Leica M3 - minor shutter issue

I've never actually seen any such recommendation from Leica for M bodies though? And they have been making them for some time now.

No springs were harmed with my M3, cocked or not, it's the shutter blinds that have deteriorated to the point of becoming 'sticky'.

Leaving the shutter uncocked would have masked the problem but it wouldn't have resolved or evaded the underlying issue afaik?

Is it possible that extended periods of leaving the spring not under tension could be just as likely to cause the spring to degrade/lose some of its elasticity?

There is a gear in the cocking mechanism near the top of the camera that has either slipped, or lost a tooth. Do this, without film and the bottom plate removed, cock the camera and you will see a round thing turning while you cock the camera. Once it gets to jammed, move further that round thing with your finger nails and you'll get your M3 cocked and unjammed. This is an indication of the problem with that gear.
It happened to me on my first M4-P after it had been dropped. Don had it fixed, but I sold it later and replaced it with another one because I did not like the bump at the top right side of it.

c41 said:

I've never actually seen any such recommendation from Leica for M bodies though? And they have been making them for some tim

No springs were harmed with my M3, cocked or not, it's the shutter blinds that have deteriorated to the point of becoming 'sticky'.

Leaving the shutter uncocked would have masked the problem but it wouldn't have resolved or evaded the underlying issue afaik?

Is it possible that extended periods of leaving the spring not under tension could be just as likely to cause the spring to degrade/lose some of its elasticity?

Click to expand...

c41 said:

I've never actually seen any such recommendation from Leica for M bodies though? And they have been making them for some time now.

No springs were harmed with my M3, cocked or not, it's the shutter blinds that have deteriorated to the point of becoming 'sticky'.

Leaving the shutter uncocked would have masked the problem but it wouldn't have resolved or evaded the underlying issue afaik?

Is it possible that extended periods of leaving the spring not under tension could be just as likely to cause the spring to degrade/lose some of its elasticity?

Click to expand...

"Is it possible that extended periods of leaving the spring not under tension could be just as likely to cause the spring to degrade/lose some of its elasticity?"
That isn't even possible. As I explained above, the springs in your shutter are under tension whether the shutter is cocked or not. Your camera needs new curtains, plain and simple. I'm sorry you've had so much difficulty with the seller you bought from, but the lesson here is: never ever buy a camera advertised as "just CLA'd" or "just overhauled". Buy a camera as-is and have the work done yourself. ANY decades old camera will require more than just a CLA to function as it should.