Recoil Spring Power
- Thread starter cdowney09
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Fumbler
Member
Reduced power springs will make it easier for the slide to move rearward when the gun is fired. A reduced power spring will push the slide back into battery with less power.
If the spring is too light then any part of the gun that stops the rearward movement of the slide could prematurely wear/break. Also, if it is too light then the gun could fail to return to battery (move all the way forward).
Extra power springs will make it harder for the slide to move rearward when the gun is fired. On the other hand, the slide will return to battery with more force.
If the spring is too heavy then the slide could "short stroke" causing feeding and/or ejection problems. Heavier springs would help reduce wear on gun parts.
It's a bit of a balancing act. You want the spring to have enough power to cycle the gun, but not so much power that itprevents the gun from working.
Why do you ask?
IMO for reliability reasons you should stick with whatever the factory spring rate is unless you have a special circumstance. ie. If it's a range only gun that you shoot a lot then a couple pounds higher wouldn't be a bad idea. to save wear and tear.
I'm just taking some wild guesses on why you ask, but:
If you happen to have a 1911 that won't return to battery then a heavier spring is really a band aid. You've got other problems with the ramp/throat/extractor or something.
If you happen to have a Glock and it keeps stove piping then a lighter spring isn't the answer; you just gotta learn to shoot it with a firm grip.
If the spring is too light then any part of the gun that stops the rearward movement of the slide could prematurely wear/break. Also, if it is too light then the gun could fail to return to battery (move all the way forward).
Extra power springs will make it harder for the slide to move rearward when the gun is fired. On the other hand, the slide will return to battery with more force.
If the spring is too heavy then the slide could "short stroke" causing feeding and/or ejection problems. Heavier springs would help reduce wear on gun parts.
It's a bit of a balancing act. You want the spring to have enough power to cycle the gun, but not so much power that itprevents the gun from working.
Why do you ask?
IMO for reliability reasons you should stick with whatever the factory spring rate is unless you have a special circumstance. ie. If it's a range only gun that you shoot a lot then a couple pounds higher wouldn't be a bad idea. to save wear and tear.
I'm just taking some wild guesses on why you ask, but:
If you happen to have a 1911 that won't return to battery then a heavier spring is really a band aid. You've got other problems with the ramp/throat/extractor or something.
If you happen to have a Glock and it keeps stove piping then a lighter spring isn't the answer; you just gotta learn to shoot it with a firm grip.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Great synposis. One nit, tho:
This is why, for most folk shooting factory ammo, sticking with the factory spring rate is generally best.
On recoil - yes. But the return-to-battery will be stronger, and will batter the parts more when slamming the slide and barrel into battery. On some pistols, this actually can decrease the life of parts (CZs eat slide stops this way) instead of helping.
This is why, for most folk shooting factory ammo, sticking with the factory spring rate is generally best.
Fumbler
Member
Good point. 
It's all a balancing act
If you're thinking about changing spring rates then ask around. People like rbernie will have useful info on what models do well with changes in springs.
It's all a balancing act
If you're thinking about changing spring rates then ask around. People like rbernie will have useful info on what models do well with changes in springs.
rbernie
Contributing Member
The Witness has the same construction as the CZ. I would expect that up-rating the recoil spring in a Witness will cause the same issue as as it would in a CZ.
Having said that - the 10mm stresses the CZ design pretty hard and I've heard it said that the practical life of the Witness in 10mm is potentially 5K-10K rounds. If recoil is managed sufficiently mo' better with the 22lb spring, it may be the better part of valor to accept a reduced slide-stop life, buy spares, and swap it out every year or so.
Having said that - the 10mm stresses the CZ design pretty hard and I've heard it said that the practical life of the Witness in 10mm is potentially 5K-10K rounds. If recoil is managed sufficiently mo' better with the 22lb spring, it may be the better part of valor to accept a reduced slide-stop life, buy spares, and swap it out every year or so.
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