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Old August 10, 2016, 12:16 PM   #1
IMTHDUKE
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Absolutely ridiculous .....no recoil spring

I hear all about how Kimbers are not up to par with Colt from so many, yet Kimber does have parts available. I have a Colt Defender made in 1999....need a recoil spring....none available on third party sites like Brownells, Midway, etc. Call Colt and they essentially tell me too bad...they can't get one.

Ok....I ask if I can use a sub from a Kimber or other officers 1911. Of course, they don't know. So I need some help. Has anyone tried to use a Kimber or another recoil assembly in a Defender? Anyone have any advice on this issue. Thanks
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:21 PM   #2
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you might check with Cylinder & Slide and see what they have to say
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:23 PM   #3
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Thanks...but CSlide are out of stock.
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:25 PM   #4
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To my knowledge Colt Defenders are 3" barrels...1911's / some models in .45 acp and at least one in 9mm....and I'm sure the springs are different for the .45 acp vs the 9mm in terms of weight.

Colt should be able to tell you what weight spring is installed or recommended in their guns / or this model in particular ...and then just do a search for 1911 springs in Brownells...and they will have some options - usually in a variety of spring weights.

You don't need a Colt spring for a Colt....or a Kimber spring for a Kimber... / personally I use either Wilson Combat or Brownells ( Wolf springs ) in all of my 1911's. You obviously have other 1911's ...so maybe I'm missing something...

I just did a search on 3" 1911 springs in Brownells...and they show some for the Colt Defender in stock...??
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:29 PM   #5
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The spring is 22lb...but no one has.
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:34 PM   #6
BigJimP
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Brownells lists both an inner and an outer recoil spring for the Defender...but it doesn't say what spring weight is in online catalog...but you could call Brownells and ask them certainly. Since its for the Defender specifically ...I would think its worth trying ...

but up to you of course...
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:37 PM   #7
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OK...Thanks so much....I HAVE FOUND ONE....at Wolf spring ....I call they were so nice and helpful.....Thanks for all the help.....
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:38 PM   #8
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good ... ( buy 2 or 3 )....
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:38 PM   #9
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Have you tried a Wilson Combat? They do list a 3.5” 24lb recoil spring not sure if that would work.

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Conventi.../products/577/
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:39 PM   #10
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BTW...posted on several gun boards and by far...the Firing Line...overwhelmingly more helpful replies....this is my favorite board...thanks
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:40 PM   #11
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:40 PM   #12
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Oops. Guess you found one while I was posting hope it works out.
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:46 PM   #13
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Sorry for the rant...guess I was just surprised at how unhelpful and seemingly unconcerned Colt was.
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Old August 10, 2016, 12:52 PM   #14
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I can find Glock recoil springs in stock literally everywhere I look.
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Old August 10, 2016, 01:46 PM   #15
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"...Of course, they don't know..." Why would expect Colt tech people to know anything about Kimbers?
"...seemingly unconcerned Colt was..." Don't think there's much doubt Colt is unconcerned. They can sell everything they make just because of the name. Mind you, in my experience, the Colt sales reps are fabulous people. Let you play with their toys and sometimes provide the ammo too.
Anyway, like BigJimP says, you don't need a Colt spring for a Colt.
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Old August 10, 2016, 02:07 PM   #16
BigJimP
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Wolf is a good mfg of springs...and a good source / so glad you found it.

Springs for 1911's shorter than 4.25" ...are more difficult to find...so that's why I suggested you buy more than one - so you have it.

Personally I keep 4 or 5 recoil springs ( whatever weight I like for each 1911 I have ...mostly 5" guns...but some in 9mm( 12 - 13#), some in .45 acp (16#) )...and 4 or 5 firing pins springs...and a few main springs ( hammer strut spring ). They aren't expensive / easy to store...
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Old August 10, 2016, 03:36 PM   #17
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Hi, T. O'Heir,

If I understand the OP, the gun is a Colt, so one would think Colt would have parts.

Jim
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Old August 10, 2016, 04:52 PM   #18
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The Colt Defender is still listed on Colt's website, its ridiculous that they couldn't help you
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Old August 10, 2016, 05:08 PM   #19
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Colt is a union shop after all.
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Old August 10, 2016, 08:30 PM   #20
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Colt does not sell parts directly -- they sell through the large gunsmith distributors such as Brownells. Brownells has the listing, but they are currently out of stock:

http://www.brownells.com/schematics/...er-sid145.aspx

Note that for the Defender you don't buy a spring, you buy a complete assembly. That's not unusual -- the recoil assembly for Para-Ordnance 3" pistols is the same way.



You probably can't use either springs or recoil assemblies for Officers ACP or any other 3-1/2" pistols. I would expect the spring to compress into a solid before the slide has fully retracted, and that has a tendency to break things.
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Old August 10, 2016, 09:23 PM   #21
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Wolf has Defender springs in stock.

Reduced Power...: 17 Lb.
Factory Standard.: 19 Lb.
Extra Power........: 21 & 23 Lb

All around $9.00
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Old August 11, 2016, 06:50 AM   #22
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When I need springs, I just go to Wolf. This company always has what I need. Thank heaven for Wolf!
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Old August 11, 2016, 10:34 AM   #23
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Yep +1 for Wolff springs. Glad you were able to pick up a new spring, I just hope it fits your assembly. Good luck.
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Old August 12, 2016, 12:45 PM   #24
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Duke --

I feel your pain... the older, sub commander size 1911's have some odd features, parts and such that are not or are minimally supported these days.

I have 2 officers model Colts with the aftermarket King's guide rod set up except the springs for it are now also hard to find to nonexistent. The Wilson 24 pound flat wire spring SEEMS to work in this application per multiple sources and my own trials but I am only at about 800 rounds so I would not consider that a statement of certainty in an absolute form.

Just another reason to curse the mini 1911....
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Old August 14, 2016, 08:04 PM   #25
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Wolff springs for all my Colt needs. Mustang , Defender , Officer, Commander or Government. That's where I go first.


My Colt Officer is 1995 Its one of my favorite carry pistols and the factory recoil plug set up still working fine. I think that was a over hyped problem. That made some people a lot of money.
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