officer recoil springs.

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iblong

New member
Officer acp dual recoil springs.

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Mornning guys/Gals need some input please.
This weekend I was getting my Colt mark IV 80 series officer ready for fall carry,I shot 100 flawless standard preasure loads through it ran perfect.
I then ran some warm loads 6.3gr unique -xtp 230gr 1.230 they run an average of 860 fps out of the officer and about 920 out of the Gov.model,recoil seems to be to brisk for the single 22lb wolf springs failure to feeds,failures to bat.ect.put the old dual spring back in and flawless again.If I go back to standard loads it worked fine with the Wolf 22lb.I have mabe 4-500 runds on this spring,I cant seem to locate dual springs for it.
The heaviest spring I can find is a 24lb.Will the 2lb spring make much of a difference.These failures are a bit unsettling as Ive never had any issues with this pistol in the three years its been carried.
Thanks,Bob.
 
I too have a Colt Officers acp currently running a single recoil spring by IMSI; this may help with your problems.

You note that you only have 400-500 rounds on this spring. Read what Wilson Combat says about their opinion on Officers recoil replacement schedule:
"and the recoil spring should be replaced approximately every 300 rounds."
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Full-Length-Guide-Rod-Officers/productinfo/25CO/

I went to an IMSI flat wire spring in my Officers, and have many rounds through it without any problems; I also have a spare new IMSI(http://www.ismi-gunsprings.com/) and a dual spring set up as backups if needed.

Going to IMSI's website and reading up on springs and specifically Officers recoil spring set up includes:
"On average, available music wire recoil spring lose almost an average of 33% of their free length from new - just compressing it by hand for 30 seconds. A leading supplier of 1911 components recommends that the recoil spring be changed every 300 rounds."

And then regarding the IMSI springs:
"The result: a spring with a significant increase in durability and consistency. How much of an increase? ISMI offers their Officers Recoil Control System with a lifetime warranty on all components - including failure due to wear."

As far as the weight, my IMSI is 22 lbs. I have had zero failures(so far so good!) using this spring including different factory ammo and I reload; although in all fairness, my Officers has been "worked on" by two different reputable smiths both for reliability and accuracy.

Good luck! Mixing reloading, "older" springs in a higher strung version of the 1911 (shorter slide Officers) can be challenging!
 
I went to an IMSI flat wire spring in my Officers, and have many rounds through it without any problems; I also have a spare new IMSI(http://www.ismi-gunsprings.com/) and a dual spring set up as backups if needed.
Click to expand...

A question about this: did you install the complete IMSI assembly?
If you did, does the reverse plug have a key as well as the collar to keep it from turning?

Not to hijack this thread but I also suspect the recoil spring. Life on the short models is dismal, to say the least.
 
A question about this: did you install the complete IMSI assembly?
Click to expand...

No, I already had a King's installed years ago. Last time that I checked they were "between owners" and one could not get replacement dual springs from them; this was a while back, they may be up and running by this point again, Kings Gun Works in California.

If I were in the market for an Officers recoil spring set up, I personally would give the IMSI a try; what can you lose, it is all (read: spring included) guaranteed for life.
Note: at one point I read on their site that they recommend spring replacement yearly and then they guarantee an Officers spring for life. All I know is that so far my IMSI spring is performing just like new, for many rounds, with zero malfunctions; and just in case, like I said before, I do have a spare.

I would also consider EGW, they use the IMSI spring in their set up also.
 
AZAK, am I right in understanding that you're running the IMSI spring in your OM using the King's OM bushing/guide rod kit?

I have a OM similarly modified and I need some springs. The old King's company has not yet managed to find a buyer for the parts business, and nobody seems to know who was contracted to make their dual springs.

I've been told that people have reported mixed results trying to use a Wolff 24lbs spring in the OM's modified to use the King's OM kit.

fb
 
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fastbolt

AZAK, am I right in understanding that you're running the IMSI spring in your OM using the King's OM bushing/guide rod kit?
Click to expand...

Yes, I installed the IMSI 22 lbs spring on a King's guide rod/bushing set up in my Officer's ACP.

Pull trigger, bang, flying brass... repeat until empty. No failures. No buffer installed. No problems internally that I can make out, just running like clockwork. (Works for me, and I count my blessings!)

I personally do not shoot hot loads out of this pistol. No factory +p. No "upper end" reloads. Given the shortened slide I do not want to "invite" problems; my Officer's is quite happy with its current diet and I see no reason to "push this particular envelope". (My Officer's is reliable and accurate, what more could I ask for?)

If I want something more "impressive" out of one of my 1911s, I will shoot my Delta Elite with loads like Norma intended.
 
Thanks.

I spoke with someone at IMSI and was told that there were apparently some variations in some of the King's guide rods, and to make sure my guide rod was 1/4" or less in diameter, or else their spring might not slip onto the rod.

I used to use the 22 lb dual springs in my stainless OM instead of the heavier 24 lb set, so hopefully the 22 lb IMSI spring will offer the same functioning (and I can eliminate the 10mm buffer that was provided with the original dual springs).

I don't often use my stainless OM much nowadays, but it bothers me to be unable to replace the King's springs and I'd like to figure out a suitable replacement.

A friend has a similar stainless OM equipped with a King's bushing kit. He shoots his more than I do mine. He's ran more than 20,000 rounds through it since we originally had it (and mine) "refined" by a former armorer who builds nice 1911's, HP's and an occasional .38 comp revolver. Once he found the right mags that let the gun run well, he cracked a bushing at just over 10,000 rounds and we had to fit a new one. He's ran that many more rounds through it since then with satisfactory results.

Both of our OM's run well and feed most any JHP we use in them.

I also prefer to run standard pressure loads in my OM (and other small .45's).

Thanks again.
 
Colt Officers/Compact OEM Dual recoil springs

For those of you who want to keep their Colt original, I found these OEM recoil spring sets and have been running a set in my Colt Compact for several months. Link: www.ebay.com/itm/262705207710

I tried the Wolf single 22lb spring but it was binding.

I also ordered a set from Jack First but the springs were way long.

These springs tested at 22lb at .700 compression.:)
 
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AZAK said:
You note that you only have 400-500 rounds on this spring. Read what Wilson Combat says about their opinion on Officers recoil replacement schedule:
"and the recoil spring should be replaced approximately every 300 rounds."
Click to expand...
My first exposure to the Colt Officers ACP was on a visit to a friend in another state. While I was there we went to an indoor range. I brought whatever I had with me, he brought a full-size 1911 and a Mark IV Officers ACP, which he allowed me to try. Love at first shot.

But I digress.

This friend is a former gunsmith (turned IT professional). We've discussed recoil springs and the Officers ACP. He casually mentioned that his best estimate is that he has about 10,000 rounds through his Officers, and it's still on the original, dual recoil spring setup. He shoots exclusively his reloads, and he reloads hotter than I like.

I don't know what to believe, but I look with caution at anything from people who sell springs telling me that I need a new spring every time I go to the range.
 
I don't know what to believe, but I look with caution at anything from people who sell springs telling me that I need a new spring every time I go to the range. /QUOTE]

When I bought my Officer used it was approx. 10 yrs old Now its 20 yrs old I replaced the recoil spring last spring. Because I wanted to ,not because was needed . I have no idea how many rounds this pistol has fired . In its life time. I am not about to replace the spring every 300 rounds .That's for sure.
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