Recoil Springs - Variable

[MoreIsLess]

Sorry, I'm a little slow today but what is the difference between Recoil Springs - Conventional and Recoil Springs - Variable for a Sig 226 on the Wolf web site.

http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto%20Pistols/SIG-SAUER%20%28SIGARMS%29/P-226/cID1/mID4/dID254

Is the only difference that you only get one spring with the conventional and multiple springs with the variable. With the conventional option, the lightest spring offered is 14lb while the variable option has 10,11,12,13,14 lb springs. The part# (46014) is different for the 14# spring with the conventional option than the variable option (46214) making me think the springs are actually for the same weight.

Has anyone ever used a reduce power recoil spring with their 226

 

[priler]

no,they are different in the way they get to the compressed working poundage in the gun. the poundage of the conventional will work more linear per distance the slide travels while the variable will work with less poundage per slide travel (progressively) until it reaches the full compressed working length at which point it will have the same poundage as the conventional if they are weighted the same. in other words,when the slide has traveled back lets say 1/2" or 3/4" or 1",the conventional will have more weight at those points than the variable until they both reach full compression at which point they are equal weight.

also,everything being equal in manufacture,spring weights are based on diameter of wire and length with heavier having larger wire diameter. with variable springs,besides diameter,they are based on coil spacing and length. the variable use different coil spacings through the length of the spring. (very similar to variable coil springs in automobile suspensions).

my opinion: at the beginning of compression and just before total uncoiling,they are both at their weakest,which means the conventional will help with reliability in getting and staying in battery. because they help the round being pushed into the chamber at the end of the cycle,i would prefer the extra help(weight) from the conventional at that point. on the other hand,if you have a barrel with a compensator on it,which means the affect of the compensator and it's extra weight might make the cycle more sluggish,a variable spring,in theory,seems like a good idea to me.

 

[LiveLife]

I use 16.5/17.5/18.5 lb Wolff variable power and Wilson Combat fixed rate springs with my 1911s and prefer to use 16.5/17.5 lb Wolff variable power springs for lighter target loads and 18.5 lb Wilson Combat fixed rate spring for full power/factory loads.

While some may argue for the longest lock up benefit from fixed rate recoil springs, with lighter factory or reload target rounds, you want the slide to fully cycle to reliably extract/eject and feed/chamber the next round from the magazine and variable power spring allows slide to maintain momentum even with lighter target loads. Recoil spring is the lowest cost pistol component at around $7/$8 and should be matched to the ammunition to provide the desired felt recoil/muzzle flip while providing reliable slide cycling. You should try different springs with your pistol to see which you prefer.

Recoil springs are also consumable and should be replaced regularly. Keep in mind that most "cheaper" factory 16 lb springs will quickly become 15 lb springs and will cause hard felt recoil and muzzle flip so I usually recommend 17 lb springs for 1911 if you were to get just one spring replacement.

If all you shoot is full power factory loads, for 9mm 226 with 15 lb factory spring rate, perhaps 16 lb fixed rate spring is desired? If you shoot lighter target loads, perhaps consider 15/16 lb variable power spring?

Following is from Wolff gun spring's FAQ page - http://www.gunsprings.com/faq

1. What is the difference between conventional and variable recoil springs?
The difference is both physical and operational. With a conventional spring, all the coils are spaced equally apart, except for the closed ends. In a variable recoil spring the space varies between coils with less space between coils at one end and more space between coils at the other end.

The way the two springs store energy is also different. For example if a conventional recoil spring is compressed 1/2", it might store 1 pound of energy. For every additional 1/2" this spring is compressed it would then store 1 additional pound of energy. When a variable recoil spring is compressed 1/2", it might store 1/4 pound of energy. The next half inch of compression might store 1/2 pound, the next half inch might store 3/4 pound and so on. In other words, a conventional spring stores energy on a straight line and a variable spring stores energy on a curve. If both springs are rated at 16 pounds, they will both store 16 pounds when compressed to the same working length, but the way they get to 16 pounds is different.

2. Should I use a conventional or variable spring when both are available?
The choice is often very subjective. Conventional recoil springs are particularly beneficial when shooting heavier loads where keeping the slide closed as long as possible is desired. Variable recoil springs reduce the battery load values with increasingly greater recoil load values. This results in easier unlocking, improved recoil energy storage, dampening, feeding, breaching and lockup. Variable recoil springs are particularly beneficial with compensated pistols and when using light target loads where less recoil energy is available. The "correct type" of recoil spring is best determined through experimentation and your own personal preference.

 

[JTQ]

I use Wolff springs in my 1911, but isn't the SIG one of those guns you may be better off with their own spring rather than the aftermarket product?

Don't factory SIG springs come as an intertwined product? Are Wolff SIG springs the same?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm also a user of Wolff springs in the 1911s, but I'd seriously warn against using Wolff after market springs in a SIG Classic P-series that come from the factory with the multi-strand twisted wire recoil springs.

The twisted springs are optimized to protect the fame rails from wear caused by the slide

 

[astra600]

My Sig P250 came with a hollow steel guide rod and s single strand recoil spring. When I ordered extra recoil springs for it I received captured flat springs on plastic rods. Sig told me the flat springs are better and that I couldn't get the single round strand spring from them anymore. My Sig SP2022 came with flat springs. Both bought a few months ago. I've seen pics of the multi strand recoil spring. I believe they come on the P226.