Mainsprings

[Dickieray]

Is a government and a commander (1911) mainspring the same??? I'd like to lighten the trigger pull some and I understand a reduced tension mainspring and a different (other than standard) sear spring will reduce the pull by about 1 1/2 #. Thanks for the information!

 

[The Bushmaster]

If you are contimplating adjusting the trigger. I would HIGHLY recommend a compitent licensed gun smith do the job for you..

 

[10X]

If you are just swapping out springs, you can do that yourself. I have had luck reducing trigger pull doing what you have in mind.

The main/hammer spring is the same for both the Gov't and Commander.
I suggest a 19 lb Wolff spring. I don't recommend going any lighter.
This will make a noticable difference in trigger pull vs. the standard 23 lb spring.

You can adjust the sear spring or get a lighter one from Brownells, etc.
You may reduce the pull only a minimal amount from a ligher sear spring tension.

Just be sure you have enough tension on the left leg of the spring. The other two legs have no measurable difference on the trigger pull.

You test this by holding the unloaded gun as normal with the hammer down and the trigger pulled. Keep the trigger pulled. Slingshot the slide (pull all the way back and release sharply) to duplicate the firing cycle. If the hammer doesn't follow the slide, you have enough tension. Don't do this very much, it is very hard on a 1911 type gun.

Keep in mind that the spring weight operate in balance with other springs.
If you do go to a lighter mainspring, you should step up the recoil spring a couple of pounds.

 

[BlindJustice]

+1 Bushmaster - I would add that the mainspring in combination
with the recoil spring retards the speed of the rearward motion of the
slide, O.P. so you could be putting undue wear due to droping the main
spring # rate as well as perhaps risking light strikes on primers.

If you go ahead and DIY it, wear safety glasses the spring is under
tension.

Randall

 

[tlen]

You don't need to replace the mainspring. Just install a Cylinder & Slide Sear Spring #CS094
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=188154&t=11082005
While you're at it you might want to lightly stone [flat] the disconnector and trigger bow mating surfaces to only remove high spots.