5900 recoil springs

[DR DICK]

As i recall a 5900 series 3rd generation had a 14 lb recoil springs.But if you have ever had the pleasure of looking over or shooting a pro race gun, when you rack the slide you would think that it had a 8 lb spring in it? Wolff and brownells offer springs for 5900 series pistols from 8lbs to 18 lbs .when you shoot steel,or IDPA etc you have to be classified with certain rules ,one being a power factor. So could some one explain this odd relationship.If you run a 8 or10 lb spring and attain a certain power factor one would think you would beat the hell out your frame ,with the slide coming back at warp speed with little to slow the action.A pre thank you for any feedback.Any spelling or grammer errors.Can be atributed to a rotor cuff pain pill.

 

[handgunner356]

The only time I see spring rates that low is either "mouse fart" loads or someone running a comp. The comps take some of the recoil energy out of the gun, this is where you'll usually see the 8-10# springs. Also with most race guns you'll see hand lapped slides and other fine fitting that makes the slides seem much smoother than stock. It's always important to spring the gun to the load used, and if that is going to vary much at all then several springs will be needed to be on hand.

 

[WR Moore]

Not all shooting disciplines (Cowboy action shooting for example) have a power factor-other than that the bullet must be capable of putting holes in the paper/cardboard or knocking over a steel plate.

What you see a lot of in those cases is loads tailored to produce acceptable accuracy with minimum recoil ie "mouse farts". The springs are tuned for those loads to maintain the cyclic rate of a standard pistol firing standard ammunition. Should you make a habit of firing standard ammo in these guns, you will indeed produce excessive wear.

By the way, you'll also remember that the 5900s were +P rated from the factory with standard springs.

 

[DR DICK]

Thank you for your input

 

[John M]

I ordered the #8, #10, and #12 spring over the weekend, I'm going to try them out in a 5946. I'm interested in seeing if I can tune for a softer recoil impulse...but not too weak of a spring that the frame gets battered...to more easily keep the gun on target, for faster split times between shots. The purpose would be for shooting games, and not for shooting +P ammo or the like. I'll let you all know they results.

 

[DR DICK]

5900 springs

Please let me know how it goes.