Just ordered a Wolff XP recoil spring for my 4" Kimber Pro Carry. Can anyone offer hints on the most efficient and safe way to accomplish this spring change. I just downloaded the manual from Kimber but I find it doesn't always go as smooth as the manual makes it sound. All suggestions welcomed.
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Kimber Pro Carry Recoil Spring
- Thread starter 45Gunner
- Start date
riggins_83
New member
Take down the gun as you normally would then while applying pressure to the guide rod bushing remove your capture tool (a paper clip will work fine if you don't have the Kimber tool) and slowly remove the rod bushing. Be cautious, if that spring gets away will go flying!
Put the barrel back into the slide, then place the guide rod with the new spring atop it. Hold the frame against yourself (or in a vice that won't scratch) and depress the guide rod and spring towards the front of the frame until the capture tool hole is visible. Place the capture tool into the hole and bingo, work is done! Can then reassemble normally.
Be cautious on the second step.. if you loose your grip it will go flying fast!
This is how I've always changed the springs on my Kimber Officer and Commander models... about the easiest and safest method I've found.
Put the barrel back into the slide, then place the guide rod with the new spring atop it. Hold the frame against yourself (or in a vice that won't scratch) and depress the guide rod and spring towards the front of the frame until the capture tool hole is visible. Place the capture tool into the hole and bingo, work is done! Can then reassemble normally.
Be cautious on the second step.. if you loose your grip it will go flying fast!
This is how I've always changed the springs on my Kimber Officer and Commander models... about the easiest and safest method I've found.
Thank you. Your information is appreciated. I find the first time doing something to be a challenge in not losing or breaking something. I have little mechanical ability and even less patience.
Again, thanks for the tips. I took the Kimber apart today via normal techniques. After removing the guide rod assembly, I took a drafting guide which is a template with different sized holes...the 1/2 inch hole worked perfectly as advertised. It gave me the mechanical leverage I needed. I was able to change the spring for another I had. This was great practice so when the new Wolff spring arrives, I will have the procedure down pat and won't worry about screwing up a new spring. Cowabunga Dude. I never cease to amaze myself.
Again, thanks for the tips. I took the Kimber apart today via normal techniques. After removing the guide rod assembly, I took a drafting guide which is a template with different sized holes...the 1/2 inch hole worked perfectly as advertised. It gave me the mechanical leverage I needed. I was able to change the spring for another I had. This was great practice so when the new Wolff spring arrives, I will have the procedure down pat and won't worry about screwing up a new spring. Cowabunga Dude. I never cease to amaze myself.
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getting the firing pin changed gives me more "trouble" ...having to push that damned firing pin block safety down while pressing the firing pin into the pin stop enough to pull the pin stop from the slide, to get the firing pin out.
i only got TWO hands KIMBER!, and they dont work as well as they used too!
i say it in love--- i carry a pro carry II 4" as my main weapon
i say all that because your Wolff spring kit should come with a new firing pin spring as well.
i only got TWO hands KIMBER!, and they dont work as well as they used too!
i say it in love--- i carry a pro carry II 4" as my main weapon
i say all that because your Wolff spring kit should come with a new firing pin spring as well.
I didn't bother with the firing pin spring because I am a firm believer in, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, one would never know that by having a spring tune up done on my Kimber.
Got to tell you that I installed the new recoil spring from Wolff and the gun has never performed as nicely and the groupings are smaller and closer together. The first round of 8 were so tight that I had a difficult time determining if all 8 rounds hit in the same spot...I should have taken a picture. The gun came to life in my hands and performed better than when it was brand new and I always liked the way it felt. The only way I can describe it is akin to sleeping on a mattress for years and years, not realizing that the mattress has worn out until you get on a brand new mattress. Get the picture?
Thanks to all you guys that helped me out with instructions and recommendations.
I was at the Wolff website today and ordered recoil springs for all my 1911's. If I can improve the accuracy and performance the way the Kimber did, I will be one very happy camper.
Got to tell you that I installed the new recoil spring from Wolff and the gun has never performed as nicely and the groupings are smaller and closer together. The first round of 8 were so tight that I had a difficult time determining if all 8 rounds hit in the same spot...I should have taken a picture. The gun came to life in my hands and performed better than when it was brand new and I always liked the way it felt. The only way I can describe it is akin to sleeping on a mattress for years and years, not realizing that the mattress has worn out until you get on a brand new mattress. Get the picture?
Thanks to all you guys that helped me out with instructions and recommendations.
I was at the Wolff website today and ordered recoil springs for all my 1911's. If I can improve the accuracy and performance the way the Kimber did, I will be one very happy camper.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Please explain to me how changing a recoil spring can possibly effect accuracy?
the length of the spring has does not change the spring rate (in cases of 1/4 -1/2in) spring rate is determined because the wire diameter and spring diameter can make up for that, if i remember correctly the wolff springs are of increased wire diameter.
There are 3 things that affect the spring rate:
1. Diameter of the wire: Diameter of the wire itself affects the spring rate because when diameter of the wire increases it gets stronger, meaning a wire which is harder to compress. So, if we know that a wire becomes harder when its diameter increases, we can say that:
When wire diameter increases, spring rate increases.
2. Diameter of the spring: That is in fact 'the mean diameter of the spring', achieved by subtracting the diameter of the wire from diameter of the spring:
The overall outside diameter of the spring (mm) - diameter of the wire (mm)
When diameter of the suspension spring increases, the spring rate decreases.
3. Number of Active Coils (length / height of the coil spring): Determination of the active coil number varies according to spring design. Total coil number -2 for springs with both ends closed. Count the total coils -1 for springs with one end closed and one end open.
As the number of active coil decrease, the spring rate increases.
EDIT- but than you might have gotten the wrong spring BUT most 3" 1911 have the dual spring setup (correct me if im wrong but the 3" kimber does have the two piece recoil spring deal)
and as far as better accuracy... having a new recoil spring can increase accuracy in as much that: control of the weapon during recoil will be better and getting the weapon back to ready will be faster will increase YOUR accuracy, not so much the pistols accuracy
There are 3 things that affect the spring rate:
1. Diameter of the wire: Diameter of the wire itself affects the spring rate because when diameter of the wire increases it gets stronger, meaning a wire which is harder to compress. So, if we know that a wire becomes harder when its diameter increases, we can say that:
When wire diameter increases, spring rate increases.
2. Diameter of the spring: That is in fact 'the mean diameter of the spring', achieved by subtracting the diameter of the wire from diameter of the spring:
The overall outside diameter of the spring (mm) - diameter of the wire (mm)
When diameter of the suspension spring increases, the spring rate decreases.
3. Number of Active Coils (length / height of the coil spring): Determination of the active coil number varies according to spring design. Total coil number -2 for springs with both ends closed. Count the total coils -1 for springs with one end closed and one end open.
As the number of active coil decrease, the spring rate increases.
EDIT- but than you might have gotten the wrong spring BUT most 3" 1911 have the dual spring setup (correct me if im wrong but the 3" kimber does have the two piece recoil spring deal)
and as far as better accuracy... having a new recoil spring can increase accuracy in as much that: control of the weapon during recoil will be better and getting the weapon back to ready will be faster will increase YOUR accuracy, not so much the pistols accuracy
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