What poundage spring for heavy loads?

[Stinkyshoe]

How do you know when you've selected the right poundage spring for a 1911? For heavy 230gr loads, would it be wise to have a 17 or 18 pound spring to reduce frame damage?
Thanks
Ss

 

[Cal4D4]

1911tuner seems to be one authority here on 1911 springing. My understanding is that springs as heavy as 30# have been used for the Triton .45SMC and .45 Super stuff commands a spring of 24# or so. Spring rate is probably close if your ejects stay within 10 feet or less.

 

[Shmackey]

16.5 to 18 (or maybe 16 to 18.5) is normal for factory 230-grain loads. Nothing heavy about it, really.

Remember that a heavier spring might soften the blow on the way back, but it slams the slide home that much harder. No free lunch. Personally, I think most people overspring their 1911s.

 

[10-Ring]

It would also depend on how fast you want your bullet to travel (how much punch it should have). I have a buddy that has rounds for plates that uses a 1# spring to operate properly, a 16-17# spring for his standard pressured rounds & for his 45 super he uses a 24# spring. Bullet weight only comes into play while he's reloading & is calulating the right receipe.

 

[1911Tuner]

Springs

Shmackey nailed it. Overspringing can bring on functional issues and
overstressing of the lower barrel lug and slide stop pin. Oversprung
1911s also require that your magazine springs be in top condition, or
the slide will outrun it on the return to battery.

Rule of thumb for figuring the spring rate with a 230-grain bullet:

Multiply the velocity of the bullet by .2 (Point Two) Lighter or
heavier bullet? Add or subtract the percentage difference above
or below 230 grains.

Examples:

230 at 850 fps X .2 will give you 17 pounds. Since the GI hardball
ammo spec-ed out at 830 fps plus/minus 25...the spring rate would vary
from 16 to 17. Browning split the difference and specified a 16.5 pound spring.

200 grain bullet at 900 fps X .2 says 18 pounds MINUS the 11%
difference in bullet weight...and we're back to about a 16 pound
spring. FYI, the original hardball loading that Browning developed
for the pistol was 200 at 900 fps. Interesting, what?

200 grains at 1,000 fps dictates 20 pounds minus 11%..and you
come up with a figure of roughly 18 pounds. This formula won't be
exact in all pistols...each one being a law unto itself...but it will get
you in the ballpark. Bullets heavier than 230 grains use the same formula,
but the difference in weight is added. ( FPS X .2 + the percentage.)

Keep in mind that the heavier the spring, the faster the slide will return to battery. The faster the slide moves forward, the more critical the magazine spring becomes.

Hope this helps.

Tuner