1911 Recoil Springs and Charge Weight

[schmeky]

I am developing some mid-range loads for a full size 1911 in 9mm. I have the following recoil spring weights:

13
10
9
8

I am using a 115 gn FMJ bullet and WW231 powder. My normal charge is 5.0 gns of 231 (using the 13# spring).

I loaded 4.0 gns of 231 and installed the 8# spring thinking the action would cycle normally, and it does not. The slide cycles rearward but leaves the fired case horizontally between the barrel chamber and the slide, denoting insufficient pressure to cycle the slide.

My next charge will be 4.5 gns of 231. My Speer reloading manual indicates the action should cycle with a 3.8 gn charge of 231 with a 124 gn bullet. Wonder why mine will not?

 

[rcmodel]

Because your stock 1911 needs at least a 13 pound spring to cycle?

A stock Colt 9mm spring is 14 pound.

The very light 8, 9, etc. springs are for use in hand fitted guns with polished parts, hand-lapped slides, light hammer springs, etc.

You best spring will be the heaviest one that will allow positive ejection and cycling.

Anything lighter is just beating your gun to death.

rcmodel

 

[Jim Watson]

Doubt Speer tested in a heavy gun like a 1911.

I did some work with light 9mms for ladyshooters a while back. I found that any gun I tried would run on a 90% load, most on an 88% load, and some on an 85% load.
Four grains instead of five is an 80% load and would take special preparation for function.

My usual light bullet loads in 9mm are 4.8 gr W231 or HP38 and a 115 gr FMJ or 4.4 gr and a 124. I have pushed JHPs faster to simulate defense loads.

 

[jmorris]

My Springfield 5” 1911 would run with an 8# after 600-700 rounds and a little polishing on the ramp. My SVI 5” is 100% with a 7 1/2 # after the first 1000. The 4 1/4” STI that I have is at its best with an 11#. The load I use is 3.1 of VV310 and Berry’s 147gr (around 900fps and the best IDPA/USPSA minor load I’ve found to date).

 

[spencerhut]

A "light" (125PF) load for a 1911 should (in general) be used with a 10Lb spring. You may want to load several (5 or so each) of your 115g bullets with carefully measured powder charges in .2g increments to test. Start in the middle of the book loading range and drop down .2 at a time until the gun will not run 100%. Load a few more of what you think will work (21 or 3+ mags worth) and try them again. If you make this far you will have a good idea of what is working correctly. You should now be able to crank out some nice light loads.

I'm not sure I would be going much below a 10lb spring. It is the defacto "light" spring to use in a 1911. Tune your gun to run with the 10lb spring and I think you will be happy with it.