On your 1911 how often do you change your recoil spring

A Wilson Combat flatwire recoil spring (FWRS) with the FLGR & plug sized for the smaller ID flatwire recoil spring, has an average service life of up to 40,000 rounds, or up to ten times greater than conventional coil springs. Shooting +P ammunition with this setup is not a problem since flat wire springs don’t lose their length over time like round wire springs. There is evidence that the FWRS setup cushions the 1911 frame more effectively over time. Flat wire springs also tend to compress in a more linear fashion which makes them more tolerant of a wider variety of ammo loads and grip tecniques.

I can attest to all of this, I have a 13lb. FWRS with the full length guiderod & plug, in my STI Trojan 9mm 1911, the gun shoots every type of ammo I have tried beautifully. The gun locks back on empty for every magazine I have for it.
 
3-inch 1911s never have just an $8 recoil spring -- they have a "recoil assembly" that typically consists of two springs, some sort of telescoping sleeve gizmo, and a skinny recoil spring guide all nicely put together. Some of them are user-serviceable, others are strictly replace-only. The replacements run between $25 and $35, and the rated life span is generally around 500 to 800 rounds.

The short pistols are very different from the full-size models in this regard.
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No, and that's true... and one of the reasons why I don't own a 3" 1911. Again, at $25-35, it just cheap insurance against beating a pistol to death.... the cost of doing business.

The gun locks back on empty for every magazine I have for it.
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...and that has what to do with the recoil spring?
 
Aguila Blanca
My 3" 1911 did start out with a daul spring assembly, I changed it to the EGW assembly . The assembly uses a solid steel FLGR a single flat wire spring an a reverse plug . A very nice setup. The Colt assembly fine but was very flimsy. I have spare assembly's springs an e clips from Colt . I have a spare flat spring from EGW. I guess I'm covered on recoil problems for awhile .When I asked Colt Customer service the told me the springs were good for 7000 . As I did some reading is where the count changed . The Colt guide rod assembly looked like a nail that went through the stop plate an held in place with a e clip. Gun is solid but that assembly should have been made stronger.
 
cw308 said:
The Colt guide rod assembly looked like a nail that went through the stop plate an held in place with a e clip. Gun is solid but that assembly should have been made stronger.
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That type of "encapsulated" recoil assembly was created by Louis Seecamp, the designer of the popular little Seecamp .32 pocket pistols and also the designer behind the Seecamp double action 1911 conversions, several decades ago. The same basic mechanism has been used by multiple manufacturers in tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of pistols with very few problems. Why should it have been made stronger (and, thereby, heavier and more expensive) when it's clearly strong enough to do the job?
 
Colt did have problems with the assembly . Weight wouldn't be that much of difference an if I am willing to pay the difference now on a aftermarket part , I wasn't able to see the assembly before I bought the gun . when I cleaned it for the first time , I was disappointed on how flimsy such an important part of the firearm was . That's the only reason I changed , only shooting the gun will see if I made the right decision .
 
I just re-read your opening post. I reload .45 ACP with Winchester 231. If you're loading a 230-grain bullet over 4.6 grains of 231, I'm surprised your pistol will even function with a standard recoil assembly -- or spring. You're NEVER have to worry about "frame battering" with that load.
 
Not an unreasonable load. I load 4.8 grains of 231 over a 200 gr. SWC. Accurate and does what it needs to do. My S&W 1911 has the original spring and I have shot it about 400 rounds/month for about 10 years. I'll change the spring when the gun doesn't work well.
 
I was looking for a mild load , the starting load with a 230 FMJ using W231 is 5.2 I started at 4.4 five rounds each test, raised a tenth each test 4.4 to low to operate slide 100% of the time , 4.5 was good. Went up to 4.6 just to make sure . 700 round count 100% with both Colt & EGW recoil assemblies. Thanks for getting back.

Chris
 
I'd be interested to know what velocity you're getting. I load Berry's 230-grain plated bullets over 5.3 grains of 231 and I'm only getting 750 to 775 feet-per-second. The charts say I should be well over 800 fps, but the Berry's bullets are a bit shorter than most FMJ projectiles.
 
I have a series 80 Gold Cup that, at this point, has in excess of 70,000 rounds through it. All of those have been handloads for target shooting. 4.2 grains of Bullseye powder and a variety of bullets from 200 gr. LSWCs to 185 JHP to 168 grain LSWCs.
I change the springs in order to maintain reliability. If a spring works, it stays in the gun.
Most of the time, the spring is a 14lb Wolff.
Pete
 
I'm shooting Rainier Plated & Precisiondelta FMJ both are 230 grain RN . I don't own a chronograph to know how fast there moving but with this 3" gun I'm only shooting 21' maximum range . I shoot at a indoor range in the winter months, I never saw a chronograph set up there , they may not allow it . Next time I'm there l will ask . I shoot benchrest 308 at an outdoor range , I shoot through one one of my friends own , even 308 I load on the low side , my rounds were running 2485 the norm is around 2600. I shooting 1/2" groups an better at 200 yards using 40.8 gr. IMR4064 with a Sierra 168Mk. I always start low when reloading , an when I reach a load that shoots accurately at a set distance I don't go any higher. Would like to be able to shoot open field different distances , nothing like that on LI NY. I still enjoy shooting , my targets better when set close to the muzzle. Nice Talking to you guys.

Chris

PS
l never shot lead , is there a round nose bullet I could try ?
 
Annually (8-10,000 Rounds) and I feel a heck of a difference racking the slide when I put the new spring in initially.
 
If a recoil spring in a 1911 returns the slide to position after picking up a round from the magazine, there is nothing wrong with it.
 
[QUOTEI'd be interested to know what velocity you're getting. I load Berry's 230-grain plated bullets over 5.3 grains of 231 and I'm only getting 750 to 775 feet-per-second. The charts say I should be well over 800 fps, but the Berry's bullets are a bit shorter than most FMJ projectiles.
Today 12:25 AM][/QUOTE]

I'm getting a little over 800 fps with a low SD. Bayou coated 200 swc and 231. 5" S&W 1911.
 
As soon as my magazine springs need replacing or when I being to get light hammer strikes. At that point, I change all the springs. I do not simply replace 1 spring in a kit.
 
Northof50
Haven't shot my 1911 that much 700 round count , how long do your springs last ? What springs are you replacing ? The mag , hammer , firing pin & recoil ?

Chris
 
42 year old Combat Commander, countless rounds thru it, just did first recoil spring change last year.
(Probably needed it a while ago...)
Haven't changed any other springs yet.
 
Aguila Blanca
I can't thank you enough . Taking the time to send such great reading , I have it saved . Hopefully I can return the favor. Thanks Pal

Chris
 
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