What pound recoil spring would work best in the full size goverment model 1911 with 230 gr +P loads, the 16 lb or the 18 lb.?

I would use the 18# with the load you mentioned. In my 1911's that shoot heavy loads, I also use a shock buff. You'll read several opinions about shock buffs, but for me, they work. YMMV

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Hey primers that makes sense to me, on Tuner's advice using standard amoo I use a 14# Wollf spring and a shock buff and the gun runs great. Wiil install a new EGW firing pin stop to slow down the rearward slide trave, again at the advice of th Tuner.

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Bear's Story .

If you have no money and few possesions, if you have a dog you are still rich.

I run 14-16lb springs in all my 5" 1911's, from reloads all the way up to +P rounds. Never had any damage, I also run buffs too. If you keep up on the inspection of buffs everytime you clean your gun, you shouldn't have any problems with them.

The original 1911's called for 14lb springs...........

Still got the buff you sent me on standby, Wichaka, by the way how is the bad guy chaisng business? Keepin you out till all hour, you got to be a little more particular about the company you keep at night. Thanks to you and Tuner, my 1911's just a keep on running without missing a beat. Next thing is to alter a firing pin stop radius like Johnny told me. Shoot a few plus P's once in a while as that is my carry ammo by CorBon Powerball

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Bear's Story .

If you have no money and few possesions, if you have a dog you are still rich.

Been workin' 6 days a week for the last 3 weeks. Will take 4 days off starting Friday. The O.T. is great for the paycheck, but would like to be around to enjoy it!

Our Dept. uses either the Fed. L.E. Round, or Win Rangers. Have always ran 16lb springs when firing the above, and have had zero damage or failures.

Runs great the way it may never do another thing with it. Have put a HiViz front on with an SA adjustable rear, it's and LPA from Precison sights actuall but got it with my lolded coupon for $29.00 instead of $70.00. One of these days I may do an altered firing pin stop per the Tuners instructions.
Hope you have a good time on you 4 day rest, take them horses out and enjoy yourself.

By the way our local township announced yesterday they are gettin new issue guns in April. Will be switching from Sig 9's to Sig .45ACP's. Talking to one of the officers this morning at the 7-11 and he is looking forward to getting a real gun.

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Bear's Story .

If you have no money and few possesions, if you have a dog you are still rich.

I have never had to go over the stock 16lb spring except when firing some particularly nasty pin loads. I would try the stock spring with a shock buff and monitor the wear and tear on the buff to determine whether or not a heavier spring is in order.

I was doing some tests last time I was at the range. I had one 16 lbs and one 18lbs springs from ISMI. Couldn't tell the difference, but I got a stopage with the 16 lbs one. The round was jammed, as it was getting in the chamber, with the slide creating a dimple on the case body. I know, one malfunction does not mean much, but I put the 18 lbs again on (that's what I 've been shooting with for a year now) and the rest of the box was fired without a problem.

Tuner is an expert on this, so I will do some more test with the 16lbs one as soon as I can.

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

I think that the original specs called for the 16# spring weight in the 5" guns. 12 or 14 for the Colt .22 conversion units and 20# for the Commander. I run 18 with all bullet weights and don't use a shock buff.

My gunsmith runs 20# springs with everything including his Colt Ace Conversion unit.

NWEI, FWP, ONVIAL, YMMV, CCBS, LS/MFT & TTTAF

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