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[FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 9:01 pm
by Redchrome
When doing my dry practice, I found that my TOZ-35 stopped cocking. I could no longer set the trigger using the sidelever.
After disassembling the pistol I found that a tiny little flat spring was broken in half. It seems to be #15, the "middle lever spring" on page 4 of this manual:
https://archive.org/details/gunmanual_V ... 3/mode/2up
I have a grasp of how the mechanism seems to work, but what I don't get is why (if?) this spring being broken would cause the trigger cocking mechanism to not set. It seems that this spring helps the #9 "small lever" release the #16 "accellerator striker", and its failure should make it *harder* for the mechanism to release.
So that makes me worry that I've got worn engagement surfaces on the 'sear' between part #9 and #16. If that's the case I would rather have a competent 'smith look at this thing. I know enough about sears to know I shouldn't go fiddling with engagement surfaces like this unless I have experience with the exact parts in question or a really good guide, and I have neither.
Does anyone have experience with this spring breaking? I tried looking for a spare on Larry's Guns and didn't immediately see one there. Does anyone have a spare spring, or am I going to be whittling one out of a paperclip?
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 9:35 pm
by spektr
The best references to the Toz 35 are found Igors Blog.... In the archives are complete, down to the last little part disassembly sequential photos and a lot of explanation of all the motions.....
http://toz35.blogspot.com/
Enjoy
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 11:19 pm
by Rover
" I tried looking for a spare on Larry's Guns and didn't immediately see one there. Does anyone have a spare spring, or am I going to be whittling one out of a paperclip?"
Larry's Guns is kaput. In my experience, a bent small paper clip is far superior to the crap Russian springs.
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 5:27 pm
by Redchrome
spektr wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2020 9:35 pm
The best references to the Toz 35 are found Igors Blog.... In the archives are complete, down to the last little part disassembly sequential photos and a lot of explanation of all the motions.....
http://toz35.blogspot.com/
Enjoy
Thanks spektr, it's been a lot of years since I looked at that blog. I found a blog post which (in a roundabout way) hinted at how the 'middle lever' works and why that spring is needed for proper function.
http://toz35.blogspot.com/2013/12/toz-3 ... oblem.html
I think this is the part I need:
https://www.larrysguns.com/Products/Spr ... TZ-12.aspx
But I may try making one. Finding drills and files in my toolbox which are small enough may be a problem, and I hope I don't have to draw-file it too much.
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 6:38 pm
by Gwhite
All of Larry's Guns parts & such were purchased by Jim Henderson at Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio. Jim is still digging through all the parts (which were not exactly well organized & labeled). He is selling them under "Red Feather Outfitters". In fact, if you go to LGI's web site, it now mentions Red Feather, and the phone number listed (419-560-6030) will get you to Jim. The web site isn't set up for on-line sales, but Jim can take PayPal.
Unless you are very lucky, it may take Jim a while to find the part you need, but there is a chance he can locate it quickly.
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 10:10 pm
by Sa-tevo
Go to
https://www.larrysguns.com/ first and read all ordering instructions.
Then go to
https://www.larrysguns.com/Departments/ ... BFont.aspx and look for the TOZ parts you need.
Jim also has sear springs in stock. There is a very good laminated TOZ-35 poster available that has many illustrations. I would select the poster in English,
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 9:48 am
by Redchrome
Thanks a lot for the advice. I'm unemployed right now and probably don't need another poster in my life (tho I can read enough Russian to be interested in the original Russian poster), but I really appreciate the pointer to it!
https://www.larrysguns.com/Products/WAL ... OZ-WP.aspx
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 10:57 am
by pbrejsa
The easiest solution - make yourself a piece of tape measure. The service life of the original planchet-spring #15 is usually about 10 thousand (upto 30, if you are lucky) clicks. Be careful during reassembly, in case of incorrect assembly there is a risk of breaking the fork of part #9 (small lever), this makes the repair much more difficult. Hi
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 12:39 pm
by Redchrome
Thanks @pbrejsa, I don't have a tape measure I'm willing to sacrifice to the cause, but I've got a ton of little sheet metal paperclips so I'm going to see if I can do something with one of them. If nothing else it'll be a learning experience!
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 1:15 pm
by pbrejsa
No, wire of paper clips is suitable to use for #70 sear spring. Yes, it's possible to use metal sheet from binder clip. The thickness about 0,2 mm.
https://www.google.com/search?q=binder+ ... WpGCTHGokM:
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 3:12 pm
by Redchrome
I've already replaced my sear spring long ago with a paperclip - which is still fine today!
