|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
February 13, 2018, 11:43 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
|
On your 1911 how often do you change your recoil spring
I'm shooting a Colt New Agent it's a 3" 1911 45acp . I shoot 50 rounds every week , I reload using a mild load 4.6 gr. of Win 231 230 FMJ bullet. I changed the recoil assembly from a daul spring Colt to a flat single spring full size guide rod by EGW. Works flawlessly. The NA is a lightweight carry pistol , the frame is aluminum not steel . A weak spring can beat up a frame if not changed , so when do you change even though it's running fine ?
|
February 14, 2018, 12:20 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 23, 2005
Posts: 13,195
|
Replacing recoil springs - depends on the mfg's recommendation on life expectancy. I have never used any EGW springs or parts so I don't know what they recommend.
------------- I only have one alloy frame 1911 ...its a 4" in 9mm ...Kimber../ all the rest of my 1911's are 5" steel guns from Wilson in 9mm & .45acp I have changed my 5" guns to Wilsons flat wire springs about 2 months ago and estimated life on their 5" flat wire springs is 40,000 rds ...on my 9mm, that's about 2 yrs. This particular Wilson 5" 9mm is my training gun and primary carry gun, so I noted my log & my calendar to change it out at 18 months. On my 5" .45acp...its now just a backup gun & gets fired very little...maybe 300 rds a year now since I retired it as my carry gun ( arthritis in my hands )... so I'll go 40,000 rds on it. Kimber 4" alloy frame is a gun only my grandkids shoot at range...and it has traditional bull barrel chrome silicone spring in it, that should run 20,000 rds which will be 10 or 15 yrs on it too. |
February 14, 2018, 01:15 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 13, 2006
Posts: 8,283
|
I'm not experienced with a 3 in 1911 at all.The reason is from multiple sources I have been told when you go shorter than Commander length,the "window of operation" gets smaller.
JMB designed in a choreographed dance in the 1911 which involves timing. I can't find the whole article right now,but Bill Wilson wrote one on short barreled 1911's.I do have a link to part of the article http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...-can-reliable/ I do recall he recommended 185 gr bullets. You have one less locking lug slide to barrel,I believe. Between that and a lighter slide,and an alloy frame,I suggest moderate loads and lighter bullets. The lighter slide has higher velocity and a little less stroke.This gives your magazine less time to raise a round. No,I'm not trashing your handgun. I'm saying it demands everything be in tune. A strong hammer mainspring will slow the slide,and a square cornered firing pin stop will also enhance using the hammer to slow the slide....in balance,the hammer pin in the aluminum frame takes more load. A weak mag spring will be a problem. Keep those up,too. And lighter bullets lift a bit easier. Its good to think of the recoil forces hitting your aluminum frame,but they are more robust than the slide stop holes in the aluminum frame that take the impact from the recoil spring flinging the slide. So,IMO,stay with a moderate recoil spring ( In larger steel pistols,I don't generally exceed 18 lb) and then load to the spring. How many rounds to change springs? I just don't know.Wild guess? 3000 rds,but its just a guess. |
February 14, 2018, 09:23 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2006
Location: Great state of Texas
Posts: 1,077
|
I swap my 1911 springs out about every 800-1000rds or so. Yep, it's overkill, and I don't care. I shoot factory or full power 230grn ammo, and $8 every few months to keep a pistol from beating itself to death... seems like a bargain to me.
__________________
_______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot." |
February 14, 2018, 09:37 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
|
Thanks Guys for getting back so soon . It's my first compact 1911 it's a pleasure to shoot, recoil is not sharp , very accurate at 21' that's the distance I shoot. I read articals on the flat bottom FPS to slow the slide an control muzzle rise , may need some fitting to install . Being the gun is running well I didn't think to install . If The Life for the spring is in the thousands I couldn't ask for more , I do keep a log an round count . I'll EGW a call on what the average spring life is . Thanks again .
Chris |
February 14, 2018, 10:05 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2006
Location: Great state of Texas
Posts: 1,077
|
Just FYI, spring life is different between pistols... a 5" Government model typically has a longer recommended spring life than a 4", and again for the 3"... because of the different spring rates between the springs (necessary to compensate for differences in the shorter pistols.) Kimber, for example, lists a specific round count in their literature, Colt may as well.
__________________
_______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot." |
February 14, 2018, 11:22 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 1, 2000
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 8,518
|
On my compact, 500 rounds or annually, whichever comes first.
__________________
Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong. |
February 14, 2018, 11:45 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,148
|
I usually change my springs every 1500-2000 rounds. Luckily springs are cheap enough so it's not a big deal if you wanna change them sooner.
__________________
Flicks just like a lighter, just a different kind of fire. |
February 14, 2018, 11:49 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
|
The flat spring EGW uses is a commander size cut back , I can see how the 3" can get beat to death in a shorter time then the medium or full-size slide 1911's . 500 round count per change is pretty lame but if thats what it is to keep the gun running trouble free ,an 8 dollar spring is better then a damaged frame. I'm going to call EGW to keep some springs on hand. Thanks for answering my post.
