Question for 1911Tuner

[freedomlover]

Greetings in the name of our patron saint, John Moses Browning! I've thoroughly enjoyed your "Springfield Test" thread, so much in fact, that I'm now planning on purchasing my very own Springfield Mil-Spec.

Now here's my question: I've always installed Wilson Shok-Buffs in my 1911's along with standard weight (16#) recoil springs. I haven't noticed any mention of recoil buffers of any kind in your posts, and conclude that you may not approve of their use. Am I correct?

OK, one more question while I'm at it. Do recoil buffers affect the recoil spring tension by a significant amount? I notice you like reduced power recoil springs in the 14# range. Been thinking of trying that spring weight myself...

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Tuner; I've learned quite a bit from you!

Regards,
A devoted student of the 1911

 

[MAXM]

I'm not 1911Tuner, but from what I've read, a thick SB should increment the recoil spring weight of about .5 lbs, not more.
Tuner will be much more useful than me, of course.
Regards, MAXM

 

[stans]

I'm not Tuner either, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express, and if the couple next door would settle down a bit, I could get some sleep! But that is another story for another time on another board!

The shock buffer does take up space on the guide rod. It does shorten the travel distance available for the slide, this is why they are not recommended for Commander models or smaller 1911's, they already have shorter travel distances than the Government model. They will, ever so slightly, increase the effective weight of the recoil spring, but not enough to be noticed. I once tried a 17 pound IMSA recoil spring and found it went into full coil bind with a shock buffer on a Government model, so this is something to check.

With factory loaded 9mm, 38 Super, and 45 ACP, shock buffers are not necessary. They may prolong the life of an aluminum frame and I do like them a lot in Government models chambered in 10mm.

Hmm.. looks like I beat Tuner to this one!

 

[1911Tuner]

re:

Dang! stans beat me to it...this time!

My associates have pretty well nailed it spot on. The only thing that
I would add is that some pistols will run with a buffer...and some won't.
Most 5-inch guns will do okay. If the gun is going to see heavy range use...and the buffer doesn't cause any functional issues, go ahead and
use it. An occasional hiccup on the range is a minor inconvenience, and
has the benefit of giving you the opportunity to practice malfunction drills.
I don't recommend a buffer in a carry gun though. No sense in handin'
Murphy an engraved invitation.

stans...I'm gettin' up earlier tomorrow.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[shep854]

In the YMMV category, I've had a Shok-Buff in my Commander for years, with nary a bobble, shooting all types of loads. Just because, I also put one in my AO 1911.

 

[1911Tuner]

Mileage

Shep say:

In the YMMV category, I've had a Shok-Buff in my Commander for years, with nary a bobble, shooting all types of loads. Just because, I also put one in my AO 1911.

Yep shep< <-------------

Nothin's absolute. Each one is a law unto itself. I've got two
virtually identical Colts...right down to the grip panels. Both
are boringly reliable. Put a buffer in'em, and one won't know the
difference. The other goes into spasms...and nobody seems to know
why except the gun.


Just curious...Do ya carry either one with the buff in place?

 

[DoubleAction]

I'm new to this forum, but I'm already feeling good about reading some of the threads. On the topic regarding the shok buffers; I'm looking for an opinion regarding Cominolli's Frame Saver Rod on the shorter length Officer's Model, using the reversed recoil spring plug, and the single 22 lb. Wolff Spring. Can I expect an improvement over the factory recoil spring setup?

 

[1911Tuner]

Frame Saver

Howdy DoubleAction. Welcome to The High Road, and good to have ya.

The drawback of any shock buffer set-up is the loss of slide travel
on the recoil stroke, and the timing phase of the slide during that cycle.
The 5-inch guns have enough slide travel that they can usually afford to lose a little and remain functional. As the slides get shorter, the slide travel
gets shorter, and the shorter the slide, the greater the loss.

The Officer's Models have precious little travel as it is, and can't afford to lose any more. Even Commanders, with only 3/4ths of an inch shorter slides than the Government Models can't afford to give up very much,
if any. The loss in the Officer's Model is even more than the Commander,
which puts it right on the peg.

I wouldn't bet a whole lot of money on that system being compatible with
an Officer's Model.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[DoubleAction]

Thanks Tuner; I have also noticed that Bill Wilson, being an advocate of the shok buffs, do not recommend them in the 4" barrel lengths of his own Wilson pistols. I often wonder, with the 3 1/2" Officer's short recoil, how the much shorter 3" "Ultra Compact" pistols get away with so much in the .45 acp.