Doc, there are dozens of kits available on Ebay, with springs about that size included. Most of them are less than $20.00, some a lot less. I'd be tempted to try to use something like that, and adjust the length if necessary to get the right tension and range of movement. Another source of compression springs is Brownell's gunsmithing supply in Montezuma Iowa. They stock a wide variety of springs in various diameters and tensions that we gunsmiths use for detent ball springs, etc. I believe their usual stock size is about 3" in length, and the spring is cut to fit a particular application.
Jerry
