Kimber Compact 4" recoil spring advise

[wildon1911s]

If you happen to have a Kimber 4" with a compact frame and are planning on purchasing recoil springs from Wilson Combat, make sure to order the 24# Officer Model springs #10CO24.
The reason is the catalog has Kimber listed with the Wilson and Springfield 4" compacts. #10SC20-20lb and #10SC22-22lb These springs will go solid in your gun and would require cutting quiet a bit off of them to make them fit. The ones for the Officer Model are the same diameter and length as the stock ones from Kimber.
We have brought this up to their attention and I called Wolff Gunsprings and confirmed this with them as they supply Wilson's with their springs.

[Kruzr]

I wonder if they make them to Wilson specs. I've used many Wolff springs in my Pro CDP and never had to clip one. I get the full diameter Officer's size at 22#.

[wildon1911s]

I wonder if they make them to Wilson specs. I've used many Wolff springs in my Pro CDP and never had to clip one. I get the full diameter Officer's size at 22#.

No, it was a mistake by Wilson's. It is my understanding that Wolff ships the springs out to Wilson Combat and they remove them from the Wolff package and put them in their own, then catalogs them differently.

On Wolff's website when clicking on Kimber Compact 4" models it redirects you to Colt Officer's springs. That is the correct spring, it has no mention of the Springfield or Wilson compact 4" in this category as they use the longer spring that will not work in the Kimber Compat 4".

[swampertwo]

When I talked to Wolff, they stated that their recommendation was a 20# for the Springfield Compact with 1 coil cut off-they sell as part #49320.
Brownells just listed a new replacement spring in the newest supplement to their catalog, too (just don't have the number close right now)

[John]

When I talked to Wolff, they stated that their recommendation was a 20# for the Springfield Compact with 1 coil cut off-they sell as part #49320.
Brownells just listed a new replacement spring in the newest supplement to their catalog, too (just don't have the number close right now)
Tsk, tsk, tsk, blessed with such a wild selection, you get puzzled. Wolff, ISMI, Wilson, etc. Tsk, tsk, tsk!

[jmclainaz]

I own a Kimber Compact and am wondering what are the perceived benefits of using Wilson springs (or other high-quality aftermarket springs) rather than Kimber springs?

thanks
cheers
Jack

[swampertwo]

My understanding is that Kimber utilizes Officer/compact 22# springs that do not reach their rated load on recoil, allowing some frame/slide hammering.
Using the Wolff recommended SA Compact spring loads it a little better and keeps the battering down.
That said, Wolff also recommends recoil spring change out 1000-1200 rounds for the 4" or Pro models and 800-1000 for the Ultras.

John, look at all we're saving you from :D Pretty thoughtful of us, isn't it?

[John]

My understanding is that Kimber utilizes Officer/compact 22# springs that do not reach their rated load on recoil, allowing some frame/slide hammering.
Using the Wolff recommended SA Compact spring loads it a little better and keeps the battering down.
That said, Wolff also recommends recoil spring change out 1000-1200 rounds for the 4" or Pro models and 800-1000 for the Ultras.

John, look at all we're saving you from :D Pretty thoughtful of us, isn't it?
Right, right. At least some thoughtful souls have provided me with enough springs to last me a life time. Remember, mine is a full-size, so I do not have to change springs that often.

Rgds

[Sifu]

Dave (very knowledgable) at the Wolff Springs Co. agrees with Swampertwo in that the 22lb spring Kimber installs in their 4" Compact model is underated. It was designed for 3 1/2" barrel, e.g. Para P12 and is rated for 800 rds max. Wolff is still supplying Kimber with springs so whether you buy direct from Wolff or from Kimber, you are getting a Wolff spring. For the 3" Kimber, Wolff recommends their high perfomance #51821 21lb. spring over the standard # 51818 18lb. spring shipped from Kimber because of the shorter battery travel.