Chris |
February 14, 2018, 11:52 AM | #10 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
||
February 14, 2018, 12:13 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
|
Just got off the phone with EGW , Gave them the information as far as the gun , load & bullet I'm shooting . They said the flat wire springs last longer and the round count is between 7 to 10 thousand. I of course will play it safe , I keep records , measured the spring when new an measure every time I clean , no big deal , was thinking of adding a spring gauge to my gun stuff. I'm a benchrest shooter in the warmer months an shoot handgun in the colder months indoor range . I like shooting my Colt New Agent 3" 45acp 1911 so much I will probably shoot benchrest on the weekends & pistol on Thursdays. Life is Good . Thanks again
Chris |
February 14, 2018, 12:15 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 10, 2014
Posts: 1,965
|
I have four 1911s. They are all full size. They are all Series 70 Colt except one and it is a WWII relic. It still shoots. It was a gift from a cousin that did service in that war.
I bought the first one in 1973. All of them are original, meaning that nothing has been changed or modified. They all shoot as they were designed to do. |
February 14, 2018, 01:21 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
|
Dufus
How often do you shoot them ? On 3 out of 4 what do you think the round count is . Are all the frames steel? I'm reading about people change springs do to feeding problems , that I can see . I am just unsure on changing something when it's operating good , This is the first pistol I own with a aluminum frame , I like the pistol very much , it carries well an fires great . Will be shooting it every week 50 rounds. Thanks for answering . Chris |
February 14, 2018, 02:46 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 7, 2006
Posts: 10,979
|
What if you take a good spring out and put a bad spring in?
|
February 14, 2018, 03:02 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 1, 2000
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 8,518
|
I shoot with a guy who used to be a rep for Nighthawk Custom, and he said they would sometimes reject entire lots of springs because they'd found some bad ones.
On my 5" guns, I tend to go with the theory of replace the spring when it's three coils shorter than a new spring of the same rating; I removed the spring from a gun that easily had a thousand rounds on it, and old spring was EXACTLY the same length as the new one, so why change it and risk installing a duff spring?
__________________
Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong. |
February 14, 2018, 03:30 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 16, 2008
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 11,061
|
I have a Cold Series 70 Gold Cup I got new in '76. I've never replaced the spring and I've shot the crap out of it shooting practicing for the AK NG Pistol team. Shot a tone of bullseye, and bowling pin matchs. And many USPSA and 3 gun also.
The only thing I've done to it was replace the finger bushing with an match bushing and replaced the front sight with on that could be staked better then the normal front sight. I still it a lot but I've NEVER had to replace the recoil spring.
__________________
Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071 |
February 14, 2018, 04:18 PM | #17 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2006
Location: Great state of Texas
Posts: 1,077
|
Quote:
__________________
_______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot." |
|
February 14, 2018, 04:24 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2006
Location: Great state of Texas
Posts: 1,077
|
I guess I just have to scratch my head over some of these replies... people will dump money into their firearms... new sights, new barrels, optics, magazines, holsters, the best bullets money can buy... and cheap out over an $8 wear part.
__________________
_______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot." |
February 14, 2018, 04:39 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,634
|
|
February 14, 2018, 04:51 PM | #20 | |
Staff
Join Date: September 25, 2008
Location: CONUS
Posts: 18,458
|
Quote:
The short pistols are very different from the full-size models in this regard. |
|
February 14, 2018, 05:18 PM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 18, 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 1,835
|
A Wilson Combat flatwire recoil spring (FWRS) with the FLGR & plug sized for the smaller ID flatwire recoil spring, has an average service life of up to 40,000 rounds, or up to ten times greater than conventional coil springs. Shooting +P ammunition with this setup is not a problem since flat wire springs don’t lose their length over time like round wire springs. There is evidence that the FWRS setup cushions the 1911 frame more effectively over time. Flat wire springs also tend to compress in a more linear fashion which makes them more tolerant of a wider variety of ammo loads and grip tecniques.
I can attest to all of this, I have a 13lb. FWRS with the full length guiderod & plug, in my STI Trojan 9mm 1911, the gun shoots every type of ammo I have tried beautifully. The gun locks back on empty for every magazine I have for it.
__________________
Words to Live By: Before You Pray - Believe; Before You Speak - Listen; Before You Spend - Earn; Before You Write - Think; Before You Quit - Try; Before You Die - Live |
February 14, 2018, 11:20 PM | #22 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2006
Location: Great state of Texas
Posts: 1,077
|
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
_______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot." |
||
February 15, 2018, 12:29 AM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
|
Aguila Blanca
My 3" 1911 did start out with a daul spring assembly, I changed it to the EGW assembly . The assembly uses a solid steel FLGR a single flat wire spring an a reverse plug . A very nice setup. The Colt assembly fine but was very flimsy. I have spare assembly's springs an e clips from Colt . I have a spare flat spring from EGW. I guess I'm covered on recoil problems for awhile .When I asked Colt Customer service the told me the springs were good for 7000 . As I did some reading is where the count changed . The Colt guide rod assembly looked like a nail that went through the stop plate an held in place with a e clip. Gun is solid but that assembly should have been made stronger. |
February 15, 2018, 12:44 PM | #24 | |
Staff
Join Date: September 25, 2008
Location: CONUS
Posts: 18,458
|
Quote:
|
|
February 15, 2018, 01:11 PM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
|
Colt did have problems with the assembly . Weight wouldn't be that much of difference an if I am willing to pay the difference now on a aftermarket part , I wasn't able to see the assembly before I bought the gun . when I cleaned it for the first time , I was disappointed on how flimsy such an important part of the firearm was . That's the only reason I changed , only shooting the gun will see if I made the right decision .
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|