Posted: 9/15/2013 3:17:39 PM EDT
| What pound spring should be used in a full size 1911 shooting regular 230 gr? |
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Most factory springs are 16-16.5lbs.
For best reliability, install either a Wolffe or Wilson Combat 18.5lb. It will help with stiff loads, but it also helps with a dirty gun, ammo, etc, as it will overcome more resistance than a 16lb. Most everyone runs the aftermarket 18.5 springs from one of those two companies, and it is an upgrade that a good number of people do immediately when they buy a new 1911. I've been running them for 14 years, and they are gtg. |
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For best reliability, install either a Wolffe or Wilson Combat 18.5lb. It will help with stiff loads, but it also helps with a dirty gun, ammo, etc, as it will overcome more resistance than a 16lb. Most everyone runs the aftermarket 18.5 springs from one of those two companies, and it is an upgrade that a good number of people do immediately when they buy a new 1911. I've been running them for 14 years, and they are gtg. +1 I've been using 18lb springs for years with perfect results. One needs to remember that the OEM spring weight is designed to handle light target loads as well as stouter loads. Thus the 230gr hardball would tie in nicely with the 18-19lb spring weight. Saves battering on the frame too. My .o2 |
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I would recommend a 18.5 # spring if the mainspring is lighter than the 23# standard.
Some magazines can have a problem keeping up with a faster recoil spring, especially if they are nearing a magazine spring change, and it can hide issues like too loose or too heavy extractor tension. What I'm definitely not a fan of is using them as a panacea to get a balky gun mostly running. When I do use 18.5# springs, I prefer the variable rate springs. These make it a bit easier to manipulate the slide, especially one-handed. |
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Agreed. We do the same here.. variable rate 17.5 to 18.5.. if needed, i.e. lower mainspring weight or shooting heavier loads than good old 230 / 850 fps
Putting in a heavier spring to "cure" problems is like pushing down the gas peddle to make a misfiring V8 run. You didn't fix anything.. you're just masking the symptoms. For a stock gun that works fine... leave it alone. Changing parts just to change parts doesn't "do" anything. If the 16# gets a bad rap from anything, its from folks who never change their springs. |
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I stick with a 16lb recoil, 23lb main. Relace recoil and firing pin springs every 1K or so, plunger and mag catch every other case. I know I replace springs more than mecessary but they're cheap and It only takes a minute... I ordered the 18 1/2 Wilson Combat from Midway. I went ahead and bought some shokbuffers also, they are on sale 6 for less than $5 so I figured I could form my own opinion on them. Sprung for the full length Wilson Combat guide rod. All this is going in a new to me Kimber Stainless Raptor 2 that is currently being cerakoted black. First owner did I pretty crummy at home Duracoat job |
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I ordered the 18 1/2 Wilson Combat from Midway. I went ahead and bought some shokbuffers also, they are on sale 6 for less than $5 so I figured I could form my own opinion on them. Sprung for the full length Wilson Combat guide rod. All this is going in a new to me Kimber Stainless Raptor 2 that is currently being cerakoted black. First owner did I pretty crummy at home Duracoat ob Quoted:
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I stick with a 16lb recoil, 23lb main. Relace recoil and firing pin springs every 1K or so, plunger and mag catch every other case. I know I replace springs more than mecessary but they're cheap and It only takes a minute... I ordered the 18 1/2 Wilson Combat from Midway. I went ahead and bought some shokbuffers also, they are on sale 6 for less than $5 so I figured I could form my own opinion on them. Sprung for the full length Wilson Combat guide rod. All this is going in a new to me Kimber Stainless Raptor 2 that is currently being cerakoted black. First owner did I pretty crummy at home Duracoat ob congrats on lightening your wallet. |
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congrats on lightening your wallet. Quoted:
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I stick with a 16lb recoil, 23lb main. Relace recoil and firing pin springs every 1K or so, plunger and mag catch every other case. I know I replace springs more than mecessary but they're cheap and It only takes a minute... I ordered the 18 1/2 Wilson Combat from Midway. I went ahead and bought some shokbuffers also, they are on sale 6 for less than $5 so I figured I could form my own opinion on them. Sprung for the full length Wilson Combat guide rod. All this is going in a new to me Kimber Stainless Raptor 2 that is currently being cerakoted black. First owner did I pretty crummy at home Duracoat ob congrats on lightening your wallet. Less than $50. |
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Make sure you check for spring stack.
