Crosman 760 BB Detent

[newt68]

What is the purpose of the detent/spring in an early SC Crosman 760 and how would you test to make sure it is functioning correctly?  My guess it is to hold the BB in place until the bolt picks it up, but that is just a guess.  Or maybe it just puts some pressure on bolt to hold in place so it doesn't move too freely.  Those suckers can be hard to tell if they are installed correctly when putting a rifle back together so I was hoping there was an easy test to make sure it is in the right position.

To be clear I am talking about the one that goes into the side of the barrel not the one that allows the BBs up into top of the receiver.

[HPP-Mechanic]

I recently bought a 1966 Crosman 760 Powermaster that didnt work. That detent spring/ball was missing too. I replaced it, and from what I can tell, It keeps the bolt from flopping around. It was a pain to install, but it does do its job. Gun shoots again too.

[newt68]

I recently bought a 1966 Crosman 760 Powermaster that didnt work. That detent spring/ball was missing too. I replaced it, and from what I can tell, It keeps the bolt from flopping around. It was a pain to install, but it does do its job. Gun shoots again too.

Yeah after giving it some more thought I do agree that is the purpose!  Thanks