1911 Spring Replacement: stock weight or heavier?

[Snowdog]

After ordering a nice pair of walnut grips for my RIA 1911A1, I decided the recoil spring that came with the pistol might need replacing as it didn't seem as pleasant a shooter as the Kimber (that had a 16 pound Wolff replacement spring recently installed).

I placed an order for a Wolff 16 pound spring to keep the stock weight for the 1911. However, after ordering, I got to wondering if I should had purchased the next weight up (18.5 pounds I believe) as this pistol might see some +P rounds as I have a quantity of Hornady's 200gr JHP+P on hand.

Has anyone here installed a slightly heavier-than-stock recoil spring in their 1911 and continue to use target ammunition? If so, what were the results?
This question is more out of curiousity than anything as I will go ahead and install the 16 pound spring. However, when replacing this spring down the road, I'd like to know what options are available to me.

I've replaced my K9's stock spring with a substantially heavier spring with no ill effects with standard pressure hardball, but I believe the 1911 to be a slightly more finicky beast.

 

[Joe D]

A heavier spring will make the gun more difficult to shoot. Most guys that shoot competition use an 11 lb spring with a buff in their 1911. If you don't use the gun for competition the 16 or 18 will work fine.

 

[sgb]

A heavier spring will give you more felt recoil, however it will also save on wear and tear

 

[HSMITH]

Stick with a stock spring or slightly lower.

Heavier springs save wear and tear in slide opening, but the accelerate wear in slide closing. No free lunch.

Unless departing from 45 acp ballistics by a significant degree a 16 pound spring is all a Government model will ever need.

 

[1911Tuner]

re:

Stick with a stock spring or slightly lower.

Heavier springs save wear and tear in slide opening, but the accelerate wear in slide closing. No free lunch.

Unless departing from 45 acp ballistics by a significant degree a 16 pound spring is all a Government model will ever need.

+1.

Add to the discussion a reminder that springs work in both directions. Besides...there is a better way to reduce the frame to slide impact without
using a heavier spring OR a shock buffer.

 

[StrikeEagle]

Tuner

Besides...there is a better way to reduce the frame to slide impact without using a heavier spring OR a shock buffer.

What way is that?

StrikeEagle

 

[1911Tuner]

Word!

What way is that?

StrikeEagle

By using a full-power (23#) mainspring and a firing pin stop with a .075 radius at the bottom.

 

[GoRon]

I had a 18 1/2# spring in my Springer TRP for a while. (succumbed to internet chatter).

I put the 16 back in. Much quicker follow up shots and with +12k rounds through the gun I notice no wear or battering.

I just listen to Tuner and Fuff about most things now. I still run my 8rnd Wilsons and Chip McCormicks but my gun works with them so there is no reason to change.

 

[Joe D]

It's a little tough to get a 1 lb trigger pull with a 23 lb. mainspring though.