1911 Recoil Spring Poundage Recomendation

I think - I'm not sure I still have incomplete data from testing - but I think I'm gonna use 4.0 grains of Bullseye with a 200 grain LSWC. Should I use the standard 16 or 16.5 pound recoil spring or should it be lightened to insure function or should it be heavier to absorb some recoil? What is a typical bullseye poundage in the recoil spring?

It matters whether you are shooting irons or a slide mounted optic, what mainspring you are using, as well as whether you have a radiused firing pin stop, but I use a 19lb mainspring with a 19lb recoil spring with iron sights and a lighter load than you are using.

Use the heaviest spring combination that you can that locks the slide back most of the time when the magazine becomes empty.  An undersprung gun will see a different set of function problems (and damage over a longer period of time) just as function problems occur in an oversprung gun (but the gun doesn't get battered with an oversprung gun)

Try a 13# spring for starters. I believe you are using a RO.
Jon

Hey Tim, I have a package of new springs 11lb-15lb I can send you if you wanna pay shipping.  They are even color coded. PM me with mailing info. 

http://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/1911-Recoil-Spring-p/1911-recoil-spring.htm

If I were to lighten the mainspring AND the recoil spring... Won't the gun beat it's self up? It's a Springfield RO. Factory springs with my load above it just about cycles.

If you have the ILS mainspring housing the numbers will be different. Research what you will need. I changed to a housing without ILS BUT don't compete. Could violate the rules.

Tim, you need to find the numerous threads on modifying the guts of the ILS to be more "normal". It only requires 3 standard components and you can use the existing housing.

try this.

replacing guts in ILS

Isn't there a rule about safety's and factory mechanisms working the way the ought to?

It's not a safety.

Can you replace the hammer, sear, trigger?

what about the frame? slide?

maybe the sights?

grips?

If you have concerns, replace with a standard MSH. it's in da rules...

I just tuned my 9mm 5" RO with a Wolff spring kit consisting of 10,11,12,13 & 14 lbs.   The stock 9 lb. spring seemed too light for my 4.5 grn. TG and MG 115 JHP.   The 14 and 13 locked back on the empty mag but the ejected cases sort of "dribbled."  The 12 seemed to throw the cases better and cycled 9 rounds perfectly.  Lockback is important but weak ejection will eventually cause FTE's and stovepipes.  I'd advise against using lockback as the only criterion.

Bigtrout,
Tim's 45 RO will be sprung heavier, but the tuning process is correct.

Tim, the RO spring question has been hashed out a few times on the forum. You can find them via the search function.

Rob Kovach wrote:Bigtrout,
Tim's 45 RO will be sprung heavier, but the tuning process is correct.

Tim, the RO spring question has been hashed out a few times on the forum.  You can find them via the search function.

Right Rob, I was only trying to point Tim toward the process irrespective of caliber.  I want to do a complete range evaluation to see if I got a reduction in group size since the heavier spring should lock the (SA stock) lugs more consistently.  Our range season is being extended with December daytime temperatures in the mild 40's, a real treat.

Don't forget you can tweak the mainspring a little too.  I just dropped my new 45's mainspring from 23 to 20 to clear up the occasional failure to lock back on last round with my short line loads.

- Dave

Dave, did that completely solve the problem?

kc.crawford.7 wrote:Dave, did that completely solve the problem?

It did on my short test, I shot about a dozen rounds of single loaded mags and it locked back every time.  The gun didn't have many rounds through it and I'd guess it should improve even more after a couple 1,000 rounds of break in.  Which I will do the first week the slide is back!  

  -OT   Just like the 9MM you built for me this 45 is a joy to shoot - they will look like a matched set once the slide racker is installed.  The slide should be there on Friday, at least according to tracking.

Thanks again KC!,

- Dave

Got your slide yesterday.  I'll get the lever installed and turned around.  Glad to hear you're happy with both of them.