1911 recoil spring - what poundage?

N

Noban

New member
I have a government model 1991 and am toying with swapping out the recoil spring.

First, what pound strength is the standard spring - I seem to recall 16 lbs? I also have 15, 18.5 and 22 lb. springs, all made by Wolf (unexpected recent gifts).

Just for kicks, I put the 18.5 and 22 pounders in last night. The 18.5 was manageable and seems like it may reduce felt recoil and frame battering. True? On the other hand, the 22 was a %@#$* to get in and damn near impossible to rack the slide. Might be OK if you're loading for bear and have steel claws for fingers.

Any experience with these two spring weights you want to share would be greatly appreciated.

Forgot to add earlier that I plan on shooting standard 230 gr. ball.

Thanks,

Noban

[This message has been edited by Noban (edited August 23, 2000).]
 
You forgot to tell us what kind of ammo you will be shooting-hardball? light wadcutters?
+P?

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"We have met the enemy, and he is us."
Walt Kelly
 
For standard ammo, 16#-18# should be fine; any heavier and you'll pound the heck out of the bullets, and possibly cause feed problems. If you want a recoil cushion, get a shok-buff.
 
I use 18.5# Wolffs in all my 45 cal 1911's. They have operated flawlessly with 230 ball, HP and 200 gr SWC at 165 power factor. I also use shok buffs but probably don't really need them. If the wear on the buffs is any indication, frame battering is nearly nothing (buffs last 1000 rounds +).

Mikey

[This message has been edited by Mikey (edited August 23, 2000).]
 
Wilson 17lbs. are my favorite. I shoot 230gr. hardball exclusively.

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"We have met the enemy, and he is us."
Walt Kelly
 
Noban,
Remember, the spring is not only a recoil spring, but a return spring. More than 18.5 lbs. would probably be unnecessary and result in peening of your slide stop, as well as add time to your shot recovery.

In regards to shok buffs, we find them to be unnecessary, but if you are going to install them, make sure you can release the slide from slide lock by pulling on the slide. If you are going to use a 18.5 lb + spring, the number of coils in addition to the added width of the the buff can cause problems with being able to drop your slide by racking.

Stay with either 16 or 18.5 lbs.
Best,
Joe

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SKD Tactical Accessories
www.skdtac.com
Your source for hard-core, no-bs gear.
 
How far does the brass eject from the gun? Less than five feet, your spring is heavy. More than ten feet, it's too light. My .45 is set up for 185grn Corbons, has a 22 lb. spring, keeps the brass in about a one foot area eight feet from the gun, and I have put something over ten thousand rounds through the gun w/o damage. I always use Wilson shock buffs, they last over 1,500 rounds w/ the 22 lb spring, but are destroyed in 50 rounds w/ a spring lighter than 20 lbs. This gun has not had a failure to feed, nor failure to eject after the first 500 rounds, and that one was due to very poor crimps in the ammo.

The correct spring for you depends upon the ammo you shoot, and if your shooting different ammo, well, it only take SECONDS to change the spring!!!
 
I asked Steve Clark this same question awhile back. His reply was to use a 16.5 lb spring. At 16.5 lbs, you can fire the hot loads and it won't kill your slide and frame. Yet it's still light enough you can fire target loads through it. If you're only going to fire +p and factory loads, go with a 18.5 lb spring.
 
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