Changing to a different recoil spring in SIG-P238

[AK103K]

You're making a mountain out of a mole-hill.

No, not really, I've already been through all this in real life with a couple of guns, and it does have to be done. Then again, if you only shoot your gun once in awhile, you might never notice.

You would have to keep track of the round count on your full sized pistols in order to know when to replace the recoil springs so what's the difference between that and keeping the count on your micro pistols.

I have 1911's other full size guns that have never had the recoil spring replaced, are shot constantly, and and they still function fine. Even my Glock 26's and SIG P230's dont seem to have a problem, and they have many thousands of rounds through them now.

If the design is good, the springs usually last a good long time under realistic use, and arent used as an excuse.

My Kimber Ultra Carry, and my Springfield Champion, on the other hand, both had spring related issues and usually worked somewhat better after a spring swap. The spring swaps were usually needed well before the manual stated too, or at least they were with the the Kimber. The Champion was a little more tolerant, and lasted a little longer initially.

Interestingly enough, my Kimber and P238 both had a magical 1500 round spring change stated in their manuals, and both had very similar problems as far as function goes. Whether or not they were related, is anyones guess, but it does make you wonder sometimes.


If the maker is recommending a spring change at a certain interval, especially when most others dont, there must be a reason. If not, it wouldnt have been brought up. The fact that SIG even reduced theirs for the P238, has to make you wonder even more. I suppose the "SIG Owners R&D Group" will help them get it sorted out, and it sounds like theyre starting to get there.

 

[kokapelli]

Ok but you seem to know how many rounds you shoot in your full sized pistols so I don't understand your eversion to keeping track of the rounds fired in a micro sized pistol or maybe you just don't like micros.

In any case i'll continue to enjoy my P238 and change springs as needed.

 

[AK103K]

Most of my pistols that work, I dont have a clue as to the specific number of rounds through them. The ones that dont work, I tend to know better. The only time I keep a rough count, is when the gun is new, and I'm just getting an idea if there may be an issue. For as much as I shoot, and the number of guns in the rotation, "many" and "thousands" are about as accurate a description as you get. Out of the last 30 or so pistols I've bought in the last 10 years or so, the P238 has been the first that was an issue, and continued to be so, for the 700 or so rounds I had through it. Just prior to that, there were a bunch of 1911's I'm happy to forget, and the main reason I got away from them. Unfortunately, things seem to have picked right back up where I left off, when I bought the P238 on a whim.

The difference here with the "micros" is the low round count spring intervals and the problems associated with them thats my issue. My Government and Commander models still have or had their original springs in them, and were never an issue. (Same goes for all my other P series SIG's, my HK's, and all my Glocks, regardless of size.) The smaller 1911 type guns on the other hand, always needed a lot of attention, and springs were part of the issue. Its not that I dislike them, I just get aggravated with them, and wont trust my life with them. I suppose they are fine for a range toy, and useful for failure drills. Personally, Im not wasting any more money on them.

Like I've said before, I'm happy for you your P238 works, and hope it continues to do so. Just dont think because yours does, those of us who had issues with theirs, must be crazy or talking trash. I would have preferred mine had, but dont be mad at me because it didnt, and I say so when asked.

 

[kokapelli]

Yes, short slide pistols do seem to be a lot more sensitive to weakening of recoil springs but for me it's a small price to pay for the convenience of the micro pistols.

With the very limited travel of these slides, timing is critical and constant recoil spring tension is important.

 

[9mmepiphany]

posted by AK103K
do you wait until you start experiencing failures and then do that a few more times, and decide on a number ?

I'll relate this story because it is very on point and because you mention that you shoot P-series Sigs

two co-workers and I bought the Sig 226 when they came out (back when they cost $370). One of them shoot his quite often and never worried about changing the recoil spring or using grease on the rails. He never had a functional problem with the gun...the mag springs were weak, because rounds were starting the flip in the tube...and it still shot like a champ.

He wanted to try a short trigger and the departmental armorer switched out his recoil and mainspring spring at the same time. With the heavier springs, he wasn't as happy with the trigger pull and asked another armorer to clean it up a bit. That is when we discovered that he had a cracked frame rail.

I don't think waiting until a gun starts to have a hiccup is a good measure of when to change recoil springs