What weight is your 1911 recoil spring?

Smit · January 3, 2013, 02:40 AM

Folks,

Just wanted to get some opinions/insights on what other people use. I am curious because I currently have (I think) an 18lb Wolff spring in my 1911 right now but seems pretty heavy.

Also,
I have seen numerous shooting instructors who fancy 1911's (specifically Mr. McKee) who seem to have very light recoil springs. I could be wrong as this is my observations through videos, but the manipulation seems very easy with the 1911's used.

jmstr · January 3, 2013, 03:33 AM

I am not a bullseye competitor. I shoot for fun, and to keep up my skills for any future defensive use. I prefer the feel of an 18lb Wolf spring in my 1911s. I can then shoot slightly warm [not plus p] ammo without changing anything. The factory 16lb feels slow/weak, by comparison, in my hand.

I know some use 12lb springs or such, but they also usually reload their own ammo to be slower, and thus don't require the same strength.

For example, the 'stock' .45acp round seems to move around 850-890 fps, with a muzzle energy between 330 and 370 ft/lbs. This is what the 16lb stock spring is designed around, and what I prefer to use an 18lb spring on.

I've seen reloading data that puts the same bullet weight [230gr] down range at closer to 775fps. There are some slower loads also. Anything this slow may require a weaker recoil spring to allow the slide to move properly for reliable cycling.

Just a few thoughts.

1911Tuner · January 3, 2013, 06:48 AM

14 pounds for my carry guns. 16 pounds for my range beaters because I normally run through about 500 rounds per session, and my ammo is filthy. I like strong return to battery when the guns are cacked up. Ammunition is all full-power...230/830 and 200/890. I change springs when the return to battery starts to get sluggish before the end of the session...average about every 5-6k.

My beaters are high mileage. High. The slide and frame impact abutments are fine.

RickB · January 3, 2013, 12:58 PM

My 5" .45s have 14# springs. I use the same set-up for both my "major" competition load, which is 200@850, and for carry (230@850).

pilpens · January 3, 2013, 01:01 PM

My 5" .45 1911 has:
- 16 lb recoil spring.
- 21 lb mainspring.
- squared firing pin stop.
No issues -- but I do not shoot it often; in 2012, I shot approx 100 rounds.

CDW4ME · January 3, 2013, 01:21 PM

My understanding is Dan Wesson Valor and Les Baer UTC ship with 18.5# recoil springs so that would be my replacement choice; when I shoot, I use "full power" ammo.

Brian48 · January 3, 2013, 01:39 PM

I used to use multiple weights depending on the load. They ranged from 10lbs for the really light semi-wad cutters up to 18.5lbs for the hotter stuff. I don't reload as much as I used to so I've standardized on the factory 16lbs these days for all my 1911s chambered for .45acp.

Snake Plissken · January 4, 2013, 01:35 PM

16 lbs ISMI
feels a little stiffer than the original that was in there for years
but works fine nontheless

BigJimP · January 4, 2013, 01:49 PM

In all of my 5" guns in .45 acp - I run 16 lb recoil springs ( even my carry gun, range guns, etc ).

IN all of my 5" guns in 9mm ...I run 12 lb springs...

KyJim · January 4, 2013, 01:51 PM

On my five inch .45s, I run 16 pounds except for an Ed Brown which came with an 18 pound spring and has been 100% reliable with that weight spring. I'm a little hesitant to mess with success but I'll probably change it to 16 pounds the next time I change the recoil spring. Easy enough to change back if there's a problem.

I've got a 22 pound spring in a 10mm (five inch) and a 12 pound spring in a five inch 9mm I shoot.

January 3, 2013, 02:40 AM	#1
Smit Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2012 Posts: 335	What weight is your 1911 recoil spring? Folks, Just wanted to get some opinions/insights on what other people use. I am curious because I currently have (I think) an 18lb Wolff spring in my 1911 right now but seems pretty heavy. Also, I have seen numerous shooting instructors who fancy 1911's (specifically Mr. McKee) who seem to have very light recoil springs. I could be wrong as this is my observations through videos, but the manipulation seems very easy with the 1911's used.

January 3, 2013, 06:48 AM	#3
1911Tuner Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills Posts: 674	Springy 14 pounds for my carry guns. 16 pounds for my range beaters because I normally run through about 500 rounds per session, and my ammo is filthy. I like strong return to battery when the guns are cacked up. Ammunition is all full-power...230/830 and 200/890. I change springs when the return to battery starts to get sluggish before the end of the session...average about every 5-6k. My beaters are high mileage. High. The slide and frame impact abutments are fine. __________________ If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck

January 3, 2013, 01:21 PM	#6
CDW4ME Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 1,321	My understanding is Dan Wesson Valor and Les Baer UTC ship with 18.5# recoil springs so that would be my replacement choice; when I shoot, I use "full power" ammo. __________________ Strive to carry the handgun you would want anywhere, everywhere; forget that good area bullcrap. "Wouldn't want to / Nobody volunteer to" get shot by _____ is not indicative of quickly incapacitating.

January 3, 2013, 01:39 PM	#7
Brian48 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2001 Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA Posts: 1,616	I used to use multiple weights depending on the load. They ranged from 10lbs for the really light semi-wad cutters up to 18.5lbs for the hotter stuff. I don't reload as much as I used to so I've standardized on the factory 16lbs these days for all my 1911s chambered for .45acp. __________________ Proud to have served.

January 3, 2013, 03:33 AM	#2
jmstr Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA Posts: 1,304	I am not a bullseye competitor. I shoot for fun, and to keep up my skills for any future defensive use. I prefer the feel of an 18lb Wolf spring in my 1911s. I can then shoot slightly warm [not plus p] ammo without changing anything. The factory 16lb feels slow/weak, by comparison, in my hand. I know some use 12lb springs or such, but they also usually reload their own ammo to be slower, and thus don't require the same strength. For example, the 'stock' .45acp round seems to move around 850-890 fps, with a muzzle energy between 330 and 370 ft/lbs. This is what the 16lb stock spring is designed around, and what I prefer to use an 18lb spring on. I've seen reloading data that puts the same bullet weight [230gr] down range at closer to 775fps. There are some slower loads also. Anything this slow may require a weaker recoil spring to allow the slide to move properly for reliable cycling. Just a few thoughts.

January 3, 2013, 12:58 PM	#4
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,559	My 5" .45s have 14# springs. I use the same set-up for both my "major" competition load, which is 200@850, and for carry (230@850).

January 3, 2013, 01:01 PM	#5
pilpens Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,696	My 5" .45 1911 has: - 16 lb recoil spring. - 21 lb mainspring. - squared firing pin stop. No issues -- but I do not shoot it often; in 2012, I shot approx 100 rounds.

January 4, 2013, 01:35 PM	#8
Snake Plissken Junior Member Join Date: June 26, 2010 Posts: 5	16 lbs ISMI feels a little stiffer than the original that was in there for years but works fine nontheless

January 4, 2013, 01:49 PM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	In all of my 5" guns in .45 acp - I run 16 lb recoil springs ( even my carry gun, range guns, etc ). IN all of my 5" guns in 9mm ...I run 12 lb springs...

January 4, 2013, 01:51 PM	#10
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,149	On my five inch .45s, I run 16 pounds except for an Ed Brown which came with an 18 pound spring and has been 100% reliable with that weight spring. I'm a little hesitant to mess with success but I'll probably change it to 16 pounds the next time I change the recoil spring. Easy enough to change back if there's a problem. I've got a 22 pound spring in a 10mm (five inch) and a 12 pound spring in a five inch 9mm I shoot.