EricBudd Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 My wife is getting interested in competition shooting (I shoot USPSA and IDPA) and we have started to look for a gun for her. Because of her hand size and the lack of finger groves, she likes the single stack 1911 but she has problems manipulating the slide. She doesn't have a problem with the recoil on my 14.45 (16 pound recoil spring), but she just can't rack the slide easly. What is the lightest combination of recoil spring/main spring that I can use on a gun for her that won't batter the gun or compromise reliability. She has considered a 9mm 1911 or 38 super but I don't reload those and it would put her at a scoring disadvantege in USPSA. She is also looking at a CZ 85 combat in 9mm as an option, but she doesn't like the idea of manually decocking the gun in production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 I also began using a lighter-weight lube oil for the 1911's moving parts that made slide-racking easier, the gun easier to clean and pruduced fewer jams and false starts during matches and even during practice sessions. Made a BIG heck-of-a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cking Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 A 12.5 pound spring should be just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loves2Shoot Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Sti's heavy recoil master is the easier to rack with the most spring protection for a .40 - .45. It takes a bit to get used to but it works well for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoNsTeR Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 12# is pretty darn easy to rack. Don't forget to cock the hammer first too, most of the resistance to racking actually comes from the hammer spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogmaDog Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Use a 17# mainspring, and a 12.5# recoil spring. I've used a 10# (by accident) before, and didn't notice anything bad about it...but I didn't use it for long. Also, it will be easier to rack the slide if your wife cocks the hammer first. Practical at LAMR, but not so in the middle of a stage when she gets a "click!". DD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 For me, right now, it's a 12lb Sprinco in my .40 Trojan. 14 and 16 flip too much. 10lb works, but feels a little harsh. Just burning some rounds in the berm, I didn't notice a performance difference between it and the 12, just feel. Someday, I'll work between them w/ a timer... 12 is real easy for me to rack, and I do cock the hammer first... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CenTX Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 One method of choosing a spring in an article written by dave Koebensky of W.C. Wolff Co. & Brownells GunTechs says: "A fair indicator is how far from the shooter the ejected cases land. Less than three feet you may indicate the need for a lighter spring, while more than six feet may indicate the need for a heavier spring. Keep in mind too light a spring may result in damage to your pistol." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukipsc Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 I use 14lb. pounds afters 700 rounds it has 12lb. It is in STI 2011 Edge, .40 SW, PF is 175 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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