I purchased a 1911A-1,blackened stainless yesterday.After field stripping to look it over,I noticed one end of the reoil spring was painted yellow.I can't remember if this end goes in first or what.Does it make a difference?Please forgive a begginers dumb question.

Hi Rick, there are no dumb questions here. I always put the end of spring that doesent have the open hook on the plug side. open hook towards the muzzle end. Tuner, hawkmoon, anyone, am i right? Stay calm Rick i am sure help will be on its way. Johnny P.S-dont know about the yellow paint part, then again i dont know alot. Stay well.

The yellow paint goes toward the guide rod (away from the barrel). Another way to tell is if the spring slids on easy it is the wrong end. The part the goes toward the guide rod should be just snug. Hope this helps.

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Rudy N

The info provided is correct, just wanted to comment that my Lightweight Operator had a recoil spring without markings and my Loaded had the same yellow painted on... Just sharing my 2 Springers.

Rob

The yellow paint is a help, but the thing to remember is the closed end of the spring goes to the grip area, while the open end of spring goes to the dangerous end.

That way if you get an aftermarket spring with no paint, you know how it's supposed to go on.

Thanks alot.Next time I will pay better attention when I take it apart.
Rick

Your very welcome Rick, See how this forum works, you came to the right place. Great people, Stay well. And thanks once again, fellow members. Johnny.

Hi Rick!! Think of the spring this way. You have an end that is closed off and the coils are close together on the ends. The other is open on the last one or two coils....kind of has a sharp hook on the end. If you put that end on the guide rod next to the barrel link it might push it's way past and bind up the slide.If you put the closed end in the recoil spring plug it is wrong. The closed loop goes to the barrel link pin area and the open pointy end goes in the recoil spring plug by the barrel bushing. That way it can scratch away at the recoil spring plug and not really hurt nothing. Floyd

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Air force ranger ret. 1977-1988 never try to take away my guns!!