1911 recoil spring weight

[Kiwi cop]

I am currently trying out some light loads in one of my .45 1911's, for a match that has no power factor requirements.

I have a nice shooting load, accurate and with reduced recoil, but it is not cycling the slide.

UI used to have a recoil reducing recoil spring with several different spring weights, but some time ago I took it out and put it away. Now I cannot find it. From memory the current recoil spring is 20#.

So how low should I go in recoil spring weight to see if I can et this ammo to cycle?

I'm thinking 15/16#, anything lighter I would only consider for my 9mm.

 

[MP-5]

The old Gold Cups used to come standard with a 14lbs recoil spring.

Great for shooting target semi-wadcutter loads.

 

[CH4]

16-18 is common

 

[stansdds]

Government Model recoil springs are typically 16-18 pounds for full power ammo, 14 pounds for target wadcutter loads, but to really dial in the appropriate spring rate, you need to try a variety of springs. Wolff makes good springs, I've used their springs in a number of different pistols. Wolff also offers "calibration packs", which will contain springs of several different rates.

 

[rockquarry]

I use a standard 15-16 lb. spring for all loads (mostly light target loads) in all 1911s and they work fine. You might consider increasing your charge slightly as long as accuracy remains good. That should negate any need for a spring change.

 

[H Richard]

I use a mid-range load of 4.3 Gr 231 behind a 200 gr lead SWC. My Gold Cup gets a 17 lb spring and it functions flawlessly.

 

[stansdds]

Also, the proper functioning of the recoil spring will be affected by the main spring rate and even the contour of the bottom edge of the firing pin stop. A lighter than 23 pound main spring will require a heavier recoil spring for proper function. The radius at the bottom edge of the firing pin stop also affects the unlocking of the breech and initial rearward movement of the slide. The original M1911 had a firing pin stop with almost no radius on the bottom edge, it functioned correctly with a 14 pound recoil spring when firing 230 grain ball ammo. The switch to the rounded bottom firing pin stop of the M1911-A1 necessitated a 16 pound recoil spring. The 18 pound spring came about as a way for manufacturers to get better feed reliability, basically slamming the rounds into the chamber with more force to overcome sharp edges or slightly out of spec magazines. The 18 pound recoil spring is also better at handling +P ammo.