I don't see that I can replace the middle lever spring with a paperclip tho - I need a wider spring so it doesn't fall off the lever.
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 3:36 pm
by pbrejsa
It might be possible to make a spring from wire, but it must have the middle lever spring hardness of about 45 - 48 HRC, a standard office wire clip has a much lower hardness. This spring should also have great flexibility, ie low stiffness such as a flat strip. The round cross section is not very suitable.
Re: TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 4:00 pm
by Redchrome
In case anyone comes across this thread in the future, I did manufacture a new spring out of a flat steel paperclip.
I got partway through the process before realizing I should take pictures to document it. So here's a few of the nearly-finished part.
I measured the broken pieces of the original and drew out a (very rough) diagram
Took a couple of paint stirrers (nearest thin pieces of wood) and clamped them in my vise one against the other.
I clipped the paperclip over both of them, and attempted to drill through it. I then found my tiny drill bits were utter garbage and had the stiffness of a piece of spaghetti. (They actually unwound the spiral flutes, that's how bad the temper was). So I just drove a nail through the paperclip to punch the necessary hole. Clamping the nail between the pieces of wood held it firmly in place while I used the dremel and a cutoff wheel to cut away everything which wasn't in the rough shape of the spring I needed.
I then used files to remove everything else until I got to the shape I needed.
The spring does seem to work! Haven't done a live fire test yet, but it seems to work in dry fire.
Re: [FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:52 pm
by rmca
Redchrome,
A repair done in true soviet spirit.
You have made all mother Russia gunsmiths very proud! ;)
Good work on the repair!
Re: [FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:03 pm
by Redchrome
Спасбо болшои! (Thanks a lot!)
Re: [FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 9:10 pm
by Gwhite
One trick you can try for drilling through thin spring steel is to "spot anneal" the place you want the hole. Cut a nail about the size of the hole so it has a flat end, and then use a drill press at high speed & high pressure to heat up the metal with friction. As long as you have a reasonably beefy drill press, you can get the metal red hot right where you need to drill. Let it cool slowly, and even a cheap "Chinesium" drill bit should work.
Re: [FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:55 pm
by pbrejsa
I use a hammer, a 1.5 mm hard rod and a piece of hardwood to make this spring. The jaws of the vice are covered with copper or aluminum sheet. I will adjust the cut diameter to 2 mm with a Swiss needle round file. I work the outer shape of the spring with scissors and a fine file. The raw material for the spring is a tape from a tape measure. It is good to always have this spare spring with you. This spring can crack at any time at the older TOZ35.
Re: [FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:44 pm
by Redchrome
Gwhite wrote: ↑Wed Jun 24, 2020 9:10 pm
One trick you can try for drilling through thin spring steel is to "spot anneal" the place you want the hole. Cut a nail about the size of the hole so it has a flat end, and then use a drill press at high speed & high pressure to heat up the metal with friction. As long as you have a reasonably beefy drill press, you can get the metal red hot right where you need to drill. Let it cool slowly, and even a cheap "Chinesium" drill bit should work.
Thanks for the advice, that's a pretty good tip. Sadly, I don't have a drill press. (One of these days I'll get one, the lack of one occasionally bugs me.)
Re: [FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:46 pm
by Redchrome
pbrejsa wrote: ↑Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:55 pm
I use a hammer, a 1.5 mm hard rod and a piece of hardwood to make this spring. The jaws of the vice are covered with copper or aluminum sheet. I will adjust the cut diameter to 2 mm with a Swiss needle round file. I work the outer shape of the spring with scissors and a fine file. The raw material for the spring is a tape from a tape measure. It is good to always have this spare spring with you. This spring can crack at any time at the older TOZ35.
Thanks! I did consider using a tape measure for this, but mine are all in good condition and I didn't want to ruin one. However, I found the flat steel paperclip material is just perfect and I have dozens of extras of those.
Re: [FIXED] TOZ-35 won't cock, #15 "middle lever spring" is broken
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 7:43 pm
by T Ibbotson
Hi All,
Part #15 as discussed above has fallen out my pistol whilst cleaning!
I have checked exploded view in manual, however it is unclear where this part belongs in the Toz
Could anyone offer me some guidance or a pic of part installed please?
Thanks in Advance