S&W 1911 SC .45 ACP Commander model Question.

[Flinter 2]

I have a pre E model S&W SC Commander model .45 ACP and a S&W Classic model 1911 full sized .45ACP, I have no issue with the all steel Classic full sized 1911, but I have a great deal of trouble racking the slide on the Commander model, I would like to replace the recoil spring with a lighter spring, I understand that doing so would increase felt recoil, I can live with that but I don't want to cause undue stress on the frame or locking lugs.
I have had Colt aluminum framed 1911 Commanders in the past and normally they have 16 pound recoil springs, I believe the recoil spring on my S&W Commander is a bit over 20 pounds, has anyone here have any experience or advice to offer in that direction ?
Any help that may be forth coming is appreciated.

 

[BarryinIN]

I have a pre E model S&W SC Commander model .45 ACP and a S&W Classic model 1911 full sized .45ACP, I have no issue with the all steel Classic full sized 1911, but I have a great deal of trouble racking the slide on the Commander model, I would like to replace the recoil spring with a lighter spring, I understand that doing so would increase felt recoil, I can live with that but I don't want to cause undue stress on the frame or locking lugs.
I have had Colt aluminum framed 1911 Commanders in the past and normally they have 16 pound recoil springs, I believe the recoil spring on my S&W Commander is a bit over 20 pounds, has anyone here have any experience or advice to offer in that direction ?
Any help that may be forth coming is appreciated.

The original Colt Commander/LW Commander recoil spring was 18lb. I would say you’d be OK going to that if you stay with standard pressure ammo.

I know that’s not much of a reduction, but sometimes a little means a lot.

 

[PittsByrd]

I have a pre E model S&W SC Commander model .45 ACP and a S&W Classic model 1911 full sized .45ACP, I have no issue with the all steel Classic full sized 1911, but I have a great deal of trouble racking the slide on the Commander model, I would like to replace the recoil spring with a lighter spring, I understand that doing so would increase felt recoil, I can live with that but I don't want to cause undue stress on the frame or locking lugs.
I have had Colt aluminum framed 1911 Commanders in the past and normally they have 16 pound recoil springs, I believe the recoil spring on my S&W Commander is a bit over 20 pounds, has anyone here have any experience or advice to offer in that direction ?
Any help that may be forth coming is appreciated.

Are you sure your Colt commander information is for the 45 ACP? I believe Colt also made LW commanders for 9mm loads; perhaps the spring strenght you refer to is for that or some other lower energy load.

 

[scottr]

I thought 16# is for 5”, and 18# for 4.25”.

You could also consider the mainspring and the firing pin stop to control unlocking and slide recoil.

 

[M29since14]

If you use mostly target loads you could probably change to a 16# spring but the easier way to load your Commander without going to a non-standard spring is just to cock the hammer before you retract the slide. 18# is the normal spring for a .45 Commander.