Well, so much for that never fire the gun without the bronze friction piece. I was told the same thing at a good gunsmith store. I wanted to fire 3/4oz loads in it and was told they're too light. Well, no friction piece or spacer/washer, just the spring, and it works great. The forearm hasn't cracked. Same with my buddies auto-5. Just a spring. It all depends on how much recoil there is.