Question about recoil springs.

[harmonic]

I'm working with two guns, Colt Combat Commader and Sig 220ST.

I went to the range with some mild handloads and the Commander did fine. It did jam one factory load, though.

The Sig had a problem. The recoil was enough to cock the gun but not eject the spent casing.

I went to the Wolf spring website and it says the factory strength for the Colt's recoil spring is 18 pounds. It says the Sig's spring is 20 pounds.

Pulling the slides back on each gun, it sure feels like more of a difference than 2 pounds.

Is Wolf correct? And, why would Sig want a 20 pound recoil spring? Is Sig more prone to damage from battering?

 

[Hokkmike]

I don't know much, but enough to start a conversation. Please take my comments with a grain of salt. I know sig had to add some curl (fuzzy looking) to their springs to get them up to optimal perfomance. It is disheartening when these things (semi auto pistols) misfire. I guess part of the fun is working the kinks out or finding that special pistol that works on all cylinders.

 

[Big Boomer]

it's very possible that with mild handloads you will not get the gun to cycle. With the colt gold cup's come with 2 springs a 14 pounder and an 18 pounder.

14 for target loads
18 for normal
20 is usually for +p stuff or stout factory loads

also keep in mind that you might want to check out the mainspring if you can't get it to cycle. Some have 25+# mainsprings these are stiff and will also change the way the gun cycles.

If you own a couple of 1911's and reload, you might just want to order yourself a full spread of recoil springs and mainsprings (I did) from 14 lb to 24 lb for the recoil double up on the 18's.

Also order some mainsprings running from about 14-26 lbs in 2 lb increments.

The higher the mainspring pressure the harder it is to cock.

 

[DWARREN123]

Also has to do with slide weight and design. Some need more spring to operate properly than others. There are many factors that go into recoil spring design and power, usually the factory gets it right for factory ammo.