One of the stainless magazines that I use in a Colt Officers .45 has dimples forming on the front and rear surfaces due to the rounds shifting during recoil to the point that it will no longer drop free when changing magazines. Is this a common occurance in the lighter frame autos? Am I using too heavy a recoil spring at 22 pounds?

Rds inside a magazine shouldn't be moving anywhere near the force required to makes "dimples" in your mags. Either you had a bag mag(s) or someone is screwing with your mags.

IIRC, 22lbs is about right for the OACP model 1911. Wolfe has a good web site listing the poundage rating as well as lighter or heavier springs.

I'd get some different mags & you shouldn't see the problem reappear. Try Chip McCormick mags, I use them & have never had any problems.

Hope this helps.