How many have replaced the recoil springs in their pistols?

Adventurer_96

New member
As a bit of preventive maintenance on a newly acquired Belgian Hi Power, I'm interested in possibly getting a stiffer recoil spring or recoil reduction system and he got me thinking. I'm not expecting to shoot +P-type loadings in the pistol, but rather light loads initally for plinking. Besides, $20-40 could be well spent on reloading stuff...

How many folks have taken this kind of preventative in their pistols?



Check Six.
 
In an autoloader, you have to balance the recoil and firing pin springs with the load being used.

When I got my Commander, it was throwing the brass 20 to 25 feet away from me with standard ball ammo. So, I went to a heavier recoil spring and the ejected brass fell closer with 100% reliability.

The Govt. Model is fine with hardball and the std. 16 lb. spring.
When "softball" target loads are used, the spring gets changed to 14 lbs.

The recoil spring and the firing pin spring get changed at least every 2,000 rounds and the shock-buff at least every 500 rounds.

Adventurer, I would shoot your Hi-Power as it is and make sure it is reliable in the factory standard configuration before you change anything.

Congratulations on your new Browning!

-Mk.IV
 
On the other hand...

I consider having an extra recoil spring as part of my "kit". As Mark says, you should have a firing pin recoil spring to match.

General PM replaces the recoil spring every so often. Mark says 2000 rounds, that sounds good. I don't remember what the military manual said about it. At any rate, it's better to replace a good one than have a marginal one give out on you.
 
You can get recoil springs from Wolf.

www.gunsprings.com. They sell them as a package with a firing pin spring. They also sell a sort of variety pack, different ratings so you can find what`s best.

The 9mm BHP uses a 17 lb. The .40 uses a 20 Lb. Don`t use anything lighter unless you`re using light loads. That causes undue wear on the gun. Some recommend an 18 1/2 lb. in the 9. I use a 17 and haven`t had any problems.
 
I normally replace the factory spring with one that is the next step heavier. I don't use loads that are less than standard service, and occasionally I use +P.

Springs are not expensive, and I use a "matching" firing pin spring.

BTW, I only own Browning design cenerfire pistols.
 
I need to respring my Witness 10mm.

It, too, tosses brass an incredible distance, and I'm using some wimpy factory loads right now.
 
my east german makarov throws brass(steel) 15-20 feet.i saposse i could install a stouter spring but heh its 100 percent reliable so why mess with sucess.
 
My arms are all reliable with the original factory springs. (S&Ws, HKs, a Colt & a Glock.)
I heard from a lot of M1911 users that their recoil springs were no good.

Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona

P.S. Have you changed the springs in your car's engine & suspension lately?
 
Only after years of hard use did I replace the recoil springs on my 1911... with a factory-spec new on.

Every few years a new mainspring is a very good idea, too. Don't get fancy, stick to the originally-designed specs, and you'll do great!

--L.P.
 
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