[shep]

I replaced the recoil spring on my 1960 Soviet Type 3. It was so weak, that if you set it on it's butt the bolt would drop out of battery (yet it shot just fine, since it still had the power when pulled back to slam the bolt carrier into place). My Type 3 isn't all matching, so quite likely this spring isn't the one it came with from the factory, but I'm sure it's been in there many years. Anyway, after it's long service life, it is now 4 1/4 inches or 11cm shorter than the new spring I bought to replace it.

 

[10auto]

Testament to a good design. Always nice having a BCG that will feed and fire a football with the proper powder charge. I have a few spare parts for my AK's, but I always have mixed feelings buying them like I'm wasting money. Then I remember 1994 and it all goes away

 

[Norinco QBZ-95]

At least metallurgy has gotten better in the past fifty years. Assuming it's a well made spring, this one should last longer than the previous one.