Posted: 7/9/2009 9:51:59 AM EDT
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Recently purchased a colt commander and I would like to experiment with different spring weights. I would like to know about how many coils or length to take from government model springs to end up with about the same weights for the commander. I know I can buy commander springs but I have a collection of 30 years worth of the government springs.
I'm not too worried about the low end to shoot some bullseye loads but the higher end I would like to be doing with a bit of knowldege involved. Thanks, Max |
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my advice...
try and trade some of your 5" recoil springs for 4.25" ones on the EE, or sell a few and use the proceeds for your Commander. This is more than just coils. Each platform is caliberated for a certain weight. 5" typically run in the 15#-18# range whereas Commanders typically run in the 18#-20# range. Even if you had a bunch of 18# springs for the 5", it's my understanding that clipping them distorts the overall weight measurement on the given spring. The practice is just not worth the "free ride" for me due to reliability issues and potential frame battering. |
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Thanks guys, this is why I asked before launching out there. The one thing that made me think of it is, from colt I got the recomendation of how many coils to cut from a 14 lb spring for an old midrange.
As you pointed out, they aren't that expensive. I'll order a few from midway. Thanks Again! Max |
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I would like to experiment with different spring weights
Is that because your gun is not ejecting consistently with your loads? If the gun is working, it's best not to mess with the recoil spring/main spring/load balance. If you are running exclusively .45 Super out of it, or 185gr. light target loads, I could see the need. But a standard spring in good shape should run just fine with everything from 200gr. LSWC at target levels up to 230HP +p. |
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No problem guys, too much time on my hands and got to thinking what if.
I just got this pistol last friday and have been playing with it a bit. Past couple of days have been bailing some hay for horses and have taken this one along to shoot at the occasional field rat. Good entertainment....Shooting some real lite loads and had a couple of failures. Nothing serious, everything that should work has worked fine. Thanks, Max |
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Max,
If you really want an extra power recoil spring, I think I have an extra factory fresh one for a .40 Commander back when I had that (since sold). I think that will be +2 or +3 lbs. vs your stock .45acp spring rate. I have a .45 commander so I can drop it in and check. No charge, pm me your address. If you feel you owe me something, you could send me some of your hay; my horses would probably enjoy that kansas grass you laid up vs. the Oregon orchard grass and Eastern Washington Timothy they normally eat in the winter. I'm sure the shipping shouldn't be too bad ;) But if you are tossing it 6' out that's just right and prooves your mainspring/recoil spring/load are all in balance. If it's going sideways or even a little forward instead of backward a bit, that's usually an extractor tension or ejector face angle issue, not a recoil spring problem. |
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Thanks Bryan but think I'll stay with the standard springs for now. Probably pick up a few lower powered springs and a couple of standards to stick away. I should learn from this though, that's what has me a few extra for the gov't models.
Sure, How many bales would you like? I'm doing about 700 bales and I can do a few extra, no charge. They are about 70 lb bales and I am pretty sure ups has a next day a.m. delivery for 70lbs or less (cod)...... 
This is just prairie hay used for free choice browse. In a about a month I'll be doing 3rd cutting alfalfa for the winter hay. |