With the fire sale prices on .40 guns I have recently picked up a couple of the single stack 40 series pistols and as with most used guns, will want to change out recoil springs before I shoot these. These are the earlier single spring versions. I have only a limited number of factory recoil springs left for these models, and it is near impossible to find them now, so will need to get some Wolff springs. I was thinking of trying the Wolff 17 and/or 19 lb springs instead of factory weight 16, and wonder if any of you have any experience with those weights in those guns. The early version 4516 uses the same spring, but of course has different recoil performance.

I know it can be done, but I am not too motivated to send these guns off to someone to convert them to the newer dual spring recoil rods.

Thanks.

I was in the same boat with my single-stack 4013, and have been using the Wolff 19lb recoil spring with good success, along with their extra power magazine springs.

Wow, 19 lbs...I hadn't even though of trying those. That is about a 20% stronger spring than standard. Do they work well and if so what weight bullets do you typically use?

My 4013 originally had feeding issues with the factory 16lb spring, and research seemed to indicate that this model came from the factory under-sprung (hence the upgrade to the dual-springs). I also decided to go the route of Wolff over having a dual-spring adapter made, and since they don't make an 18lb spring, I opted for the 19lb, especially considering how hard the 40sw can be on guns.

I shoot 165g almost exclusively, and with the Wolff mag springs as well, could not induce any kind of failure or stoppage with the 19lb recoil spring. My 4013 ran like a top both times I've had it at the range, and it absorbs recoil better than my 4040PD with brand new dual recoil springs. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot the hotter 155g out of my 4013 now, and that's been a bullet weight I generally reserve for my 4006TSW's.

Thanks for your input. For some reason when you said 19 I had a senior moment and thought of the 21 lb. I actually had been considering about the 19 but wondered if that might be too much. Anyway, I have ordered some 19 lb springs and will give them a try.

No worries, I'm happy if any of my experiences can help out with fellow 3rd Gen collectors. The 4013 is an underappreciated model that I have really come to enjoy, hope you have fun with yours!

I have the later 4013 (non-TSW) version, R4, that takes the dual/nested springs & I use an ISMI GLC-22 flatwire spring in it.

I do have a 4516-1 which uses the same single recoil spring as your earlier 4013, like you said. I use Wolff's 21# spring in it with reliable operation.

I don't know if they've addressed the issue but their 21# & 23# springs have one end open & the other looped closed, unlike their 15#, 17#, & 19# recoil springs which have both ends looped closed. I emailed them about this.

The open end needs to go into the slide's recoil spring tunnel but I feel it needs to be bent in to present a flat contact surface & not gouge the spring seat. Just an FYI in case anyone else tries the Wolff 21# in either pistol.

And as always, verify any new spring's fitment to confirm the slide doesn't bottom out on the spring (too long) when it's fully rearward, which I've run into a few times.

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S&W 4516-1 Wolff recoil springs

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S&W 4516-1 Wolff 21# recoil spring

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