recoils spring, where to buy locally

[Mike.357]

Anyone know if anyone local in Knox sells recoils springs for a 1911.

it has been suggested I switch to an 18 lb spring from the stock 16 lb one.

[cadillacdude1975]

call the local gun dealers. if that turns up nothing, there is the internet. you can buy parts for guns from just about anywhere in the US.

[The Rabbi]

A gunsmith who works on 1911's (and probably all of them do) will likely have one.

Why do you want to switch springs?

[Guest Verbal Kint]

They're not local... but Wolff Gunsprings are supposed to be at the top of the list for 1911's (and other guns).

[Mike.357]

Yeah, Wolff was what I was looking for, just was spelling it wrong when I tried googling it.

The reason for trying a new spring is the occassional failure to feed problem I have. Seems to happen about once in 100 rounds. Now shooting this at a range it is no big deal, even helps a little using the malfunction as a clearing drill.

With reading I have done at a 1911 forum there seems to be a consensus to replace the factory spring with one that is 18 lbs.

The other option seems to be polishing the feed ramp and barrel throat. But to my untrained eye these look fairly well polished already.

I am open to other suggestions if someone here has knowledge about it.

[The Rabbi]

-Check ammo

-Check magazine.

Changing to a heavier recoil spring will probably make the problem worse, not better, as the slide will not have as much energy going back, since it is working against a heavier spring.

[Guest SUNTZU]

There is a gun show at the end of the month in Knoxville. You can usually find most pistol parts there. No shipping fees and no waiting for delivery.

[Mike.357]

-Check ammo

-Check magazine.

Type of ammo does not really seem to make a difference. WWB, Blazer Brass, Wolf, S&B, Magtech and my own reloads are all ones I have used. The failure rate is about the same with all of them.

The mags I use are the 8 rd. Novak that came with it and a 8 rd. Wilson Combat that was recommended to me by a local gunshop. Probably coincidence but the Novak seems to run better. I have worked the edges of the mags a bit and that helped some.

The gun has over 1500 rounds through it so I am not thinking it is break in period anymore.

I just ordered a spring from Wolff, it is about 13 bucks delivered so if it does not help I am not out that much.

I started using a heavier gun oil on it and that has helped some too. I run the thing fairly wet.

[Mike.357]

There is a gun show at the end of the month in Knoxville. You can usually find most pistol parts there. No shipping fees and no waiting for delivery.

I might make it to that show. I am not a big fan of being in that part of town, but I still might go. Arrive early and leave early. Admission is kind of a trade off to shipping. I will probably be looking for some bullets for reloading. I always manage to find some trinket at them too.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I sometimes find free admission tickets. Check 84 Lumber on Middlebrook. This show is at chilhowee, usually the free admission is for the expo.

[Mike.357]

Check 84 Lumber on Middlebrook

Where is that at on Middlebrook?

[Guest Todd@CIS]

For the vast majority of cases, I'd check mags first...and stick with a 16# recoil spring in 5" 1911s. There are some 1911s that just don't like 8 round mags (I had an otherwise 100% Kimber that would not function with Wilson's 8 rounders). For diagnostic purposes re 1911s having mag issues, I haven't found one that wouldn't run with MetalForm's 7 round mags with "round-top" followers.

Sometimes a heavier spring may APPEAR to solve a problem, but it's just covering it up. For instance, say your mag is releasing the round too early during the firing cycle and causes the extractor to slam over the round instead of feeding the round up under the extractor like it is supposed to. Many times a heavier recoil spring "fixes" that, but eventually you'll have a broken extractor.

Not saying that this is your problem, just throwing it out as an example.

Regards

[molonlabetn]

I just ordered several springs from Wolff... a reduced-weight striker spring for the M&P, a guide-rod and heavy spring for the XD (for shooting Double-Tap), a lower-rate mainspring and variable-rate recoil spring for my wife's 1911, and a higher-rate recoil spring for the AK.

