The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

Gary Wells · August 22, 2011, 09:15 AM

Handgun Recoil Spring Recommendations: 07-13-2011

Currently in my handguns:
1) Springfield Armory Trophy Match: S/N XXXX. Wolff V.R. 16.5 #
2) Les Baer Premier II: S/N: XXXX. Wolff V.R. 16.5 #
3) Jim Hoag Long-Slide: S/N: XXXX. Wolff V.R. 16.5 #

4) Ed Brown Executive Target: S/N XXXX: Original Issue non-V.R. 16.5 #.
(1) Recoil spring replacement: Every 1K-2K rounds. (EB # 9165-G). (2) Firing pin spring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 908). (3) Mainspring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 919). (4) Correctly match recoil spring to the load being shot. (5) No Shok-buffs. (6) Ejected brass should land 8-12 feet away. (7) If brass is falling within a few feet, the spring is too heavy for that load. (8) If brass is falling beyond the 12 feet, the spring is too light for that load.

W. C. Wolff Gunsprings recommended data:
If cases are landing in the 3 ft-6 ft: recoil spring is approximately correct
If cases are landing less than 3 ft: recoil spring is too heavy for that load
If cases are landing beyond the 6 ft-8 ft: recoil spring is too light for that load

5) Wilson Combat Classic SG: S/N: XXXX. Original Issue non-V.R. 17.0 #.
WC 5” .45 autos are shipped with a 17 lb spring.
All Wilson Combat recoil spring on-line blog recommends a 15 lb.-18.5 lb. spring
Recommended recoil spring replacement: (mechanical failures / issues)
(1) Return to battery failure. (2) Torn Shok-buff within a few hundred rounds of installation. (3) ½” or more shorter than a new one. (4) Purchase of a second-hand gun. (5) Ejection - extraction pattern changes suddenly.

Integrated Spring Management Inc. (ISMI) recommendation for recoil spring replacement: “The recoil spring should be changed, at the latest, when it has lost .500” of free length from new. At this point, the spring has suffered a considerable reduction in load exerted at installed length. (When the gun is in battery).“

FWIW, IMHO, & HTH

August 22, 2011, 09:15 AM	#35
Gary Wells Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2009 Posts: 180	Handgun Recoil Spring Recommendations: 07-13-2011 Currently in my handguns: 1) Springfield Armory Trophy Match: S/N XXXX. Wolff V.R. 16.5 # 2) Les Baer Premier II: S/N: XXXX. Wolff V.R. 16.5 # 3) Jim Hoag Long-Slide: S/N: XXXX. Wolff V.R. 16.5 # 4) Ed Brown Executive Target: S/N XXXX: Original Issue non-V.R. 16.5 #. (1) Recoil spring replacement: Every 1K-2K rounds. (EB # 9165-G). (2) Firing pin spring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 908). (3) Mainspring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 919). (4) Correctly match recoil spring to the load being shot. (5) No Shok-buffs. (6) Ejected brass should land 8-12 feet away. (7) If brass is falling within a few feet, the spring is too heavy for that load. (8) If brass is falling beyond the 12 feet, the spring is too light for that load. W. C. Wolff Gunsprings recommended data: If cases are landing in the 3 ft-6 ft: recoil spring is approximately correct If cases are landing less than 3 ft: recoil spring is too heavy for that load If cases are landing beyond the 6 ft-8 ft: recoil spring is too light for that load 5) Wilson Combat Classic SG: S/N: XXXX. Original Issue non-V.R. 17.0 #. WC 5” .45 autos are shipped with a 17 lb spring. All Wilson Combat recoil spring on-line blog recommends a 15 lb.-18.5 lb. spring Recommended recoil spring replacement: (mechanical failures / issues) (1) Return to battery failure. (2) Torn Shok-buff within a few hundred rounds of installation. (3) ½” or more shorter than a new one. (4) Purchase of a second-hand gun. (5) Ejection - extraction pattern changes suddenly. Integrated Spring Management Inc. (ISMI) recommendation for recoil spring replacement: “The recoil spring should be changed, at the latest, when it has lost .500” of free length from new. At this point, the spring has suffered a considerable reduction in load exerted at installed length. (When the gun is in battery).“ FWIW, IMHO, & HTH Last edited by Gary Wells; August 22, 2011 at 04:47 PM.