1911 Recoil Spring Question

[xXxplosive]

What weight recoil springs for Gov't. Model and Combat Commander model would you suggest for standard .45 Cal FMJ. I went ahead and bought a Wolff 18.5# for the Govt, and a 20# for the Commander....wondering now if they're OK. Appreciate your help and advice...........

 

[rbernie]

They're fine. Stock for the Gov't Model is 16lb/in but many folk (including myself) run an 18.5 lb/in spring.

 

[rcmodel]

I've been to the 18.5 well and back again.

Both my guns run better with any loads with the stock springs.

I'm thinking old John Browning had it right in the first place.

rc

 

[xXxplosive]

What about the Com. Commander..........What do ya think
20# is OK for FMJ .45 Cal ?

 

[rcmodel]

Commander factory spring is 18 pound, and the gun is designed & intended to work with 230 grain GI hardball.

If it works with a 20, it would be O.K. too if you like it.

rc

 

[crossrhodes]

? for rcmodeler

What is your opinion of an over sized firing pin stop to increase the mechanical dwell with factory springs. From what I read J.B. had it change so the horse solder could rack the slide, which posed a problem with the original design. I've used the 18.5 spring with a 25lb hammer spring and over sized firing pin stop for shooting +P loads, but I had to change them back to cycle factory 230 gr.

I used to be Havoc 7USMC but change it because I was off the net for a long time and forgot a lot of my log on stuff. Always enjoyed your comments.

Guns - out

 

[Oro]

I'm thinking old John Browning had it right in the first place.

1911Tuner said the original spec Gov't. spring was like 13.8 lbs or something (that number sticks in my head). Don't know myself; been meaning to find out more about this and the progression of rate applications.

 

[45Badger]

I think the 18.5# (and more) springs were a very smart marketer's answer in search of a problem. Changing the spring weight changes other components of slide travel (speed and timing), that in turn can effect feeding and ejection/extraction.

I've used most weights above 16#s and have settled on sticking with the the 16# springs. All my 1911s run like sewing machines with this set up and ball ammo.

Lower weight springs are often needed to compensate for "powder-puff", lightweight, slow target loads. Those loads may not have the "oomph" to fully cycle the slide, or do it so slowly that it screws up the feeding/extracting/ejecting cycle.

 

[BigG]

16 lb is standard and works for me.

 

[Noveldoc]

Stronger spring can soften recoil a bit but also slams slide back into battery. That can't be good for the gun.

Tom

 

[xXxplosive]

I went ahead and ordered a 16# for my Gov't Model and an 18# for my Combat Commander after reading all your posts....Guess we'll see which one's work better........I appreciate all the informative feedback. Thanks Again.