How often do you replace your spring in your 1911?

[GammaWolf]

When returning from a recent shooting trip to Arizona, I just realized that I've had my 1991 series 80 Colt Commander for ten years now and it's still has the same 20lb Wilson Combat spring within the slide. I know that spring doesn't have as much strength anymore, which brings me to ask the question, when do you replace your spring? Is there a guideline? Or do you do it when it starts to jam? No problems with my Colt thus far. Appreciate your thoughts.

[John]

Do your gun a favor and don't use those 20 lbs springs in them (I have to admit I was using these too, but read on).

According to ... very knowledgeable sources, order a Wolff 32-coil GM spring and trim it to 23.5 to 24 coils. The added preload in the Commander usually produces a 16.5 to 17 pound spring. Good strong ejection with cases landing about 4-5 feet from the gun. Be sure to check for coil bind whenever using this technique.

Then you can add an EGW firing pin stop and have a very sweet shooting Commander.

Springs are supposed to be changed, I change mine every 2500 rounds (I admit I am not religious on the count).

[jridg]

It also depends on the recoil system. Springfield customer service has told me that the outer spring on the champ and micro compact (dual spring system) is meant to be changed every 5000 rounds. I don't buy that as I ended up having to change it at right on 2500 rounds.

[GammaWolf]

Do your gun a favor and don't use those 20 lbs springs in them (I have to admit I was using these too, but read on).

According to ... very knowledgeable sources, order a Wolff 32-coil GM spring and trim it to 23.5 to 24 coils. The added preload in the Commander usually produces a 16.5 to 17 pound spring. Good strong ejection with cases landing about 4-5 feet from the gun. Be sure to check for coil bind whenever using this technique.

Then you can add an EGW firing pin stop and have a very sweet shooting Commander.


A long time ago when I first bought it, it kept jamming on me. In retrospect it was for a variety of reasons - range ammo being the biggest and I probably was limp wristing it too. When I told a gunsmith in San Diego about my the jamming situation, he recommended the 20lb spring. I'll take your advice and order a Wolff 32 Coil GM spring. So you just count the coils and subtract 8, and cut it with pliers, right? It's that simple?

Forgive my naivete, but what's the purpose of the EGW firing pin? How will that help the Colt shoot better?

[GammaWolf]

It also depends on the recoil system. Springfield customer service has told me that the outer spring on the champ and micro compact (dual spring system) is meant to be changed every 5000 rounds. I don't buy that as I ended up having to change it at right on 2500 rounds.

I appreciate the input. I know I've put at least 2,500 rounds through it, so it's about time for a new recoil spring. Thanks again.