Aircooled6racer Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Hello: I had some time today to do a little project I have wanted to do for quite a while. I made a recoil spring tester. I have been running different recoil springs in different pistols to find what I like. The problem is that the package says one thing and the feel is different for the same weight spring in the same pistol. Was I getting springs that were packaged wrong-- yes I was. That is why I made the tester. I can check the springs to see what they actually are, not trusting the package. I found out you learn alot quickly when you can test the springs yourself. I found that some springs are as printed and some are not. I also found out that the springs lose there spring rate faster than I thought they would. I hope this helps some others out who have said "I replaced the recoil spring with the same weight spring and it feels different". Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feenz Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Hello: I had some time today to do a little project I have wanted to do for quite a while. I made a recoil spring tester. I have been running different recoil springs in different pistols to find what I like. The problem is that the package says one thing and the feel is different for the same weight spring in the same pistol. Was I getting springs that were packaged wrong-- yes I was. That is why I made the tester. I can check the springs to see what they actually are, not trusting the package. I found out you learn alot quickly when you can test the springs yourself. I found that some springs are as printed and some are not. I also found out that the springs lose there spring rate faster than I thought they would. I hope this helps some others out who have said "I replaced the recoil spring with the same weight spring and it feels different". Thanks, Eric Well let's see it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted June 28, 2007 Author Share Posted June 28, 2007 Hello; I will take some pics then will have to figure out how to post them. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 I would appreciate a bit of detail on what you found testing these various springs if you have the time to post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockster35 Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 I would love to hear the results of your specific testing. I am still running the stock spring in my .45 Springer, and I know I can probably go much lighter than it is now. I do tend to fire off the shelf ammo for it now, and am using a WC recoil buffer with the stock 2 piece guide rod. Any suggestion on spring weight and maker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzdraw Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Making quality springs is both art and science. The recoil spring in a semi-auto takes a lot of beating. The material must be correct, the method correct and the stress relief correct. A spring stressed past its design limits dies quickly. When checking for spring rate, be sure do it within the gun's operating spec's for valid results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny hill Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 When testing them out at tripps last summer, we found that the wolff's @ 12lb took a set to about 9 1/2 lb after about 50 rds fired. The 12# ismi took a set to 10 3/4 to 11lb after 50 rds. Virgil has a dandy tester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzdraw Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 ISMI uses chrome silicon wire; Wolff uses music wire. Chrome silicon is by far the more superior material. There are different qualities of chrome silicon. The right wire must be chosen for the application, then properly shaped and stress relieved. Just the name "chrome silicon" doesn't guarantee a superior product, but it's a good start. Lacking a spring tester, anther method is to keep a new uninstalled spring on hand, identical to the one you put in service in your gun. When the spring in your gun has shrunk 2 full coils or more, as evidenced by comparison with your specimen, it's time to replace it. If the spring in use dies really quick, like 50 rounds, I'd suggest you try a different brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elenius Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 I tried a 13# Wilson and a 14# ISMI in my 1911. The ISMI was MUCH lighter (just by how it felt, no measurement). I ended up where I started, with my 16# stock Kimber spring, which is the only one of the three that reliably feeds lead bullets in my gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Scott Mulkerin of SDM Fabricating used to make a recoil spring tester. If enough of us ask him, he might make another batch of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Scott Mulkerin of SDM Fabricating used to make a recoil spring tester. If enough of us ask him, he might make another batch of them. I'd be up for one of those...and a mainspring tester if he could do a combo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck-IL Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 No tools required, homemade spring tester... Parts needed are: - 12 inches of 1/4 inch thread-all bar - 2 fender washers that fit on the bar - A 1/4" stop nut or 2 nuts to jam together - A small turnbuckle, 1/4" thread at one end and an eye or hook at the other - Fish gauge ($6 - $8 at Dick's, Cabela's, etc.) Stop nut on the end, fender washer, stick the spring in, another fender washer and then the eye hook ... pull it through a vise so that the eye hook protrudes from one side and the rest is on the opposite side. Pull the eye hook with the gauge until the right compression is achieved...as accurate as the quality of the gauge allows. Mark the rod at about 1.6 inches above the stop nuts - the approx length when compressed in a 5" 1911. Wrap 2 turns of wide clear packaging tape around the threads so the springs don't catch on the threads. At least with mild Bullseye loads, the Wolff springs last an amazingly long time. /Bryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefano Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Hello; I will take some pics then will have to figure out how to post them. Thanks, Eric I can't wait to see it ! ! ! I've wished to build a device such this till I've started shooting ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Mays Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 Several of us have put together our own spring testers. More details in this thread: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...c=52845&hl= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CenTX Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 Don't just check the spring weight, also check for coil bind. If you use a buff, put it on when you check for coil binding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
action pistol Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 CenTX: Do you have the original instructions for the SDM spring tester? I have the tool but lost the instructions during a move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY BARONE Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 The open-end of the spring goes on the rod first then the spacer. The first groove on the rod is the closed reading the second is coil bind and open reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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