[Terry Peters]

For all of you avid 1911 afficionado's, how often do you change the recoil springs in your 1911's.

When I used to compete regularly I used to change every two or three thousand rounds.

Now since I am older, greyer and much less time I shoot less but still change every five thousand rounds or so.

I often read on other threads and forums where folks shoot hundreds of thousands of rounds without a malfunction.

Slight internet exaggeration but I am certain some have tried and wonder why.

What is your recommendation for changing recoil springs.

Be safe and keep the brass flying.

Terry Peters

http://www.pt-partners.com

Do your research but you get what you pay for front end or back end.

 

[Shay]

Hi Terry!
I change the recoil spring every 2000 rnds. and I always use the wolf 18.5 pnds. some people may say 2000 rnds is too often but it only costs like a box of ammo and its always better to be sooner then later.

 

[Shane1911]

I agree with Shay. For the minimal cost of a spring, I change mine every 2000- 2500 rds.

I like mine extra-power as well. 20lb. in my commander length pieces.

 

[Guest]

In my 9x23 and 10mm's I change the spring every 2000 rounds and the buffer every 500 rounds.
In my .45's I change it every 4000 rounds and the buffer every 1000 rounds.
In my alloy frame .45's the buffer is changed after each firing session and the springs are changed every 2000 rounds.
The spring rates depend on caliber and slide length. I purchase the springs in 25 packs and the cost is about $5.00 each.

_________________
Thanks,
David

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: David DiFabio on 2001-04-19 15:22 ]</font>

 

[Mute]

Roughly 3000 rounds.

_________________
Alex Tham
"To kill a gopher, you must think like a gopher."

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mute on 2001-04-19 18:48 ]</font>

 

[Hilton Yam]

I change the recoil and FP springs every 4k rds. I use 17 lb Wolff recoil springs with a 19 lb MS, and it makes for a smooth shooting .45.

 

[John Lawson]

You can save some money by not changing springs until they become weaker. I bought a spring measuring scale and holding device from Brownells, and it reads out directly in pounds of tension.
You might also want to go to variable tension springs from Wolff, also listed in Brownells.

 

[gyp_c2]

Why the Variables' John?

 

[Tom Freeman]

I change recoil springs around every 2K. I just tape a new spring to a new case of bullets. Once my 1050 gobbles up another case I know its time. It might be overkill, but at least the gun feels the same all the time. ISMI springs by the way.

Tom
AF Shooting Team

 

[Ken Cook]

Well, okay, you guys give some good answers, and I'd LIKE to say the same, but to tell the truth, I change the springs in mine every year on my birthday. (whether they need it or not.)

I don't count rounds, and guessing by the empty primer trays next to my 650 won't help as I own 3 1911's and don't shoot them all evenly. The birthday thing is easy to remember, (got the idea from smoke alarms) and it seems to work out okay.
I do check overall length on my springs though. I don't really know that this has any real value, but there were GO/NO GO length specifications when I was a Marine Armorer and they seem to hold water now.

 

[jm10mm]

I tune all my pistols so that the brass is ejected about 4 feet out and 4 feet back. When the spring starts to weaken the brass starts going farther back...time to change the spring. Softer loads let the spring last longer. It depends on what you shoot.