I have a Kimber 1911 with everything factory so far. I have felt other 1911's that had easier working slides. My question is if anyone knows how light of a recoil spring can be used for standarn 45ACP loads? I don't want to go too light, and this is the one thing on a 1911 that I have not experimented with yet. The spring in my gun is 16lbs. from the factory.

Any and all input is appreciated.

Gismo

16lbs is kind of on the low side already. I think that they have some 14lbs and maybe lower. Check out wilson combats website. They have complete spring sets that you can order so that you can change springs to suit your loads. I usually run a 18lb in my 1911s. Its sort of middle of the road with enough power to handle the heavier loads, but light enough to cycle low power reloads.

Yeah I checked the wilson springs already and they go as low as 9lbs. I know that is way too low.

I have a wolff variable power 18.5# spring in mine and I can't complain. I don't think it is too difficult to pull back, but that is relative. You might consider variable power springs because initially they pull back considerably less than the full power, i.e. 9-10# half way and then 15# 3/4 way then the full 18.5# all the way back. I am not sure of the exact numbers but the concept is there.

might want to check out this site (http://www.gunsprings.com/Resources/FAQ.htm#1)

You can't really compare guns unless you swap the same spring between them. It takes a while for a new spring to take a set. A 16 lb. spring is good enough for mil-spec ammo (230 grains @ 850 fps) in most 5" guns. 18 lb springs were the in thing a while back, but will beat up the slide stop and barrel feet more on the return stroke. You can feel the difference. If the hammer is down when you rack the slide, mainspring strength and firing pin stop radius come into play. So does magazine spring strength, particularly on a full mag.

I wouldn't go lighter than 14 lbs. with mil-spec loads without a shock-buff. The gamesmen go lighter, but they expect to do some maintenance. Compensators and slide mounted optics increase mass and allow lighter springs too.

There's a whole forum on gun springs at Brian Enos' site.
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=28

The M1911.org site has a couple of sticky threads on the subject. The "Amazing reduction in recoil with a simple part change" thread discusses small radius firing pin stops.
http://forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=58

Bye
Jack

My question is if anyone knows how light of a recoil spring can be used for standarn 45ACP loads? The spring in my gun is 16lbs. from the factory. Any and all input is appreciated. GismoThe standard recoil spring on a Colt 1911 is 16 pounds. This is adequate for all standard velocity factory loadings of around 850 fps. If you're going to load hot, increase the spring pressure. Decrease if you are using light target loads. When I shoot 185 gr. SWC target loads I use the 12 pound recoil spring although I can go as low as 10 pounds. This spring functions well with light target loads but is inadequate for standard velocity loadings. For these, I switch back to the 16 pound spring. Brownell's offers Wolff 1911 recoil springs in a variety of weights to match specific loads.

Everyone is right about springs in the range of 16# for standard 1911 loads. I assume we're talking about a 5" barrel. Best way to judge for your gun and load is to pick a spring that dumps the brass in the vicinity of 6-8 feet away.

Wolfe sells what they call calibration paks (http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/ColtNF.html#1911Recoil) for 1911's that have 5 different spring strengths, but they are a tad pricy.

I also use their variable springs in my Kimbers and run 16.5# springs with my somewhat reduced loads. That's a good place to start if your loads are anywhere near standard.