southpaw dan Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 First a comment then a question. My whole understanding on recoil springs has been transformed due to this forum & some fellow competitors. I was stuck in the dark ages( & some gun rags) on this whole heavy/light spring thing. After reading the "FAQ's" I put a 8lb Wolff spring in my 5906( factory is 14lb ). Yikes! What a difference! Granted a 40oz 9mm doesn't exactly punish you, but the sight tracking was dramatically better. My question is, will I see that same kind of difference with my Kimber 5-inch or less so. Judging by most posts a 12lb spring with 200gr major loads seem to be the ticket. Thanks. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 If you mean by changing a factory 18# or stronger spring in your 45 ACP 1911 to a 12#, the answer is yes. You may even try an 11#. Some people like it. Just make sure you use a shock buff to avoid any frame damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Honestly, I've become not much of a fan of Shok Buffs. I ran one in my .45 for about 15K, then decided to try it without one. Wow! What a difference. Dramatically less muzzle flip and perceived recoil. I realize now that the slide was hitting the Shok Buff at the end of its stroke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerT Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Wow, I thought the 14# I had in my .45 was light. I shoot 230gr, so maybe a heavier spring is needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddjob Posted February 4, 2004 Share Posted February 4, 2004 what makes the buffs increase recoil?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southpaw dan Posted February 4, 2004 Author Share Posted February 4, 2004 Wow! Sight tracking is 100% better. Even more notciable than with the 9mm. Tried with & without the buff. Really couldn't tell much of a difference. 12lb recoil spr with 19lb main spr was the ticket. Thanks to BE, the moderators & all contributors for the FAQ. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted February 4, 2004 Share Posted February 4, 2004 Dan, You might try going to a 17# mainspring. It will give less resistence to the slide cocking teh hammer and still provide plenty of ignition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southpaw dan Posted February 5, 2004 Author Share Posted February 5, 2004 warpspeed, Went with the 19# just for reliability sake but will probably try the 17# in the near future. Also going to try going lighter on the recoil spr as well. Thanks again, Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoNsTeR Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I use a 14# with a 17# mainspring. Tried a 12.5# variable, but it felt really harsh so I switched back. 16# gives too much muzzle flip, and 18.5# gives WAY too much. I like the feel of a buffer, but my gun won't work with 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Schwab Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I screwed around with springs a lot in my SS 45 days. Ended up with a 15 lb mainspring and a 14 lb recoil spring. I liked the feel of the 12.5 lb recoil spring a little better, but reliability went to hell when the gun got dirty. Was using a single Wilson Shok-Buff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 what makes the buffs increase recoil?? I realize now that the slide was hitting the Shok Buff at the end of its stroke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 I've been running a 17-pound hammer spring for the vast majority of the 28K through my .45. No problems. As for the recoil spring, I recently switched to a heavy bullet/low velocity load, and dropped recoil spring weight down to 10 pounds. I may post more on this in the future. What can I say? It works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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