Bluemooncricket Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Anyone have any experience with different springs and followers for 9mm STI's intended to lock back? I'm about to replace the springs in my 126mm mags and am looking for suggestions. I have 4 126's and the factory springs feel inconsistent between them. Has anybody tried a Grams or Taran follower with the intention of slide lock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kk4364 Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 I use grams followers and 11 coil springs on my 140mm and they do lock the slide on last round Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemooncricket Posted March 27, 2016 Author Share Posted March 27, 2016 I use grams followers and 11 coil springs on my 140mm and they do lock the slide on last round Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk Are Grams followers more rigid than stock? My stock followers are almost flimsy feeling at the bottom "skirt". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kk4364 Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 They seem like they are sturdy all the way through Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemooncricket Posted March 27, 2016 Author Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) They seem like they are sturdy all the way through Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk I might as well get a couple to try. I shoot USPSA as well as IDPA so I'm sure they will be useful even if I can't get them to lock back reliably and I have to set 'em up to not lock. Thanks for the replies!! Edited March 27, 2016 by Bluemooncricket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kk4364 Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Hope that helps some Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 If you want them to RELIABLY lock back go factory stock guts. The grams can but as they wear they may or may not continue to. IsMI springs work too but the factory work and are reliable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemooncricket Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 Thanks for the feedback everyone!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucas Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I Just set up my first 2011 in 9mm. It's like the 40 and 45 2011's. Most work fine with STI followers but often I have had to tune the feed lips with the Dawson tool kit, a wise investment. With the 5 tubes I am using for the 9mm, 4 of them lock back and feed with STI followers with spacer. The fifth tube I will tune later. I also purchased a brazos tuned 9mm mag that uses a grams spring and follower, and yes they typically will leave one round left after slide lock. It is rare for this in my experience in the 45 but with the 40's and now 9mm you have to tune the follow. I sand down the ledge that comes in contact with the slide lock pawl. I use a dremel with the small round sanding drum and take the thickness down 1/3 ,then keep going until it works. So far I never run into one that would not work before running out of material. Get the brazos tuning kit, make sure your tubes are to spec or close to start, and you will have a much better time when you get unlucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemooncricket Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 I Just set up my first 2011 in 9mm. It's like the 40 and 45 2011's. Most work fine with STI followers but often I have had to tune the feed lips with the Dawson tool kit, a wise investment. With the 5 tubes I am using for the 9mm, 4 of them lock back and feed with STI followers with spacer. The fifth tube I will tune later. I also purchased a brazos tuned 9mm mag that uses a grams spring and follower, and yes they typically will leave one round left after slide lock. It is rare for this in my experience in the 45 but with the 40's and now 9mm you have to tune the follow. I sand down the ledge that comes in contact with the slide lock pawl. I use a dremel with the small round sanding drum and take the thickness down 1/3 ,then keep going until it works. So far I never run into one that would not work before running out of material. Get the brazos tuning kit, make sure your tubes are to spec or close to start, and you will have a much better time when you get unlucky. I do have the Dawson mag kit and have tuned 7 9mm mags. I have noticed the factory STI springs that I have vary in strength. I was hoping to replace them with a higher quality/more consistent product. I also find the STI follower to be a bit soft. I don't mind tuning, kind of enjoy it actually, but I don't want to waste my time if the end result won't be an improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Hello: Use the Factory STI 140mm springs in the 126mm tubes with factory followers. You can also use ISMI 140mm springs also. Set the feed lips to 0.357" and they will lock the slide back just fine. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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