Handgun Recoil Spring Recommendations: 07-13-2011
Currently in my handguns:
1) Springfield Armory Trophy Match: Wolff V.R. 16.5 #
2) Les Baer Premier II: Wolff V.R. 16.5 #
3) Jim Hoag Long-Slide: Wolff V.R. 16.5 #
4) Ed Brown Executive Target: Original Issue non-V.R. 16.5 #.
(1) Recoil spring replacement: Every 1K-2K rounds. (EB # 9165-G). (2) Firing pin spring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 908). (3) Mainspring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 919). (4) Correctly match recoil spring to the load being shot. (5) No Shok-buffs. (6) Ejected brass should land 8-12 feet away. (7) If brass is falling within a few feet, the spring is too heavy for that load.
(8) If brass is falling beyond the 12 feet, the spring is too light for that load.
W. C. Wolff Gunsprings recommended data:
If cases are landing in the 3 ft-6 ft: recoil spring is approximately correct
If cases are landing less than 3 ft: recoil spring is too heavy for that load
If cases are landing beyond the 6 ft-8 ft: recoil spring is too light for that load
5) Wilson Combat Classic SG: Original Issue non-V.R. 17.0 #.
WC 5” .45 autos are shipped with a 17 lb spring.
Wilson Combat recoil spring on-line blog recommends a 15 lb.-18.5 lb. spring
Recommended recoil spring replacement: (mechanical failures / issues)
(1) Return to battery failure. (2) Torn Shok-buff within a few hundred rounds of installation. (3) ½” or more shorter than a new one. (4) Purchase of a second-hand gun. (5) Ejection - extraction pattern changes suddenly.
Integrated Spring Management Inc. (ISMI) recommendation for recoil spring replacement: “The recoil spring should be changed, at the latest, when it has lost .500 of free length from new. At this point, the spring has suffered a considerable reduction in load exerted at installed length. (When the gun is in battery).
