1911 Recoil Spring Question.

[Wolfman Zack]

I recently picked up a used Kimber Custom 2 1911.
I'm thinking I should replace the recoil spring since I don't know the round count, and was thinking about putting a stronger than stock spring in.
Was thinking of either a 17 or 18 pound spring, instead of the current 16 pound spring.

Is there any downside to doing this???
Should I go for the 17 or the 18???

Thanks.

(PS: I'll be shooting 230 grain ball, and standard 185 or 230 grain hollowpoints in this gun, and am using Wilson 47D magazines.)

 

[larryh1108]

The answer is why?
Do you have something in mind like higher velocity ammo?
Do you reload and wish to experiment?
Why change something the maker found to be ideal for the gun it built?
It can't be a cost thing because the cost is the same for different spring weights.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

It's my understanding that a slightly heavier spring will reduce wear and tear, as well as increase reliability with hollowpoint ammunition.

16 pound springs as standard go back to the original design, and was good for standard ball, but I'm not convinced it is the only or best choice.
If I was I'd assume Wilson wouldn't use heavier springs as standard in their guns.

I'm looking for imput though, so if you have used heavier springs and had failures to cycle, I'd be interested in that.
If you use 18's successfully even with light ammo, I'm interested in that too.

 

[L-2]

From Wolff's FAQ page,
"As a rule of thumb, if your spent casings are first hitting the ground in the 3 to 6 foot range, then the recoil spring is approximately correct. If you are ejecting beyond the 6-8 foot range, then a heavier recoil spring is generally required. If your casings are ejecting less than 3 feet, a lighter recoil spring may be needed to assure reliable functioning"

There's more to read here: https://www.gunsprings.com/index.php?page=FAQ#question3

The variables are several, which include the recoil spring, ammo, the firearm, and the shooter. There may be no discernible difference between a new 16, 17, or 18 pound recoil spring depending on these variables. I don't see a problem buying all three spring weights and start with a new 16 pound spring. It'd be good idea to also compare that new 16 pound spring to the existing spring for number of coils and overall length. That's assuming the existing spring is a stock 16 pound spring.

Merely saying a "heavier spring will reduce wear & tear" shooting "hollowpoint" ammo is likely over-simplifiying things and perhaps impossible to measure. All JHP ammo is also a generalization as there may be a factory +P JHP 230gr and a weak hand-loaded JHP.

I'm not consistent in what ammo I shoot and I've used 16, 17, & 18.5 pound recoil springs. I notice the heavier spring when locking back the slide manually. I notice the recoil spring when it begins to wear out at ~2500+ rounds. The spring gets shorter by ~2+ coils or 0.5+". My ejected cases will get noticeably dented around the case mouth and may even result in a stovepipe. Whether the casings are landing 3' or 8' is of little concern to me. If the casings are dribbling out ~1', I'm more worried about insufficient slide travel, which will result in some kind of malfunction for me.

 

[RX-79G]

Wolff is in the business of selling springs - the distance the casing lands has nothing to do with the functioning of guns in general.

Increasing spring weight doesn't remove energy from the system, it just puts more of it into how hard the slide closes and how fast the slide is moving when it tries to chamber a round.

If you want to use the best spring for use with HPs, find out what the very best 1911s use for spring weight from the factory and use that. If 1911s (or whatever gun) ran best and longest with higher strength recoil springs, they would have come with higher strength springs.

 

[SWG]

I am running a 16# spring in my Colt 5in. I have run a 17# and an 18.5# they all work just fine. I'm going to stick with a 16# for the present time.

 

[Dog Soldier]

If this is a primary defense weapon change the springs every year regardless of use. It is called a $20 dollar a year life insurance policy.

 

[200Apples]

Wolfman Zack

I recently picked up a used Kimber Custom 2 1911.
I'm thinking I should replace the recoil spring since I don't know the round count...

I'd call Kimber and see what they use for the Custom 2, then purchase the replacement springs directly from them.

I did that for my Ultra CDP II, but because this short-barreled near-"micro" 1911 uses a coaxial spring set, with the larger diameter spring suggested replacement every 500 rds. Since this is an aluminum-frame carry piece, it is worn more than it is shot so it might not even see 400 rds per year. I'll run a box of 50 rds through every few months. I swap the spring, regardless, annually. I should purchase another 3 springs... hey, thanks for the reminder!

 

[DaisyCutter]

I'd shoot it and see if it works first.

If you want to experiment, then buy a few springs. They're about $3 each, so paying shipping for one is almost silly.

BTW, Wilson ETM mags are amazing.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Beware that going to a heavier than stock recoil spring will unnecessarily batter your barrel's lower lugs and slide stop pin.

 

[nettlle]

If it is running well with the 16# spring I would leave well enough alone. I change springs every 3500 rounds on a steel framed 1911 and every 1200 rounds on an aluminum framed 1911.

 

[L-2]

For Post #8, Kimber's website states it uses a 16 pound spring. Whether Kimber buys from Wolff or some other supplier is unknown. A company's suppliers are generally company-confidential. Calling Kimber to ask who its spring supplier seems a waste of time. Kimber will likely redirect you to its store where it will sell a 3-pack of 16 pound springs for a Custom II: http://store.kimberamerica.com/recoil-spring-full-size-45-acp-16lb-set

Brownells.com has various Wolff springs whether 16 or 18.5 pounds, and sells the ISMI brand, too.

What I haven't tried is the Wilson-Combat flat-wire recoil spring kit: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Flat-Wi...-45-ACP-Chrome-Silicon-17-Lb/productinfo/614/

 

[tark]

Rubber duck and Frogfurr pretty much summed it up. good advice from both. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

 

[Rinspeed]

It's my understanding that a slightly heavier spring will reduce wear and tear, as well as increase reliability with hollowpoint ammunition.

That is a myth that a heavier recoil spring will reduce wear and tear, in fact a heavier one can cause more wear and tear. The hammer and mainspring have more to do with slowing the slide down as it comes back than the recoil spring. Not only that but as you increase the forward speed of the slide you run a much greater risk of the mag springs not being able to keep up.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

That is a myth that a heavier recoil spring will reduce wear and tear, in fact a heavier one can cause more wear and tear. The hammer and mainspring have more to do with slowing the slide down as it comes back than the recoil spring. Not only that but as you increase the forward speed of the slide you run a much greater risk of the mag springs not being able to keep up.

Good to know, I guess I'll stick with 16 pound springs.