3djedi Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 IS there any benefit of changing the main spring or firing pin spring on a 2011? How or what does it help? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bountyhunter Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 (edited) Using the lightest main spring reduces trigger pull weight. It also makes the gun unlock from battery faster which reduces cycle time. Firing pin spring: stronger spring makes the FP retract faster to prevent primer drag, but too strong of a spring eats up hammer strike energy and can cause misfires. It's all a matter of getting all the springs in balance. Edited March 29, 2015 by bountyhunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 (edited) Is there a general go to spring weight that people use? Recoil/mainspring/firing pin I've changed Recoil springs but never messed with the others...... Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk Edited March 29, 2015 by 3djedi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeandmirrors Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I think the consensus would be around 11 pounds for the recoil spring and 19 pounds for the mainspring. I just used whatever spring Matt McLearn put in the bag with his extended firing pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeandmirrors Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I know of some 2011 shooters using lighter recoil springs for steel loads, but almost everyone I've spoken with on the subject uses a 19 pound mainspring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Thanks! Anybody know what the stock main spring is in stock sti 2011's? Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeandmirrors Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I think my Edge had a 21 pound spring in it from the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeandmirrors Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 http://stiguns.com/sti-safeties/ They list their kit as coming with either a 15 or 19 pound mainspring. I think I may have been 2 pounds off on my numbers; 17 pounds is the go-to for 2011 mainspring weight. Hopefully someone else will corroborate this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Thanks! Anybody know what the stock main spring is in stock sti 2011's? Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk 15#http://www.shootersconnectionstore.com/STI-Spring-Main-P826.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gng4life Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 http://stiguns.com/sti-safeties/ They list their kit as coming with either a 15 or 19 pound mainspring. I think I may have been 2 pounds off on my numbers; 17 pounds is the go-to for 2011 mainspring weight. Hopefully someone else will corroborate this. The 17 lb spring is a good compromise, I have some with 15 and 17 lb springs (Open 2011s, the stock .45 1911s have the 19). When set up correctly with the right parts, they light off the hardest primers out there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 From previous posts on the site I think that 17lb mainspring is the popular favorite. Recoil springs vary all over, depending on the caliber and load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I use a 17 lb in my 9mm and .40 but a 19 lb in my .45. A 17 lb spring resulted in some primers that wouldn't pop in .45 and the difference is negligible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 If you have a lightened slide would you want a lighter or heavier recoil spring as compared to full weight edge type slide? Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bountyhunter Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Is there a general go to spring weight that people use? Recoil/mainspring/firing pin I've changed Recoil springs but never messed with the others...... Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk I thought 19# was the most common mainspring (hammer spring) for a single stack 1911 but recoil sprig depends on a lot of factors like caliber and ammo power. Edited March 31, 2015 by bountyhunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Lightened slide generally means lighter recoil spring as there is less mass to control. But the load you're shooting has a role in correct spring selection too. 17lb mainspring seems to be most popular amongst 2011s I've seen. It does work in conjunction with recoil spring too in terms of lock time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASE772 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Wolff 17# have always worked well for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) I have 17, 18 and 19lb mainsprings. With a Ti FP I got light primer strikes. I'm currently using a 19lb mainspring with a SS FP and a safe, reliable 2.25lb trigger. Added later: I always use an extra strength FP spring, just in case. Edited March 31, 2015 by zzt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 17 lbs main Use the firing pin spring that usually comes with the recoil spring Clean the tunnel and replace when u replace recoil spring or when u see primer drag marks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimo-Hombre Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I agree on the 17 pound main. If you go lighter looking for a lighter trigger pull you may have reliability issues, as others have stated. Good advice i have gotten is to have a good smith do the trigger for you to get the pull you desire without compromising reliability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 I'm currently using stock main spring and a 13lb recoil spring. I'm getting a little bit of muzzle dip so I bought an 11 and 12lb spring to try. I haven't got around to ordering a main spring. Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWard79 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 You can reduce the weight of the springs to a point (dependent on your load), but just because it works doesn't mean it's reliable. Every gun is different, depending on the slide weight and load. Best advice would be to pick up a few springs that cover the spectrum, and test them out with your load. As mentioned before, the recoil spring weight should be adjusted to allow the sight to return to the original point of ignition (without forcing the sights low or high). This is subjective because the amount of force you apply to the grip when firing will also effect the sights returning to point of aim. With a strong grip a lighter recoil spring will provide a flatter cycle, but the lock time may feel slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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