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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:17 pm Post subject: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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How often do you change yours or better yet how do you determine if it needs to even be replaced ???
Do you use a buffer ???
How do you determine what weight of a spring to use ???
And lastly......why do I only hear 1911 shooters discussing this issue ???
Maybe one last question.........have you ever replace a recoil spring in something other than a 1911 ???
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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Donut Slayer Super Member
Joined: Jun 27, 2007 Posts: 594 Location: Pensacola, Florida
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BigBlue Super Member
Joined: Jan 16, 2006 Posts: 1108 Location: Lehigh Township, Pennsylvania
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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The spring weight depends on the model you have. The standard spring weight for a full size 1911A1 I believe is 16lbs. They will last a very long time on a standard, 5" barreled 1911. My Dad still has the same spring on his since WWII! The shorter Officer models go through springs a bit quicker. They are cheap enough so cost isn't an issue. You could always buy a new one and keep yours as a backup. It would also let you feel the difference between old and new.
www.midwayusa.com/brow...**16006***
Don
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11390 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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I change recoil springs in my three 1911 platforms (Firestar M43, Colt 1911 and Kimber UCC II) when the spent (fired) case starts to hang up coming out of the chamber jamming the weapon. Or when I feel it is time (several thousand rounds). As far as Colt 1911 most common spring weights are 10#, ??#, 16# and 18# (I have seen 22# springs). Stock from the factory is 16# (I think). Spring weight is determined by the power of the cartridge used. The lighter the load (as in target loads) the lighter the spring weight. And vise-versa for heavier loads...Because I use moderate to heavier loads (but not maximum) I have the 16# spring installed and the other two in my parts drawers
In my Colt I do use a "buffer"...
I just replaced the spring in my Firestar and Kimber manual tells you when to change springs.
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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SingleShotLover Super Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:37 am Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Bushmaster wrote: |
Spring weight is determined by the power of the cartridge used. |
Bushmaster is partially right...load level is one determination of recoil spring strength, but slide mass is the determining factor of any range of acceptable weights. The standard 1911 (5") uses a supposedly standard 16 pound spring, the Commander sizes (4 1/4") use 18 pound springs as standard and the Officer's sizes (3 3/4") use 22 pound springs. As slide mass decreases, spring strength increases to absorb the recoil impetus. Of course, as Bushmaster points out, as loads increase spring strength should also increase. Too much over the standard, however, usually means that your are probably abusing the weapon. Light target loads may well require lighter springs to function properly.
Of my 1911s that I use the most often (all .45 ACP), I use 18 pound springs in my 5" models and 20 pound in my 4 1/4" models as well as using buffers (except in my defense/carry 4 1/4" which uses 20 pound spring and no buffer...simply for functioning reliability and the fact that I don't shoot it as often as the others.) And I change them yearly (as I do my magazine springs also) unless functioning shows problems earlier.
_________________ If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!
The biggest problem with a closed mind is that it never seems to come with a closed mouth.
SSL |
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11390 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:51 am Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Can I have your one year old springs?
My Kimber UCC II uses two springs that equal 18#. and I have an 18# in the firestar with a 20# and 22# in parts.
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:43 am Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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There is a reason I ask these questions !!!
Within the 7 years that I've gotten serious about pistols this subject has come up numerous times. Everyone can tell me what they came with from the factory and everyone seems to have their own way of determining things. What no one has been able to give is any sort of test that determines weather or not the spring is weak, going weak, or is up to par.
When it comes to tailoring a spring to a specific load all I've ever gotten was do they eject reliably.
Donut Slayer is the first (I've heard) to ever give any sort of mechanical test.
Bushy, I've heard a number of guys make the same statement about once they start to limp out. I usually follow that up with "How long to you think you were incurring frame damage with a weak spring ?" Everyone seems to think about that without a response.
By the way my Kimber manual says nothing about recoil spring replacement.
The UCC II has two springs !!! Can I see a picture of that set up please ??? (No I'm not doubting you, just never seen it)
SSL, you change yours yearly ......... I know guys that have never changed a spring and can't get an understanding of my questioning. About how many rounds do you put through them ???
As far as the buffers go. I quit using them after I seen more than a few guns go down during matches because of them.
I don't ever foresee me using one in a carry gun !!!
Pumpkin, We need to find you a new job !!!
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11390 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:44 am Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Sure. Needs to be cleaned and regreased anyway.
On my Colt .45 ACP 1911 I have changed the spring twice in the last 20 years. Same with my Firestar (also 20 years). So far no change has been made in the Kimber. The Colt was changed because I modified the recoil system. The Firestar because it was starting to not completely extract the fired case far enough to contact the ejector pin and was stacking the fired case on top of the fresh round with the fired case still half in the chamber.
Some owner's manuals tell you when to change the springs (Kimber does). Some don't (Colt and Firestar don't). I would consider changing the recoil spring if you suspect a problem after 2,000 to 4,000 rounds if you don't have any other reference.
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_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote...
Last edited by Bushmaster on Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:03 am; edited 2 times in total |
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:52 am Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Why thank you Sir !!!
Now where's that bottle of tequila ???
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11390 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:08 am Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Oh geezz...Not only is he lost, but now he lost the tequila. What next...??
Yer welcome...Now the fight to reassemble the dang thing...
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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hunterjoe21 Super Member
Joined: Mar 30, 2007 Posts: 1486 Location: Miles City, Montana
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Bushmaster wrote: |
Oh geezz...Not only is he lost, but now he lost the tequila. What next...??
Yer welcome...Now the fight to reassemble the dang thing... |
Least I know now that I'm not the only one fightin' with it...
_________________ My 1911 is more effective than your 911. |
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11390 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Oh I have a better way then Kimber for disassembling this Little Kimber. I don't use the wire tool for disassembly. After I'm ready to install the spring and guide assembly I, then, insert the tool (wire) then install it in the slide.
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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hunterjoe21 Super Member
Joined: Mar 30, 2007 Posts: 1486 Location: Miles City, Montana
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: 1911 Recoil springs !!! |
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Bushmaster wrote: |
Oh I have a better way then Kimber for disassembling this Little Kimber. I don't use the wire tool for disassembly. After I'm ready to install the spring and guide assembly I, then, insert the tool (wire) then install it in the slide. |
I cant get the rod/spring assembly in or out of the slide without the tool. My disassmbly starts the same as yours though. I remove the slide without installing the "paper clip"...
_________________ My 1911 is more effective than your 911. |
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SingleShotLover Super Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1005 Location: Illinois
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