Posted: 3/20/2011 4:19:33 AM EDT
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This topic came to light last night before dinner and after a couple fingers of scotch; Is there any advantages to using a 18.5 lb spring over the standard weight.
My neighbor, current IDPA/IPSC shooter says it's a must to go with the 18.5#, another long time friend (retired USA, former AMU shooter) says no need, with his mid range loads he uses a lighter spring, but with ball ammo he uses the standard spring. I've heard and read both sides of this discussion for a while now, what's the collective wisdom have to say? |
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Back about a decade or so ago the 18.5# spring seemed to be "the" choice. Wilson Combat's pistols shipped with those as the standard weight. I figured they knew what they were doing (and still think so) and did likewise on all my 1911s. Now I note that the stock weight on their pistols is 17#.
I used to believe that using the heaviest spring weight that was reliable provided maximum protection for the pistol. Now I'm starting to think that you need more of a balance as you'll batter the gun on the way back to battery if the spring is too heavy. I also have noted, since I started using 16# and 17# springs to experiment with, that recoil is noticeably softer with the lower weight springs. An added bonus. I have noticed no change in reliability. As stated above, I don't think anyone has the definitive answer on this and what we "know" today will be different from what we "know" tomorrow. |
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I question the IDPA/IPSC shooter who says 18.5 is a must. Might not totally know what he is talking about...
Most of the competition shooters are not shooting a max load so the gun would be considerably oversprung with an 18.5. Not that it wouldn't work but that is more spring than needed. Too heavy a spring will make the muzzle dip on fast follow up shots because of the forward inertia of the slide. Most factory guns are around 16# and most of the guys shooting competition are probably running springs lighter than that. I am using a 15# with a 170PF load and may go 14#. |
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I'll grant you that he "may not know what he's talking about", he is always running to and fro training here and training there, shooting this match or that match, has newest and most expensive toys, certainly appears up on the latest and greatest "high speed low drag stuff" and is certainly entertaining.
He constantly reminds me that time and technology has advanced since the 70's and I'm just a damn hard headed "Jarhead" that won't change. I questioned the comment that I needed to put new 18.5 # springs in all of my 1911's; I'm glad to know that it's not the "gospel". As I shoot 230 gr. ball (factory and reloads) or cast, I think I'll leave my guns just the way they are. Thanks for the insight. Semper Fi |
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When I order springs for a 5" .45, I tend to order 16 # springs. But I don't shoot a lot of +P carry ammo. 95% of my shooting is reloads, which don't typically go over 170 power factor.
I'm currently shooting USPSA with a Baer with a variable rate 18.5# spring in it. It works well enough that I don't see the need to mess with it. When it was new, it probably needed the 18.5# spring to put it back in battery reliably since it's a tight gun. It would probably run fine now with a 16. |
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Quoted:
I question the IDPA/IPSC shooter who says 18.5 is a must. Might not totally know what he is talking about... Most of the competition shooters are not shooting a max load so the gun would be considerably oversprung with an 18.5. Not that it wouldn't work but that is more spring than needed. Too heavy a spring will make the muzzle dip on fast follow up shots because of the forward inertia of the slide. Most factory guns are around 16# and most of the guys shooting competition are probably running springs lighter than that. I am using a 15# with a 170PF load and may go 14#. this. I run 14 in my old Kimber for comp. it sees both 230 and 200 grain 170 pf reloads. |
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I've got the targets and unmotivated at present to take the time to post them. Besides, if I did some would run with argumentative and baseless hyperbole.
I will challenge all to this. Purchase 16, 17, and 18.5 pound recoil springs. Using your current carry ammo run two, five shot groups into two seperate targets for each weight recoil spring. Write down your recoil spring weight on each target before running next five shot group. Compare groups.... For challenge I recommend running 23lb main springs. So fact find for yourselves and report back what works best. |
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Quoted:
I've got the targets and unmotivated at present to take the time to post them. Besides, if I did some would run with argumentative and baseless hyperbole. I will challenge all to this. Purchase 16, 17, and 18.5 pound recoil springs. Using your current carry ammo run two, five shot groups into two seperate targets for each weight recoil spring. Write down your recoil spring weight on each target before running next five shot group. Compare groups.... For challenge I recommend running 23lb main springs. So fact find for yourselves and report back what works best. run something close, but a bill drill at 10 yards. a few strings each. |
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I currently run a standard 16lb w/ 23lb mainspring and am very happy with this. I am not a 100% sure why the switch/recommendation to 18lb recoil/return spring was made. My best guess is for these two reasons: 1) P+ ammo wears the spring down faster and beats up the gun so add a heavier spring. 2) 16lb spring will wear out, and so getting an 18.5 spring with extra coils will compensate for the spring taking a set and last longer, and eventually settle into the 16.5-17.5lb range. Both points are just my stab in the dark. Wolff makes excellent springs so I buy with confidence and go with the standard 16lb spring.
I will also add this. The gun with the factory set up is a custom built Springfield G.I. and I am using the small radius firing pin stop. This combination between spring weights and the small radius works excellent. That being said, I also own a Kimber TLE w/External extractor and have kept that sprung as it came with an 18lb spring. It too works great. When that spring is done I will probably go with the 16lb for it too. |
Well the best "Scotch" is atctually good ol'e Tennessee sour mash - preferably aged single barrel  , Theproper spring weight is the one that throws your cases about 6-8 ft out. As stated earlier, to heavy of a recoil spring can batter your firearm going into battery,and possibly cause FtEject, which I had happen to me.
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