1911 Government recoil spring.

[DasFriek]

In another section it was mentioned i was beating my frame and slide up by using a Wilson 22lb recoil spring.
The gun functions perfectly and loves the spring weight as do i as the gun stays flat and follow up shots are almost instantaneous.

What brought this on was me inquiring about a smith to tighten my frame to slide fit as i found i can wiggle the slide a tad now after 2000 rounds.

Ignore the comments or go shopping for another 18.5lb spring?

 

[m700m]

I, use an 22lb spring in my combat commander, (230gr+)Colt, slide and frame are still tight as when new,(700rd ct). Follow up shots are quick.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Twenty-two lbs.? What are you shooting in it, .45 Super? The standard for a .45 Gov't Model is 16 or 17 lbs., IIRC. Far from beating up your frame, I would think cycling would be slowed down.

 

[BHP FAN]

Who was that masked man?! Well, anyway he's right.I'm useing an 18lb Wolff Spring, and it's juuusst right. You're not beating up your frame.

 

[DasFriek]

I shoot only factory 230gr loads and some +P SD loads when practicing and testing CCW ammo. It actually cycles very fast believe it or not.
Im in the process of putting a new fire control group in the gun, But the old pull was about 3lbs. In saying that it would cycle fast enough to get recoil induced double taps when i was too slow on the trigger.

I appreciate the comments so far and ill keep the 22lb until i hear a convincing argument otherwise.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

18 lbs. is plenty of spring in a full size 1911...20 lbs. at most would be what I'd use and then only if I had to so it would run.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I have found that a heavier spring (22.5 lbs.) actually reduced recoil while improving followup shots and relaibility. I put it in my 1911 when the kids were too young to teach them gun safety to make darn sure they couldn't rack the slide. I have never had a malfunction with any factory ammo.

 

[DasFriek]

But if the gun runs great with the 22lb spring do you think i should swap down too 18.5lb?
I understand its a very heavy spring, And i didn't even think it would work myself.

I came about it as i was at a gun shop with an indoor range and i was due for a new spring. They sold me a 18lb spring but i knew something was wrong when it was about 1" shorter than the stock one.
I took it back once i figured out it was a Commander spring.
They only had Gov springs in 16lb and 22lb and they told me to try the 22lb as it wouldn't hurt anything if it functioned correctly. Well it worked great and the gun handled completely different and i loved it.
Function wise id feel id be throwing away a perfectly good spring if i replaced it.
But if its damaging the gun id surely dump it asap.

I think next chance i get ill pick up a Wolff 18.5lb and just see how it reacts in the gun.

 

[DasFriek]

I have found that a heavier spring (22.5 lbs.) actually reduced recoil while improving followup shots and relaibility. I put it in my 1911 when the kids were too young to teach them gun safety to make darn sure they couldn't rack the slide. I have never had a malfunction with any factory ammo.

Same here, But i was told i was battering my frame and slide with such hard slams of the slide closing. Imo the gun has never shot so flat as it does now and makes the gun even more fun to practice with.
I have read reports of the heavy spring beating up the extractor as it will pick the round up so fast it doesn't have time to slide under the extractor and then it just pops over the rim. But i have a HD Wilson extractor that shows no signs of wear or peening.

 

[Robert101]

Well I hate to muddy the water, but my Springfiled Armory Loaded (government model) takes a factory rated 16.5 lb spring. I shoot full house reloads and there is no evidence of frame contact. I personally would not shoot a heavier spring than an 18 lb. unless the poundage of the main spring, and recoil spring were taken into consideration. Just my opinion for 45 automatic. Now 45 Super is a different story.

 

[DasFriek]

If your gun is working correctly it has had frame contact or it wouldn't cycle the rounds correctly. Ive read that people who use those thin little recoil buffer pads having issues with them as they wont allow the slide to fully cycle.

Just for the record my gun will work fine with 16lb,18lb and 22lb springs. Ive just found i prefer the 22lb as the gun shoots flatter and possibly could reduce recoil.

This topic came up in another thread as i noticed my slide has a slight wiggle to it which wasnt there 2000 rounds ago when it was new.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

most gov't size 1911's come with 16lb springs. SA's, colt's, and s&w's do.

a few do come with 18lbs, like para's. check with your manufacturer.

22lb springs do not beat up the frame, but might cause malfunctions with low power loads.

 

[TIMC]

I am running a 13lb Wolff spring in my loaded Springfield but then I am also using a Clark custom match barrel and muzzle brake. She has very little recoil and is super accurate.

 

[DasFriek]

Nope, No malfunctions yet.
Mine came with a 16lb from the factory tho.

 

[possum]

But i was told i was battering my frame and slide with such hard slams of the slide closing.

i think you will be fine, and if not, i wouldn't be getting a new/ different recoil spring i would be finding a new gun that could take it!