What About Recoil Spring Pads?

[Mick_In_Texas]

I've got twelve recoil spring pads.

Anyone know how these affect any gun? I'm thinking of installing some on my Springers, if not my Rock as well.

Y'all take care and be safe.
Mick

[Hawkmoon]

Recoil spring pads? Ya mean Shok-Buffs? Those little nylon or polymer thingies that fit over the recoil spring guide before you slip the spring on?

Wasn't designed by JMB so a 1911 doesn't need it, unless you shoot a lot of heavier than standard loads. Definitely not recommended for shorter than Government size pistols. I bought a used Para-Ordnance P12.45 that had a lot of cycling problems. When I field stripped it, out came a Shok-Buff. When the pistol was reassembled without the Shok-Buff it ran perfectly.

I might consider throwing one into an aging, historical pistol for test firing purposes just to protect it's value, but I wouldn't leave it in. Just use it as a bit of insurance while function checking a new/old acquisition.

[Lurch37]

The only time I would consider using them is if I was using some high power loads in a full size gov't 1911, say some cor-bons or the like. They are suposed to save your frame from getting battered.

I personally don't use them, but Wilson sells them so maybe I'm missing the boat. I suppose if I were firing 3,000 rounds a month out of the same gun using high power loads then maybe I would try them out.

[John]

I am an known opponent of those gizmos, because I do not believe that those thin plastic parts absorb the impact force in any significant degree. Additionally, it is one more thing that can go wrong (and usually that happens at the worst possible moment).

On a standard 5" 1911, if the recoil spring is replaced at regular intervals, there is no need to use them, the frame is NOT battered more than it has been designed to. If you are firing more powerful loads than the standard, you'd better use a heavier recoil spring.

The only usage of shock buffs that I can see of, is as a diagnostic tool. You put one in your pistol and use it. If after say 1000 rounds, it is still in good shape, then your pistol is working OK (even that is still debatable, since the pistol may be oversprung, it is not undersprung for sure). If the buff is damaged after 300 rounds, then you obviously need a new (perhaps stronger) spring.

Also, if you have a range gun and you just can't resist using them, go ahead, a jam in a match won't get you killed. I would never use them on a carry gun, and especially, in any pistol of less than Government size.

[Baldy]

+1 With El Commandante on this one. They were not in the design of the pistol and see no benefit from them.

[Mick_In_Texas]

GREATLY APPRECIATED, Sirs!!!

Yep, Hawk was correct: that "Shok-Buff" thing... y'all all pretty much understood what I have, anyways.

They're history. I sure don't shoot anything but factory loads 99.9% of the time, and that one time I shot reloads, they were standard charge/lead bullet in the USGI 1911. I so far have only found +P for my Colt's 38 Super Model, but, it's not a carry gun as yet and it is SURE not a nightstand gun (too high-powered with +P and .38Super/.30 cal loads; much prefer the factory .45ACP in JHP for most of my purposes, except range).

Folks, again... I am SO appreciative of y'all's sharing this, and y'all were pretty much 100%. Even on First Lady, my USGI... I don't fire her that much, and not many rounds when I do. She's in perfect shape, anyways, and FOR sure wouldn't feed her anything hotter than a standard load/bullet. Thank y'all.

Additional to John's reply: yessir, it's kind of... a goofy place to put something like that, that is why I wondered.

Hawkmoon: perhaps the most damaging evidence AGAINST using them, in addition to John's.

To all: no sir, Mr. Moses didn't ever think that thing was necessary. Having read his biography and the history of his War Department tests on his designs (the ONLY designer, who ever passed EVERY model at 100% performance, from the 1911 though the 37mm aircraft cannon and ALL his machine gun designs)... reckon that ol' boy KNEW what he was designing.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
Mick