1911 recoil spring guide?

[Mike J]

I have a few boxes of the Underwood. I tried it out in my Springfield TRP, but not something I'd recommend in a 1911. They didn't feed reliably and the coating scrubbed off on the feed ramp which aggravated the feeding problem. So I've relegated it to my Ruger LC Carbine. Runs fine there, but it's pretty stout so not something suitable for a steady diet.

I have found the Wilson Combat spring caddy to be a valuable addition to my 1911 maintenance bag. YMMV.

SPRING CADDY https://share.google/o5ay6LfgLPcthLJvX

Monitoring the distance your ejected brass flies can aid in determining if your recoil spring matches the load, is to strong for the load, or is to weak for the load.

Each variant of the SR-1911 comes equipped with a different weight recoil spring. When in doubt, change the spring with a new spring of known # weight. Springs will loose tension as round counts increase. If an 18# spring is recommended for the load, start with a new spring known to be 18#. JMHO YMMV.

Thanks, it is the full sized 5" steel frame SR-1911. I'll check the spring rate again & make sure I'm right before trying. In all honesty, I've had this pistol since back around '12 or '13 but it hasn't been shot a lot as I don't usually carry it. I tend to shoot whatever I'm likely to carry more.

 

[M118LR]

At risk of repeating myself. Recoil Springs are not that expensive, and they are a consumable part. If there is any doubt purchase a new recoil spring of the recommended # weight and install it. Better safe than sorry. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.

 

[Neon Vernon]

Regarding the earlier comments on the grip safety. We don't all have identical anatomy and I suspect that it's actually those of us with larger paws that sometimes don't actuate the standard grip safety. The arched mainspring housing of the A1 exacerbates this.

It's either that, or no one ever showed Charlie Miller (or Jordan, or Cooper) how to "properly" grasp Ol' Slabsides.

 

[M118LR]

Men's small cadet golf glove, so I'm stretched to reach the mag release with my thumb unless the grip is relieved. Could be why I've never had trouble deactivating 1911 grip safeties?

Love that grip safety deactivating leather strap...

 

[DGW1949]

Regarding the earlier comments on the grip safety. We don't all have identical anatomy and I suspect that it's actually those of us with larger paws that sometimes don't actuate the standard grip safety. The arched mainspring housing of the A1 exacerbates this.

It's either that, or no one ever showed Charlie Miller (or Jordan, or Cooper) how to "properly" grasp Ol' Slabsides.

View attachment 103967

The pistol that is being pictured above is a good example of how one engineering change dictates another....
If the original (straight) 1911 main spring housing was still on that A-1 "Gov't Model", It wouldn't need that piece of string, no matter who was holding it.....And while I'm at it, you do know that the grip saefty was not a JMB design feature but a government-added requirement, eh?...And that it's only there in case you drop your loaded, chambered, and cocked 1911 while riding on your horse, so why not just de-activate it by pinning it down like we did way back when?..LOL.

DGW