SW1911 Target Model Recoil Spring

doctorxring · Jan 2, 2011

.

I recently purchased a SW1911 Target Model pistol
for my wife.

Does this pistol use standard 1911 recoil springs ?
What is the lowest spring weight that I could use
with standard pressure ammunition ?

The reason I'm asking is my wife has a hard time
opening the action.

thanks kindly, Chris

Badkarma 1 · Jan 2, 2011

16lb. Is the standard weight in a G.I. .45 most folks and some factories put a 18.5lb. spring in them for regular loads.
Now if your shooting "soft ball" or the 185gr. mid-range semi-wadcutters you can run a 14lb. spring. Just be sure a switch it out with the heavier one for regular loads. Dale

oldman45 · Jan 3, 2011

Well, I learned something today. I was unaware there is a "target" model 1911.

What is different about it from the other 1911 made by S&W?

novalty · Jan 3, 2011

Adjustable rear sight, and ambi-safety, and the trigger style is slightly different than the standard 108282 model.

Doctorxring, congrats on the 1911. I picked up the same model just a couple months ago and absolutely love it.

v0cal · Jan 3, 2011

108282

The 108282 trigger has 3 holes in it, and the sights are Novaks. There's no ambi safety.

BTW, does anyone know the S&W part number for the ambi safety? The parts section of their web sight appears out-of-date.

OKFC05 · Jan 3, 2011

Couple of things you can try.
Wolff variable-power springs have a light section that makes it easier to get the slide started open, and a thicker part to prevent frame battering.

ISMI silicon springs seem a bit easier to open for the same overall weight of spring.

The spring has to be right for the load being used, so there is only so much leeway unless you handload. Easy way to check spring match is to see where the empties land relative to a standing shooter: about 3 to 6 feet away is optimum. Too heavy a recoil spring gives lazy ejection, and too light batters the frame. Unfortuately, the spring should match the load, not the shooter's comfort.

doctorxring · Jan 4, 2011

.

Thanks for this info guys. I ordered the variable spring calibration
kit from Wolff Springs. Between this and handloading the cartridges
I should get something that will work.

dxr

.

moxie · Jan 5, 2011

Having faced the same problem, not with that particular gun but with autos in general, I've found the solution is to get her her own gun, and make it a revolver. No recoil spring, no safeties, no magazines. If she has a problem racking the slide with the stock spring, it's unlikely that anything you do will change that gun into something she is comfortable with. Get a revolver she likes.

haggis · Jan 5, 2011

There is another way of skinning this cat. I taught my kids a way to rack a 1911 when they were 10 years old. It works well for small-statured folk.

1911 with loaded mag, pointed down.
Strong hand on grip, weak hand grasping slide.
Arms extended straight, wrists and elbows locked.
Rotate strong shoulder forward, weak shoulder back, release slide from weak hand.

This technique uses the back muscles to rack the gun rather than the arm muscles. Even a small person has plenty of back strength to do this. Have her give it a try.

Buck

novalty · Jan 5, 2011

haggis said:
There is another way of skinning this cat. I taught my kids a way to rack a 1911 when they were 10 years old. It works well for small-statured folk.

1911 with loaded mag, pointed down.

Strong hand on grip, weak hand grasping slide.

Arms extended straight, wrists and elbows locked.

Rotate strong shoulder forward, weak shoulder back, release slide from weak hand.

This technique uses the back muscles to rack the gun rather than the arm muscles. Even a small person has plenty of back strength to do this. Have her give it a try.

Buck

Oh come on... Rack it off of your belt, like the pros do on TV.

tlen · Jan 5, 2011

Target model ?? Looks like a #108284.
Have your wife research The Cornered Cat
web site :
Cornered Cat

bad_man_ one · Jan 9, 2011

1911 Wilson Recoil Springs

Doctorxring,
I have compiled some information on Wilson Combat spring sizes over the years.
Stock on a 5.00" 1911 is sometimes 14# if it is for a 200 gr. target load (under 770 fps)
It is usually 16# for a "standard factory ball ammo".

I have recorded some coil wire diameter sizes as a reference;
10# = .039" Dia.
12# = .041"
14# = .043"
15# = .045"
17# = .046"
18.5# = .047"
20# = .048"

Regards,
BM1

SW1911 Target Model Recoil Spring

doctorxring

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Badkarma 1

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oldman45

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novalty

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v0cal

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OKFC05

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doctorxring

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moxie

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haggis

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novalty

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tlen

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bad_man_ one

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