How do I know it is time to replace a recoil spring?

The place to discuss your favorite centerfire pistols.

Moderators: Bullseye, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
bigfatdave
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 705
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:22 am
Location: near Camp Perry

How do I know it is time to replace a recoil spring?

Post by bigfatdave » Wed May 19, 2010 2:01 am

How do I know it is time to replace a recoil spring?

I'm most concerned with my Citadel, but how about both general answers and model-specific answers if anyone has direct experience.

Common sense tells me that ejection will change and I may feel more recoil as a slide/bolt bonk against their rear stop harder, are there any earlier signs specific to:
-captive-spring centerfire pistols (like a Walther PPS/Springfield XD)
-internal bolt rimfire pistols (my Rugers)
-1911-style recoil springs
-does this apply to semiauto rifles as well?
-Any other early symptoms or diagnostic methods would be appreciated

(dammit, this gets to be a bigger question the more I think about it)

An auxiliary question
How to know what weight spring should be in an Officer's Size 1911? I'm not spotting that data in the Citadel manual, should I just go with a standard weight, or should I swap in a slightly heavier spring for +P defense ammo?

(please feel free to tell me if I'm having some kind of conceptual error here regarding spring weights)

glockeyed
New member
New member
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:48 am
Location: FL, USA

Post by glockeyed » Wed May 19, 2010 7:07 pm

  • 1.captive-spring centerfire pistols (like a Walther PPS/Springfield XD)
    2.internal bolt rimfire pistols (my Rugers)
    3.1911-style recoil springs
    4.does this apply to semiauto rifles as well?
    5.Any other early symptoms or diagnostic methods would be appreciated
note: this is JMHO

first refer to manual...
1. my glock is guesstamited close to 10K, and although it still functions perfect, i think im going to replace it soon.
2. i never did in my old 22/45, i lost count after 20K ish....
3. kimber states 2K rounds
4. I don't remember exactly but AR15s have a range length.. under 10.5in?
5. battered/peened parts, function. usually cheap and easy to eliminate during troubleshooting.

User avatar
blue68f100
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 1997
Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 10:31 pm
Location: Piney Woods of East Texas

Post by blue68f100 » Wed May 19, 2010 7:20 pm

My BHP is every 1500 to 2000 rounds.

My Sig 229 is a little different. They use a spiral wound spring, the center extrudes out as it gets weaker. When it is extruding about 1/4 turn it's then time to replace it. I currently have over 10k rounds through it and it has not extruded any yet. Others say if you shoot heavy loads it ends up around 5k rounds. So far I have only shoot 115 gr through it.

Wolf Springs says every 3k rounds, which tells me their springs are not near robust as the spiral wound springs.
David

SS MKIII 6 7/8" Fluted Hunter. Mueller Quick Shot, Bushnell 2x Scope, Hogue Rubber Grips
Custom Built 1911

User avatar
bigfatdave
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 705
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:22 am
Location: near Camp Perry

Post by bigfatdave » Wed May 19, 2010 10:05 pm

Regarding battered/premed parts, the slide latch cutout on my Citadel is looking pretty beat up at 5-700 rounds (so 100-150 empty mags since I generally load to 5 at the range) … serious problem or minor annoyance?

Post Reply