Auto-5 Sure Cycle action spring problem

Picked up the action spring rebuild kit from Sure Cycle for my 1953 Auto-5. Replaced the recoil spring and the magazine spring, too, with parts from Midwest Gun Works. Problem with the action spring is the spring could only go over the red plug with a great deal of force and by turning the spring to open the diameter and would definitely not get over the lip near the end. Same with the silver plug and would not fit and appears the same as the wider diameter of the red plug. I ended up using the old spring which has a diameter that fits the red and silver plug. I have contacted Sure Cycle and waiting to hear back. The original plug that the red replaced was made of wood.

That is what this site is for - to share opinions and information. I honestly don't remember why I went the Sure Cycle and not the aftermarket OEM parts. I really just need the new spring since I have the plugs and that spring should be the correct diameter. BTW, just picked up a Silver in old school camo to use as my waterfowl gun.

I learned the hard way that after market parts should be avoided. In my case it was a recoil spring that was too wide and cracked the forearm.

The Browning action spring is only $9.00. I see MGW no longer carries the Browning plug and follower. I’m sure they’re available from Art’s. The wooden plugs can get oil soaked and fall apart, the new plastic piece is or was just a couple of bucks. Or you could make one from a dowel for virtually nothing. I can’t imagine breaking a follower, though I guess you could lose it. That after market kit is $38.95!

What plug and follower are you referring to? I show all parts for the action as in stock. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are available as Browning parts. 2, 3, and 4 are listed Browning OEM with the spring as MGW.


I did call the company and they are sending a new spring.

From MGW and not Sure Cycle:
Spring $9
Spring plug to replace wood $14.50
Plug pin $5
So $28.50 at a minimum. $10 is not a big difference but with the Sure Cycle plug, I do get one made of aluminium and not plastic. I have guns with plastic but if I can avoid, I do.

I refreshed mine with a kit from Art's. Works like a new one now.

Get yourself another NOS spring and you will be in business. The plug looks ok Obviously Chin Mao at the Temu factory got the çoil wind too tight on the mandrel.
It's amazing it didn't get picked up by their super effecient quality control area.
Yeah Right....

Temu is just the new on line version of ACME for my avatar to shop with....

You’re right, now I do see the plug, on Page 3 of the parts. Normally when you click on a part, that part shows up first. When I bought the plastic version several years ago, I think it was $5 or less. Any more than that and I’d have used a dowel and a nail. That aluminum plug looks nice, but it won’t affect cycling one way or another, despite the name.

"All of the parts and accessories which Sure Cycle manufacturers are proudly made here in the USA in our state of the art facility."

That's good to hear stuff being manufactured internal USA. To me that usually rings quality and care factor to how it should be. Doesn't matter what part of the world USA made usually means good stuff.
Too much inferior Chin Fong knock offs out there now for my liking gets copied poorly in mainland or alike with sub standard metallurgy or melted down bed frames ,then imported back and branded up by the majors with zero care factor .
Take a look at once highly prized Nicholson files. They are not a smudge on the previous original US made item. Price is same and they are crap in comparison and performance
Jokingly I bet Rudolph would be wary and have his parachute strapped on if the shin fang machine tool company was responsible and busy punching out valve springs for his Pratt and Whitney