question regarding the small spring in an Armalite hopup

[sherlockbonez]

I have bent the little spring that sits on top of the hopup in an armalite. I have looked up and down this planet and no one seems to have it. I was wondering if i can make do with a cut down pen spring for now until i can find a replacement. I guess more specifcally I am asking how important that spring is and what it's use for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[PoFF]

I do beleive that this spring keeps some pressure on the hop-up to make it sit correctly against the gearbox front.

If you cut down a pen spring, make sure it's long enough (too long will be better than too short in this case), if not, the hop-up chamber will not go far back enough and you'll experience poor performance due to air leaks.

[Blastyman]

Now I am not saying this is ideal but I have one gun with no spring on my hopup and have not noticed any ill effects.

Still chrono's at 375 like it always did and shoots fine. So I never bothered to get a replacement.

[sherlockbonez]

Just reinstalled everything, using a pen spring of "best" size (tried about 10), along with the guarder hopup sleeve that had the ramp ripped off. It jammed the first times I shot it. Took everything out, and reinstalled it again, everything seems to be shooting fine now after 200 rds. Gonna try it out some more tonite, will post results again if anyone cares.