With the new guide rod, buffer, and spring in it, pull the slide back until it stops, mark a line on the dustcover of the frame where it's even with the end of the slide. Pull the plug out, but let the rod and spring stay in the frame in their normal place, repeat. If the line is in the same place. your GTG, if it's back closer to the rear of the gun than it was with the spring in, you need to trim the spring. |
| If your shooting a ton of factory 230 grain ball ammo like me(wwb, federal champ, rem yellow box), a good 16-16.5 pound spring is prolly what you want. You'll be most likely be good for about 1500/2000 round before you need to check your springs in a full size, 5 inch gun. You don't want the gun beating itself up when recoiling OR returning to battery. |
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I see no reason to second guess JMB's wisdom for the 230gr ball ammo spring rate or guide rod design. Yes, but many, many people shoot higher powered defense rounds that an 18.5# spring works for. I would rather have the 18.5# in for all loads than to leave the 16# spring in for 230gr at 1007fps and 510ft/lbs of energy ( Magtech, Atomic, Buffallo Bore is 975fps ). Atomic makes a 185gr at 1225fps, and 616ft/lbs of energy. Military ball is between 830fps and 900fps, and the energy is 352ft/lbs to 414ft/lbs. There is a ton of difference in the loads the 16.5# spring was designed for and what we shoot today. |
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When it comes to 1911s, each one is pretty much an individual. If your gun runs with your chosen springs, good. If not, don't be afraid to experiment. If you are getting bullet setback, slide closing on a live round sticking vertically out of the magazine, or short stroking, try a lighter spring.
If you're getting a lot of peening on the recoil spring tunnel and guide rod head, inertia feeding or failure to return to battery, a heavier spring might help. Chuck Rogers uses 16# springs in his guns, Hilton Yam usually recommends a 17#. But remember, the recoil spring is just part of the balancing act. Firing pin stop bevels, mainsprings, magazine springs, and extractor spring tension all have to work together. |
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Hey Ken you wanna buy some shockbuffs for those +P+ rounds????? Why would I ever want to shoot +P+ out of a .45? If you think you need more power, go to a 44 magnum or a 10mm. Personally I follow the school of thought that it's better to put two decent rounds through someone's eye socket instead of trying to find my front sight again after I touched off the first fireball... assuming the front sight hasn't parted company with the slide. |
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Why would I ever want to shoot +P+ out of a .45? If you think you need more power, go to a 44 magnum or a 10mm. Personally I follow the school of thought that it's better to put two decent rounds through someone's eye socket instead of trying to find my front sight again after I touched off the first fireball... assuming the front sight hasn't parted company with the slide. Quoted:
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Hey Ken you wanna buy some shockbuffs for those +P+ rounds????? Why would I ever want to shoot +P+ out of a .45? If you think you need more power, go to a 44 magnum or a 10mm. Personally I follow the school of thought that it's better to put two decent rounds through someone's eye socket instead of trying to find my front sight again after I touched off the first fireball... assuming the front sight hasn't parted company with the slide. sorry my sarcasm was wasted on you. |
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Do you also still use black powder in your guns too?  
Don't use night sights either, I guess? Quoted:
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I see no reason to second guess JMB's wisdom for the 230gr ball ammo spring rate or guide rod design. Do you also still use black powder in your guns too?
Don't use night sights either, I guess? Blackpowder is quite entertaining so I don't know what you're shooting(!) for with that lame attempt to be a smartass. What are night sights? |