LHshooter Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 I've decided to bite the bullet and order an Athena and use it in USPSA LO. My first 1911-style pistol, I've always been Glock and Sig P320. I know the pistol comes with a 9# recoil spring but am wondering if those who shoot it have made any changes. At the time I order, I will receive a 10% discount for anything else I buy and already know a few things I will add on. But, I'm not sure if I should get the 5-spring pack or maybe just add an 8# and 10# or maybe not bother at all. If I learn shooters have changed from the 9# I'll see and order something different. Also, Atlas seems to be strong proponents of using the shock buff spacers on the guide rod. Do you continue to use them? Searching on the web I found people say they are a waste, others say they don't last long and others swear by them. Every video I've watched from Atlas shows the shock buff installed so obviously they like them. Thanks, and now I can wait 8 months til I receive my Athena. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomstick303 Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 The only change to the gun was I have added an extended mag release to both. My ammo is running around the 130-135 PF range and I do not feel the gun needs any changes. Return to zero is pretty on point when shooting 0.14-0.16 spilts. I do not have super strong grip strength. I would say its average to slightly above average. If you have slower or super spicy splits I could see where someone might want to play around with recoil springs. I have kept the shock buff and will change them out on a regular interval. Seems like around 2500 rounds is where I am changing the shock buff out. You can definitely feel when they swell. I thought the disconnector was mucked up when the slide was dragging, but it was the shock buff. I know others that run steel grip Atlas guns without them, but I prefer to run them. I would buy extra mag springs and mags for that initial purchase to take advantage of the 10% discount. Recoil springs are relatively cheap in comparison. Over the next 8 months I found watching the maintenance videos that Altas puts out very helpful and they do feel they sell some tools that make working on the guns easier. You do not have to buy the tools through them as they tend to be a bit pricy, but some of them are worth it in my eyes. Atlas will allow you to add stuff to the order to take advantage of that discount as well. Something to keep in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHshooter Posted October 15, 2023 Author Share Posted October 15, 2023 1 hour ago, Boomstick303 said: The only change to the gun was I have added an extended mag release to both. I would buy extra mag springs and mags for that initial purchase to take advantage of the 10% discount. Recoil springs are relatively cheap in comparison. Over the next 8 months I found watching the maintenance videos that Altas puts out very helpful and they do feel they sell some tools that make working on the guns easier. You do not have to buy the tools through them as they tend to be a bit pricy, but some of them are worth it in my eyes. Atlas will allow you to add stuff to the order to take advantage of that discount as well. Something to keep in mind. By extended mag release do you mean the "button" that screws into the tapped mag release? I already plan on buying several mags and springs when I place my order, the shock buffs, and a couple tools I don't have. Saving 10 bucks a mag is a pretty good deal. I've found the videos on the Atlas website to be very informative, especially since I've never had a 1911 before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomstick303 Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 15 minutes ago, LHshooter said: By extended mag release do you mean the "button" that screws into the tapped mag release? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich406 Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 (edited) I use an 8. I run 147gr bullets at 135ish pf. I run the shock buffer and change it every 5k rounds. Edited October 16, 2023 by Rich406 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eidoss Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 On 10/15/2023 at 11:04 PM, Rich406 said: I use an 8. I run 147gr bullets at 135ish pf. I run the shock buffer and change it every 5k rounds. Have you tried closer to 125pf? I keep reading the gun comes out with perfect-zero for factory ammo (135ish). Wondering if I reload closer to 125, how will the gun return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich406 Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 11 minutes ago, Eidoss said: Have you tried closer to 125pf? I keep reading the gun comes out with perfect-zero for factory ammo (135ish). Wondering if I reload closer to 125, how will the gun return. Perfect zero is marketing rubbish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 6 hours ago, Rich406 said: Perfect zero is marketing rubbish. Similar to the Worlds Best Shooting Handguns. They all Perfect Zero if you grip them correctly!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Mitch Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 I usually run an 8lbs recoil spring for 9mm, but I tried a Wolff commander length 10lbs variable in my 4.25” Prodigy recently and it is spectacular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdh821 Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 On 2/5/2024 at 12:31 AM, Rich406 said: Perfect zero is marketing rubbish. On 2/5/2024 at 7:30 AM, RangerTrace said: Similar to the Worlds Best Shooting Handguns. They all Perfect Zero if you grip them correctly!! So you're telling me I was bamboozled into buying an Atlas? I was looking for that perfect zero!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 1 hour ago, Bdh821 said: So you're telling me I was bamboozled into buying an Atlas? I was looking for that perfect zero!! They are great pistols. I just don't of any pistols that have a perfect return to zero without the right grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechGuy1911 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 I run 10lb springs with factory 124 gr and 9lb with 147 competition loads between 130-135 pf. Kept the 17lb MS the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moose76 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 I put in a 8# spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuynh Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Just placed an order for my first Athena, thanks for asking this question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOneTrueAndre Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 I've got a stock one, so... whatever springs are stock. Runs great with anything I put into it, but lately I've been shooting the Blazer 115gr cause its cheap af. I am considering going to some lighter springs and custom loading some mousefart loads, I shoot primarily Steel Challenge so idgaf about power factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevorstuart24 Posted Tuesday at 03:27 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 03:27 PM 7 lbs, with a shock buff, and 135 power factor. For those wondering if they should get an atlas, I’d recommend not. Yes it’s a nice gun but I’ve had a lot of issues getting it to run well(broken barrel link, broken extractor, failure to slide lock, loose grip panels, trigger not fitting properly, and mag catch not properly fit). I’ve seen atlas’ support go down hill over the last couple years. At first support was good and now it’s s#!t. They closed my last support ticket without saying a word. They used to be available for support, even on off hours. Now you get an AI chat bot. Maybe they are just sick of me at this point but for the money, I expected better. For the money you are better off paying someone else to build an actual custom gun. Atlas seems more like Stacatto at this point, except I don’t think they are handling the growing pains well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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