks ago.  Maybe shot it 1000-1500 times.  Spring already broke! Fortunately I had the receipt and exchanged it.  Is this common? I'm planning on building a simple spring compressor.  Is there a better spring I can put in there?  I would like to have it on hand in case this happens again.

[leftcoast1]

Yes this is a common thing to happen. Could be caused from guides not fitted properly or lack of lube. J Macarri may have a spring you can use and a better seal. He also sells quality lubes as well.

Hopefully I'll have better luck with this one. It shoots smooth with no twangy sound.  The other one was harsh with a lot of twang. You would think they'd have better quality control.

Also, how long should a good spring, installed properly, last?

[vinceb]

Maccarri doesn't have a 'drop-in' replacement. Rich in Mich offers a kit with custom guides and a different spring, but it does cost a few bucks. You could always send the rifle to CDT for a complete workover - he has lots of happy customers but, again, it's gonna cost more than just the parts.

The closest thing to a drop-in is a Crosman Quest spring and tophat, which goes for about $12 shipped as I recall. The Quest spring does fit on the existing guide a little more tightly than the Gamo spring and seems to reduce twang at the same time. Power is about the same.

Opinion is split on the quality of this spring, though. CDT doesn't really like them, he says they don't live that long. Rich says they last just fine, longer than Gamo's original springs. Personally, I've never busted a Crosman spring either in my Crosman guns or in several of my Gamo's that have them. Perhaps I just don't have enough shots on 'em. Oddly enough, though, I've had 3 BAM-made guns from a few years ago, and ALL of them busted their springs. BAM makes the Quest, so my good luck with Quest springs reflects either luck or improved QC on BAM's part. I have no idea which it is.

[98 SNAKE EATER]

The one in my Whisper snapped at just over 5000 shots...

Didn't feel like waiting for warranty repairs only to get another Gamo spring that would probably snap again, so I sent it out to CDT for a turbo tune and have been happy eversince  

The first time my spring broke, I sent it in for repair.  Took about three long weeks 'till I had the thing back, and 35$ in shipping charges.  Second time, I sold the gun to someone for $55 as a project gun, and bought a new one with lube tune for $70.  The spring didn't break in the new one yet, but after a few thousand shots I upgraded from a stock spring to a tarantula kit, from Rich in Mich.  The kit was pretty decent, came with a spring + lubes + custom fitted guide and tophat.  A bit pricey at 70, but still reasonable.  Replacing the spring wasn't too hard, it was a new adventure.  I'd recommend you replace it on your own if your the kind of person who likes to attempt new things.  Its a good and easy learning experience.  Good luck whichever path you take.

i highly recomend sending the gun to cdt ....you will be very happy you did...

[gamo2hammerli]

Hey Gryd...just out of curiosity...what's the weight of the pellets you were shooting?  I too have a month old Big Cat....shot 180 pellets thru it only though.  I shoot mainly Crosman Competition Wadcutters (To break in my air rifles...) @ 7.9 grains.  Hope my spring don't break.....

I did shoot a few heavier pellets (Gamo Rockets) and some light PBA's.  Both Gamo pellets.  Won't take my chances with those again even though Gamo says they are perfectly safe. I plan on buying  a couple backup springs for the future.

[howie1a]

One of the things I didn't like about Gamo is they will not sell you any parts so you have to go and sent the rifle back to them for repair at their high labor prices .You are stuck. I had a big cat and that is the first and last Gamo I will have I learned my lesson, Also if they sell over and under weight pellets that hurt your gun they should either take them off the market or be responsible for their bad engineering . They have engineer's that are supposed to be the experts  not us the laymen but it's still all about the money the loss of pellet sales.