Recoil spring life and replacement?

[FourTeeFive]

Do recoil springs generally need scheduled replacement after X number of years or rounds?

 

[Scimmia]

Depends on the gun. Usually shorter recoil springs take more abuse and need replaced more often, with the Rohrbaugh R9 being an extreme example and recommending replacement every 100 rounds. For the most part, replace it when you start noticing the gun acting differently. For most guns, this could be anywhere from 2000-30000 rounds.

 

[SpentCasing]

5k seems to be when most change for preventive maintenance.

 

[EddieNFL]

I go by length.

 

[FourTeeFive]

Thanks. How about just safe queens? Sitting 20 years, for example.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Springs that aren't under stress can live for a long, long time. Under stress -- unless they're pushed to their limits (like fully compressed) they can still live long and prosper. Recoil springs and hammer springs aren't really stressed when the gun isn't in use -- they are relaxed in their "normal" state.

Just working springs (compressing them and letting them relax) isn't really bad, unless the compression cycle compresses them too far. (That is often the case with recoil springs in compact and sub-compact guns -- which is why the gunmaker typically suggest changing them out more frequently on those guns.)

Some magazine springs, if the mags are stored fully loaded, can die a bit more quickly. Most hi-caps and mags for compact/sub-compact guns and the ones most likely to be affected. Downloading a round or two will prolong their lives.

Not much to worry about, otherwise.


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[FourTeeFive]

Thanks everyone for the info!

 

[MJ_ATL]

I change the recoil spring specifically on the gun I use for IDPA every 6 months with is between 5K and 6K rounds. Others like the mainspring get replaced when they start failing - some of my practice ammo has a bit harder primer than other ammo and when I start getting light strikes on it I swap the mainspring and do a detailed strip/clean.