Recoil Spring in Colt .38 Super:

[10851Man]

One of my officer's has a Colt .38 Super, which was once our agency's issued duty pistol from 1965 to 1971, replacing the Colt Commando .38 Special that had been in service since 1951 and just before the switch to Colt .45 ACP in 1972.

Aside for the interesting history, my question is what recoil spring should I use to replace the factory unit???

Thanks...Robert

[log man]

By referring to the Wolff website the factory standard for 38super is 14#

LOG

[10851Man]

Thanks, Log...

Now, with +P duty loads, would it be prudent to go up to a 15 or 16 lb spring???

[RickB]

All .38 Super loads are "+P"; the cartridge for comparison is the old .38 ACP, rather than a lighter .38 Super load.

[wichaka]

Thanks, Log...

Now, with +P duty loads, would it be prudent to go up to a 15 or 16 lb spring???

If there were more duty load offerings, I'd be tempted to carry one on duty.

[kenhwind]

If there were more duty load offerings, I'd be tempted to carry one on duty
I consider the .38 Super to be an excellent cartridge, and certainly suitable for law enforcement except as posted.
Choices are slim indeed Winchester 125 gr Silver Tip Hollow Point is about it.

Cor-Bon makes a hot load, the ones I shot you could tell they are, the cases were scrape after one firing. Some of them split, although they had been in the closet for several years and I finally shot them to use them up. Been reloading the Super for years and wasn't impressed with the empty brass al all.

[SGT405]

I have a Caspian custom in Commander size in 38super that I carry sometimes. Aside from the Silvertips, the only other load worth carrying is Georgia Arms. They make a 124gr and 147gr GolDot loading. I use the 124gr at appr.1400fps with a 16# rs.

[10851Man]

Thanks, Sgt...

[wichaka]

Speer doesn't make any factory loaded Gold Dot, but do they offer the Gold Dot bullets for reloading?

[kenhwind]

By referring to the Wolff website the factory standard for 38super is 14#
I cannot help but think that with the energy that the Super produces a 16# recoil spring is fine.
The 14# recoil spring was probably used so the firearm would still shoot the .38 ACP, which BTW was no slouch @ 1100 fps.

They make a 124gr and 147gr GolDot loading. I use the 124gr at appr.1400fps with a 16# rs.
This load like the Cor-bon are probably overpressure. There is another thread that rates the Georgia Arms .38 Super @ 1350 fps. It was apparently obvious from the Cor-Bon cases that I fired that the load was excessive.
I trust Winchester a lot more than I ever would Georgia Arms.

[log man]

I cannot help but think that with the energy that the Super produces a 16# recoil spring is fine.
The 14# recoil spring was probably used so the firearm would still shoot the .38 ACP, which BTW was no slouch @ 1100 fps.


This load like the Cor-bon are probably overpressure. There is another thread that rates the Georgia Arms .38 Super @ 1350 fps. It was apparently obvious from the Cor-Bon cases that I fired that the load was excessive.
I trust Winchester a lot more than I ever would Georgia Arms.
Wolff lists it this way, and I'm sure 16# is fine just as some like 18 1/2# for 45ACP. there's more than one factor as a friend loads to 1500 fps and uses an 11# RS cut. Yes it is comped.

COLT 1911
FACTORY RECOIL SPRING NOTES

1. Factory rating for super .38 & 9mm is 14 Lbs.
2. Factory rating in .40 S&W is 19 Lbs.
3. Factory rating for the Colt .38 Spl. Midrange is 14 Lbs.
4. Factory rating for the Colt Ace .22 conversion is 14 Lbs,
When ordering recoil springs for these caliber's, please take these differences into account

LOG

[kenhwind]

.45 ACP factory GM recoil spring 32 coils.
.38 Super factory GM recoil spring 28 coils.

Commander 24 coil recoil spring.

[kenhwind]

OK. I have new Wolff factory rated 16# recoils springs. They are 32 coils.
If I shorten one to 28 coils, would that be similar to a 14# recoils spring.

[log man]

OK. I have new Wolff factory rated 16# recoils springs. They are 32 coils.
If I shorten one to 28 coils, would that be similar to a 14# recoils spring.
Similar perhaps, a Wolff 16# is wound from .045" dia, wire and the 14# is wound from .043" dia. wire. I built my spring tester for several reasons, one is to answer your question for myself as to why not. What you will find is while you may cut a higher rate to a lower one for full recoil weight, the in battery weight will not be the same as the uncut reduced power spring.

LOG

[kenhwind]

a Wolff 16# is wound from .045" dia, wire and the 14# is wound from .043" dia. wire.
Yep that's the dia. I got. The new springs are.045, and the other spring that I'm now sure is out of the Super is .043.

Well the new 16# spring is longer than the 18# that came out of my GM. Which means that the 183 fails the old three coil rule.

The Super spring seems to be good, so I'm jut going to use it until I can order the right one. I already have a cut down spring for it.

Thanks Log

Edit: I just found out I have three .043 recoil springs, one appears to be the right length, one about a coil shorter and another that is about two coils longer.

18# springs .047