recoil springs in 1911's

[usmc1974]

I was looking a a topic by Hankfan79 and was wondering. I got a new Springfield stainless target model it came with an 18lb recoil spring. I could not get it to lock the slide back on the last round had to go to a 16lb now it works fine. Is Springfield the only company to use 18lb spring. I did not know you could use a 12 or so pound spring in a 45.

Edited June 5, 2011 by usmc1974

[ParaGunner]

I never tried a 12lbs, I always used a 14lbs recoil spring for the 45acp.

[TEricksen]

I never tried a 12lbs, I always used a 14lbs recoil spring for the 45acp.

I'd run 12lbs with 200g swc and 3.8g of 231 for speed steel, but for USPSA 180 power factor I'd run 200g swc @ 900fps with a 16lb recoil spring..... It ate shock buffs. 14lbs always seemed too sharp to me.

[ParaGunner]

I never tried a 12lbs, I always used a 14lbs recoil spring for the 45acp.

I'd run 12lbs with 200g swc and 3.8g of 231 for speed steel, but for USPSA 180 power factor I'd run 200g swc @ 900fps with a 16lb recoil spring..... It ate shock buffs. 14lbs always seemed too sharp to me.

I assume a 12lbs would work for minor pf ,for 45acp major I always ran a 14lbs.

[usmc1974]

Thanks for all the good info this is why this a great place. So if I run a 200lfp bullet at about 850-900 the best spring is a 16lb/. This is important in IDPA so the slide locks back on the last round.

[juan]

try the 12 and the 14 pound springs

i flip flop between the two, see what you like

[TEricksen]

Thanks for all the good info this is why this a great place. So if I run a 200lfp bullet at about 850-900 the best spring is a 16lb/. This is important in IDPA so the slide locks back on the last round.

Personally, I prefered the recoil pulse of a 16lb spring at a 180 power factor. There is no harm in trying each and making a decision for yourself. The slide will always lock back with a 16lb spring.

[usmc1974]

Thanks for all the good info this is why this a great place. So if I run a 200lfp bullet at about 850-900 the best spring is a 16lb/. This is important in IDPA so the slide locks back on the last round.

Personally, I prefered the recoil pulse of a 16lb spring at a 180 power factor. There is no harm in trying each and making a decision for yourself. The slide will always lock back with a 16lb spring.

This is what I was wondering about because, with an 18 lb factory that came in it, it will not. Thanks B

[MrFixitman]

Humm... I would not recommend using Factory ammo with anything less than a 12 Lb spring. And that maybe pushing it.

MrFixitman

[The Guy]

I have the same problem. I have a Kimber 5" and it tends not to lock back on the last round. I try a lighter spring then post my results.

[open17]

I use a 14 lb with 172-178 PF loads. Going to play around with a progressive 15 lb one of these days.

45 minor loads? Loaded up some 230's with a pinch of N310--just a plinkin' load for the kids when

they wanted to move up from 22's. PF was sub minor, gun ran 100% with an 8 lb spring. Still had enough

whack to take down plate rack/poppers.

[twodownzero]

I use a 14 lb in .45 with a full weight slide, 12.5 lb in .40 with a lightened slide, and a 10 lb in 9mm with a full weight slide. 17 lb main in the small pistol calibers and 19 lb in .45 for the large pistol primers.