I got my wife's 1911 a 17.5lb variable rate recoil spring... which has progressively tighter wound springs from one end to the other. It should maintain the same tension while in lockup, but absorb more energy under recoil. The reason I ordered her new springs is because it's been having some failures to return to battery, and Rock Island 1911s have a reputation for having very weak springs from the factory. The recoil spring itself was only about $7, and the shipping on all of it was dirt cheap... It should be here this week.

[Mike.357]

some failures to return to battery, and Rock Island 1911s have a reputation for having very weak springs from the factory

That is my reasoning for the heavier spring. The new spring is what was always recommended when I read about someone having similar problems. I have also read that the extractor may be the problem. But the fix for that involves filing on the extractor and I am leery of doing that.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

I have also read that the extractor may be the problem. But the fix for that involves filing on the extractor and I am leery of doing that.

Mike, I know you weren't replying to me and if I'm not helping, sorry. Without inspecting the gun, all anyone can do is throw out possible causes/fixes. For instance, another "possible" is that your extractor is too tight.

The extractor fix does not usually require filing (most of the time it's just a bending adjustment).

[Mike.357]

(most of the time it's just a bending adjustment).

Todd I appreciate all the input. I have also read about bending of the extractor. I tried a suggested way of doing this. It involved partially removing it and using the extractor hole on the slide for leverage to bend it slightly. I have also tried this last night but have not shot it since doing so. I am not sure I bent it even it more than a hair. I was more afraid of snapping the thing or causing some other damage.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Where is that at on Middlebrook?

84 Lumber is just east of Weisgarber Road. Take the Papermill exit to Weisgarber. Weisgarber to Middlebrooke. Right on Middlebrook. 84 Lumber is on the right. BTW, I will try to go by there tomorrow, my jobsite is just down the road, and see if they have any.

[Mike.357]

Suntzu, I work up off of Amherst and just can't picture where 84 lumber is. I will pay closer attention on my home later today.

Thanks for checking on the passes too!

[molonlabetn]

Just installed the new Wolff sear spring, hammer spring, firing pin return spring and recoil spring in my wife's RIA 1911...

It now has an incredible trigger pull... one of the best I've ever felt, but not too light. i didn't expect that.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Just installed the new Wolff sear spring, hammer spring, firing pin return spring and recoil spring in my wife's RIA 1911...

It now has an incredible trigger pull... one of the best I've ever felt, but not too light. i didn't expect that.

Awesome.

[Mike.357]

MolonLabeTN, How many days from date of order to receiving the parts?

[molonlabetn]

MolonLabeTN, How many days from date of order to receiving the parts?

I placed the order Friday morning, and they were waiting for me in the mailbox yesterday.

Not bad, that's 2 shipping days... and I chose the cheapest carrier (USPS).

Nothing like getting a bag of springs in the mail (thankfully they were nicely packaged and labelled)... I sorted them out, and had them all installed in about an hour. Besides the 4 springs in the 1911 I put in:

21lb recoil spring, guide rod and striker spring for the XD

Reduced power striker spring for the M&P

+15% power Recoil spring for the AK

The springs I got for the 1911 were a 30lb hammer mainspring (the heaviest available), a Wolff sear-spring, a heavier firing-pin spring, and a 17.5lb variable-rate recoil spring. The hammer is now very tight, but in conjunction with the lighter sear spring provides a very crisp, light trigger pull... with zero creep (it's 100% better than a $200 trigger job I had done on a SA 1911 once). And the hammer-follow issue I was having before is now non-existent.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I wasn't able to check today. I'll run in there tomorrow and check. You have to head east from Amherst. Just before Burger King where Middlebrooke splits. 84 Lumbers phone number is 865-584-4668.

[Mike.357]

LOL, that dang 84 Lumber sign is sitting there like a big ole sore thumb! I don't know how I never noticed it before. I saw it bigger than life today from way up on Amherst.

I need to have Stevie Wonder as a navigator, he would have seen it.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I was wondering. Thought you would have to sell your .357 and get a sawed off shotgun or a pepperbox!