Could it work without the spring?

OK, so I decide to do the bolt release mod on my 10/22.
I take it apart and remove the release. All very orderly and nothing goes sprong!
I put it back together and notice there isn't any spring action to the mag release.

I take it apart to see what isn't hooked up and don't see anything that would give the mag release a spring action.

I look up a trigger group parts break down and see there is a large spring around the mag catch.

I don't know how it could have gotten away from me but I can't find it anywhere. It's not the kind if a spring that would shoot away like the springs in an AR.

Anyway, this trigger group is new to me. Came from a Charger and I have shot it in my 10/22 a few times and didn't notice anything wrong with it.,

If the spring was missing before I took it apart, I would have noticed it correct?

Anyway, I guess it's time to find a spring.

I hate when this happens!

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent...