[GreyAwakened]

Can you tell me if there are any downsides to changing the factory 23lbs to a reduced power one, other than theoretical light primer strikes?

I have read somewhere that the hammer & mainspring play some role in slowing down the slide movement in the recoil, and you shouldn't change the spring weight to risk harming your gun. Is this true?

[XavierBreath]

The hammer does indeed provide a "shock absorber" of sorts for the slide. The firing pin stop also plays a role, and a unbeveled firing pin stop can be beveled on the bottom at different angles to "tune" this shock absorbing capability.

Now........I use 18 pound mainsprings in my 1911s. I also use 18.5 variable rate Nowlin recoil springs. I have done this for a number of years. I have had no problems with frames cracking or peening, and no problems with light strikes. No failures to feed or eject. I mainly use non+P ammo, and put a lot of it downrange. I only shoot 1911s with forged frames and slides. I do not know if any of these are variables that merit consideration, but I suspect they are.

Your results may vary.

[HSMITH]

The mainspring does have an effect on slide speed. How light were you thinking of going?

[erh]

I never use any +P ammo, and have done this same trick for Many years... W/ o a "Hitch..!"

E! :D

[GreyAwakened]

HSMITH,

I have a Wolff set with 3 springs: 19, 20 and 21 lbs.

I have no need to go below the 19lbs one, but just would like to know of potential risks with reduced springs.

[1911Tuner]

Howdy Grey, and welcome abaord.

As with anything, one change affects the function in several areas. Nothing is everything, but everything is something. This applies especially when you start messing with spring rates. An old engineer's maxim states that: When one thing is changed, you have to alter two or three other things to compensate for it."

Reducing the mainspring's load rating will cause an increase in rearward slide velocity, and the attendant impact when it hits the frame. This, even though
the mainspring's effect is nearly over within a quarter-inch of slide travel.
You can compensate by using a heavier recoil spring, but that also causes a
change in the slide's operation. Dwell time at the end of rearward travel drops. Forward slide speed increases, as does impact between the lower barrel lug and slidestop pin. Faster forward also makes the magazine timing more critical.

You can offset the negative effects of the lighter mainspring by using a small radius on the bottom of the firing pin stop, but it may not cover you with a 19-pound mainspring. 21 pounds is about as low as I like to go, except on a
"Softball" gun...and 19 is the limit on those.

When you get below 19 pounds, you get into having to change trigger or fire control group mass. Lightened hammers, sears, titanium hammer struts, and ultra-light triggers in order to prevent inertial "bounce" and the attendant risk of damage to delicate sear engagement angles...if you've had a trigger job done that gets it into the 2.5-3-pound category...which is meat for another discussion.

So..Nothing is everything/everything is something, and one change calls for other changes. No such thing as a free lunch.

[GreyAwakened]

1911Tuner,

that sounds reasonable.

I have the 19lbs spring installed now, but I intend to shoot only target loads with it. Fast powder, and starting loads. For full-power loads, I will change it to 21lbs or 23lbs.