The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: billt on May 04, 2010, 10:43:29 AM
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Some time back I purchased A Wolff recoil spring "kit" for my Colt Gold Cup. It comes with a total of 5 recoil springs, and 3 firing pin springs. My intention was to put a stronger spring into my Gold Cup so it wouldn't beat the crap out of itself when I shot hardball through it. The recoil springs are a "standard" 16, 18 1/2, 20, 22, and a 24 pound weight. The 3 firing pin springs are "extra power" type. They're still unopened in the package, and I never messed with them. Now that I purchased this Kimber my interest in 1911's is somewhat rekindled.
What spring weight gives the most reliable performance with stoutly loaded hardball, or the +P+ self defense ammo? All the "instructions" say is, "Start with the highest load rating and work down until the desired slide operation is obtained." What weight recoil springs do you guys run in your 1911's? I've shot hardball in my Gold Cup with the standard spring with no ill effects, but it's probably not the best idea. From now on I'll shoot the hot stuff in my new Kimber, and leave the light loaded target loads for the Gold Cup. Will the hot loaded self defense ammo run a 24 pound spring, or should I start lighter? I'm hoping to learn here from others who have experimented a little more than me. The fewer times I have to take the gun apart and change springs at the range, the better.
They also talk of the springs possibly requiring "fitting"? I'm assuming they mean cutting them to length to fit, but that would change the power and weight of the spring itself?? Ideas? Bill T.
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Mine is a 18 lb. but its a Gov 5 inch you really have to shoot a few to tune it in. Key is the slide works without any FTFs or stove pipes.
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The only time I have ever had problems with cycling problems with my 1911's was with reloads. I was using 5 gr. of Accurate #5 pushing a 230gr RNL bullet (my old target loads). It was a mild loading and it sometimes failed to cycle reliably with heavier springs.
For the most part, I've never had problems (spring related) with factory rounds and I have generally used 20 or 22 pound springs in my 1911's. I ran a 24 pound spring for a while, but couldn't tell any difference.
That being said, YMMV, of course.
8)
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I use an 18.5# variable rate spring. A 20 or 22# would probably work as well for everything except light target loads. The 16.5# variable rate would be the same as a standard 16 pounder. I would try one of the heaviest springs and see how it works.
P.S. When I bought a Para widebody kit 20 years ago it came with an 18# spring and said not to use anything lighter.
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For a .45 acp, SD or Duty pistol, I use 19 or 20lb, that extra punch works to give hollow points that little extra, to jump the ledge into the throat of the chamber, But the resistance of the slide on recocking the hammer, is part of the equation as well, as the slide moves rear ward, it must recock the hammer, against the hammer spring, ( I don't recommend lightening the mainspring ) unless your going full game, and will not use that pistol for SD or Duty. But you can make this operation, less resistant, rounding the firing pin retainer and slide on the bottom helps, plus polishing the hammer face where the slide and hammer come together, and watch for the slide overcocking the hammer, too much movement, beats the hammer hooks to death, sometimes removal of metal from the hammer face at just the right spot, makes the resistance much lighter, and you can feel it when operating the slide.
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What are you shooting that's .45 ACP & +p+ because i want some?!?!?!??! ;D
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What are you shooting that's .45 ACP & +p+ because i want some?!?!?!??! ;D
I was wondering about that too. Wouldn't that be like .45 Super?
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I'm just refering to hot loaded personal defense ammo. Bill T.
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The only one I can say for sure is my Rock Island Armory 1911, and it's a Wolff 18 pounder. The others, I have no idea.
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I'll start off with the strongest one, (24 Pounds), and go from there. Bill T.
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here is the deal with springs, it was never speced for weight, only X diamention wire with X number of turns.
which ends being in the 12-15 lb range.
If you start out with spring that is higher, you can just cut off about half a coil and try it again, that way you can fine tune it to your gun. as a plus you don't have to buy another srping.
I've never had a prob with the 13 or 14 lbs wolff(2 ffs) springs, about 10k rounds then I replace them. they are cheap.
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Even my Walther PPK/S has an 18lb, and I have a 22lb still in the bag...
My S&W 1911 Match is full size and was tweaked, when I was single and had money. It has a Wolff 18.5lb spring, and has yet to let me down with any ammo, even the notorious weak Wolf target ammo.
Although with a good polished feed ramp, I can agree with TAB, on a lighter spring. If it eats everything and is broken in, a lighter spring, but yet not too light, should work, but for a full size 1911 I prefer a slightly heavier spring due to length of slide.