jtrump Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 (edited) After searching I cannot find a definitive answer. Are ISMI springs actually lighter than listed? Recoil springs "edit" Edited March 13, 2016 by jtrump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I did some test on brand new in the bag Wolff and is is ISMI springs with a spring tester and the wolfs almost dead on and the ISMI one and a half to two pounds short of the weight listed on the bag. Buy a spring tester.they are cheap at about $40 and test them out. It's good to have one around if you have a lot of 1911 springs laying around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtrump Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 Ok thanks will do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Hello: Ok I have found that the Wolff spring have not been as stated on the package. The ISMI and Sprinco are closer to there listed specs. I usually test them after 200 rounds or so. The spring will take a set and it will give you the spring weight that they are. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtrump Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 Eric, What have you found out about the wolff springs, over or under sprung from what was written on the package? And what does the ISMI do after say 200 rounds according to your spring tester? Because this goes against pretty much everything I've heard about wolff and ISMI? Just covering all bases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echotango Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 After 2000(gun#1) and 5000(gun#2) rounds my Wolff springs are still spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Hello: I bought about 5 Wolff recoil springs a couple of years ago and tested all of them. Everyone was different and they were heavier than what was stated on the package. I then bought 5 ISMI recoil springs and tested all of those and they were very close to what the package said. I ran the springs and checked them again. They were a little shorter but almost right on there stated weight. The Wolff springs shortened quickly and the weight was all over the place still. I understand Wolff make chrome silicon springs now since ISMI did that years ago to get some of the market back I guess. I have been told that Sprinco test all there springs but I have only used two of their springs and they were correct and still lighter than Wolff springs for the same weight listed on the package. I guess it really does not matter to some if they put in a 10lb spring and it works for them but if they replace that spring with a new one that says 10lbs but feels different then what? I test my springs before they go in and about every 4 months to see what they are. I also test it when I change it out for a new one. I am not trying to start a spring war but this is what I found out personally. So my conclusion is if you like to test stuff, is buy or make a spring tester and use it like a comparator so you replace your spring you like, with one that is the same. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtrump Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 Thanks Eric, Anyone had similar, or varying results to the above? Right now I'm using a 12lb variable wolff spring and it still seems to heavy for the 169PF load of n320 I'm running, I ordered some 11lb springs to see if that will help.. I just want a consistent spring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echotango Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I will try ismi next time. I'm not tied to any spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21 shooter Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I did some test on brand new in the bag Wolff and is is ISMI springs with a spring tester and the wolfs almost dead on and the ISMI one and a half to two pounds short of the weight listed on the bag. Buy a spring tester.they are cheap at about $40 and test them out. It's good to have one around if you have a lot of 1911 springs laying around Do you have a link to the one you have? It would be helpful to have one. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I did some test on brand new in the bag Wolff and is is ISMI springs with a spring tester and the wolfs almost dead on and the ISMI one and a half to two pounds short of the weight listed on the bag. Buy a spring tester.they are cheap at about $40 and test them out. It's good to have one around if you have a lot of 1911 springs laying around Do you have a link to the one you have? It would be helpful to have one. Thanks. here ya go https://www.dillonprecision.com/secure-firearms-products-1911-recoil-spring-tester_8_30_25940.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21 shooter Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Thank you sir. I don't know how I missed that in the Dillon catalog. I've got springs for 1911's and Glocks I want to test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtrump Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Ahh very good, I need to pick one of those up to double check for when I find "THE right" spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetdriver71 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I run SV springs in my 1911-2011. Spot on and pretty consistent. Try those too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtrump Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 Damn now I have to order more springs! I've got enough springs to re-spring every 1911 I have like 12 times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayUSPSA81 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I run ISMI springs and I haven't had any problems. Just buy extras and keep them around of both brands. Springs are cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge40 Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Damn I guess I need to get a spring tester. Really too bad you can't buy a spring and count on the fact that it is what they say it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 I used ISMI recoil springs for several years and I liked them. However, if I ran them (40sw Ltd pistol, 5inch) past 4 thousand rounds I had some problems. I had two break up near the muzzle end. One was at the Gator Classic. I was shooting with Bobby Keigans (FGW) team. I had a replacement spring (ISMI) in my bag, but when Bobby checked it he discovered that the spring was binding (it was a little to long) and that was causing them to break. If I replaced them at 3 thousand, then I did not have any problems. The Wolff springs do not bind and I can run them 5 thousand plus with no issues. I realize that recoil springs do not cost much, so replacing them after 3K is not a problem. Both springs are 12 pound and I run a CP Buff. Just letting you know what I have experienced. Ronj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Anytime you replace a recoil spring you need to check for spring stacking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 if the springs are binding/stacking before the slide gets to full travel then you need to cut the appropriate number of coils off so it's the correct length. This is the case with all springs. they are generally all a little over length to ensure they'll fit the longest possible setup. anything short of that needs some coils cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaylanGivens Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I used ISMI recoil springs for several years and I liked them. However, if I ran them (40sw Ltd pistol, 5inch) past 4 thousand rounds I had some problems. I had two break up near the muzzle end. One was at the Gator Classic. I was shooting with Bobby Keigans (FGW) team. I had a replacement spring (ISMI) in my bag, but when Bobby checked it he discovered that the spring was binding (it was a little to long) and that was causing them to break. If I replaced them at 3 thousand, then I did not have any problems. The Wolff springs do not bind and I can run them 5 thousand plus with no issues. I realize that recoil springs do not cost much, so replacing them after 3K is not a problem. Both springs are 12 pound and I run a CP Buff. Just letting you know what I have experienced. Ronj How did Bobby check to determine that the spring was too long? Could he feel it binding somehow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IFlynn Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 I was having feed issues with a wolf 17lb mainspring, so I switched to an ISMI 17lb mainspring and it's much lighter, but my feed issues are gone and the 5" STI is now time correctly and reliability has been fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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