how should one fit a recoil spring in a 1911

[new 1911 user]

Hello folks,
Some advise needed please.
Should the entire length of a new spring when put on a full length guide rod fit under the spring cap when compressed?
I find if I use this method the guide rod hits the barell pretty hard when a shot is fired and the slide moves back.
What is the correct method one should use? Or is there a tried and tested formula to choose the correct spring weight and length for a 9mm svi govt model pistol?
Kindly shed some light on this for me please
Thanks and regards
1911 user

 

[1911austin]

I'm not sure what you are asking. The spring should compress between the guide rod and spring cap. Also, the spring has a open end and a closed end. The closed end goes on the guide rod.

 

[new 1911 user]

recoil spring

Hi
I'm aware of the open and closed ends of the spring.
What I'm asking is if when the sring is fit onto the recoil rod and you put the spring cap on. When manually compressed does the entire spring need to fit into the spring cap?
Thanks and regards

 

[1911austin]

Okay. Let's start with the slide on the frame and the spring on the guide rod. You put on the spring cap compress in and turn the barrel bushing to hold the spring cap in place.

 

[wally]

When manually compressed does the entire spring need to fit into the spring cap?

No it has to compress into the tunnel in the slide which is usually a good bit longer than the spring cap. What is important is that the coils don't touch when the slide is fully rearward.

--wally.

 

[new 1911 user]

Hello wally,
Thanks , we are on the same page.
Lets start with the recoil spring and guide rod in ones hand.
When you compress the spring using the spring cap do all the coils of the spring have to fit in the cap?

 

[Kruzr]

You don't compress the spring into the plug. You put the spring on the guide rod in the gun with the spring sticking out the front. You then put the plug over the spring and compress it just enough to turn the bushing and catch the plug. There will only be a few coils in the plug. The rest of the spring is in the spring tunnel and all the way back against the guide rod head which is against the lower barrel lugs.

 

[wally]

When you compress the spring using the spring cap do all the coils of the spring have to fit in the cap?

No.

Re-assemble the gun leaving out the spring, make sure the guide rod still in place. Fully retract the slide and mark where the motion stops.

Re-assemble with the spring and repeat the measurement, if the reward motion doesn't make it to the mark your new spring is too long, otherwise, its fine.

--wally.

 

[new 1911 user]

Many thanks Wally
Tuner gave me the same advice.
thanks a million