The gas system in the autoloading Browning designed shotguns (Browning Maxus, Gold & Silver, Winchester SX2 & SX3, FN SLP and so on) is great when it works. The gas system smooths out felt recoil and the shotgun is not prone to short cycle when the gun is not properly supported to the shoulder or when there is a little extra mass mounted on the receiver (like a side saddle full of cartridges for example), as is the case with competing inertia operated shotguns like Benelli.

Here is an example of a broken OEM spring inside of a gas piston.

However, I do not know if the good folks at Browning/Winchester/FN have tried to save a few cents on the springs or if people - lots of people - have just had a bad luck, but the springs inside the gas pistons seem to break prematurely. When that happens after the warranty has expired, these companies want to sell you another piston for a lot of $$$ or €€€, when you could just change the broken spring inside your old piston. Of course selling a new piston to you is a better business for these corporations.

On this website you can find instructions on how you can easily fabricate the tools that are required to rebuild a piston. We have new replacement springs for you too! These springs are made in Finland and they have been previously available to friends and the members of a certain action shooting forum only. Now they are available to everyone!

DIY gas piston tools | Gas piston disassembly | Gas piston reassembly | Buy new springs