1911 Pistol Spring Replacement

[45shooter]

How often do you replace springs on your 1911 pistols?

Many years ago I was told by a local gun smith to...

Recoil spring - Replace every 3,000 rounds or minimum of once a year with Wolf 17 1/2 lb. variable rate spring.

Firing pin spring - Replace every 10,000 rounds or less with extra power spring.

Hammer/main spring - Replace every 10,000 rounds with 19 lb. reduced power spring.

Plunger tube spring - Replace every 10,000 rounds.

Magazine spring - Replace once a year when used for carry.

I have been following this schedule on all my 1911 Government model pistols for past 30+ years and always used Wolf springs. I do shoot some of my 1911 pistols quite a lot but I have never had any problems related to spring problems.

Am I over changing my springs?
What do you do?

 

[1911Tuner]

Springy Stuff

Hey SHooter,

I follow an easy-to-remember routine on my hard-use beaters. Many of my carry guns have been wearing the same springs for 2 or 3 years.

Recoil spring, every 2500 rounds

Firing pin spring, with every other recoil spring change.

Sear spring, with every other firing pin spring change.

Mainspring, with every other sear spring change.

Magazine springs only when last-round bolt-over-base or rideover feeds are noticed.

Plunger spring, almost never...only if I start to get premature slidelock
with a gun that normally doesn't do that particular malfunction.

23 pound mainsprings only. 16-pound recoil springs. Stock Colt sear springs.
Wolff springs...even though ISMI last longer. Wolffs are more consistent with less variation to advertised load rating. Wolff magazine springs will generally last for years, even with hard use. I've never had one to weaken to the point of causing problems...and I shoot a lot.

 

[Zach S]

Since wolff recoil springs come with a firing pin spring, I change them at the same time. Generally somewhere between 1500 and 2000 rounds (they also get detail stripped and cleaned at this time). My 3.5" and 4" guns normally get changed around the 500 round mark.

Sear spring and mainspring are also changed at the same time. Generally a year, year and a half, regardless of round count.

16 lb recoil springs for my 5" guns and 22 pound for the 3.5" and 4", 23 pound mainsprings for both.

IMO, I change them too often. But its easier for me to replace them too soon than keep up with how many rounds I have through various 1911s. Springs are cheap. Realizing a spring needs changed at the wrong moment can be pricey.

Magsprings? Never changed them for my single-stacks, I only use seven round magazines. I do keep a few extra magsprings for my officer's frame pistols, havent needed them yet.

My Para mags got replacement springs at some point, now I download by one and havent had to replace them. They get used in my polymer Kimber that's pretty much a range gun.

I found a Randall mag in my toolbox that has sat loaded for years - it still feeds great (ball ammo only though - feed lips are too long for JHPs).

If I ever start keeping a closer round count, rather than going by my guesstimations, I'll have to remember Tuner's routine.

 

[45shooter]

Thanks guys.
I think I'll keep with Wolf spring and keep to my current regiment since it has worked all these years.