1911 spring

Skipjacks · Apr 18, 2020

Is the spring on a 1911 a wear part that should be replaced every so often? Or only if it shows specific signs of damage?

Mine looks okay. But it is 21 years old.

Are they like washing machine hoses that should be replaced every few years before they fail spectacularly?

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Apr 18, 2020

Sear spring, hammer spring or recoil spring? Generally it's not age but the round count. How many rounds depends on spring quality, full power or reduced power rounds. Springs will normally last a long time. Whenever I buy a used pistol...1911 or other type...I usually change springs as a matter of course.

teratos · Apr 18, 2020

Skipjacks said:
Is the spring on a 1911 a wear part that should be replaced every so often? Or only if it shows specific signs of damage?

Mine looks okay. But it is 21 years old.

Are they like washing machine hoses that should be replaced every few years before they fail spectacularly?

Springs usually fail gradually, but will fail. Many people will tell you springs fatigue when you keep them compressed. Not true. They fatigue from the compression-release cycle. That said, if the spring is working, leave it alone. If this is a gun you are going to bet your life on, replace them.

rseymorejr · Apr 18, 2020

The recoil spring in my Colt 1911 is over 100 year old, I should probably think about replacing it!

Skipjacks · Apr 18, 2020

TheOriginalMexicanBob said:
Sear spring, hammer spring or recoil spring? Generally it's not age but the round count. How many rounds depends on spring quality, full power or reduced power rounds. Springs will normally last a long time. Whenever I buy a used pistol...1911 or other type...I usually change springs as a matter of course.

Recoil spring.

Yeah I was not even remotely clear about that.

I bought it new in 1999. It's never had a problem. I was just looking at it tonight wondering if it was a part that had a functional age limit.

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Apr 18, 2020

If you want to change the recoil spring...change it as they're cheap. But basically...if it ain't broke don't fix it. Or...as what I've occasionally done...and not limited to guns..."If it ain't broke fix it 'till it is."

Skipjacks · Apr 18, 2020

TheOriginalMexicanBob said:
Or...as what I've occasionally done...and not limited to guns..."If it ain't broke fix it 'till it is."

Magnumite · Apr 19, 2020

teratos said:
Springs usually fail gradually, but will fail. Many people will tell you springs fatigue when you keep them compressed. Not true. They fatigue from the compression-release cycle. That said, if the spring is working, leave it alone. If this is a gun you are going to bet your life on, replace them.

^^^. Regular round count, and even dryfire included for some springs. I have fatigued three hammer springs in my Redhawk revolver. They are finicky in DA shooting anyway and any spring fatigue becomes readily apparent. Wore out a mainspring in a dedicated 22 conversion 1911 frame and can’t count the mag springs fatigued. It is the cycling that wears them out.
It wouldn’t hurt to replace mag springs, too. On nose dive and full mag malfunctions that is one of the first places I look.

Boats · Apr 19, 2020

I believe the general consensus among 1911 types is to change out the recoil spring every 5000 rounds or so.

I am a big fan of Wolff progressive 1911 recoil springs and use an 18.5lb in most of my .45 1911s. I believe they come packaged with a new firing pin spring so when I get a new recoil spring I change that out too

dist1646 · Apr 19, 2020

Change the spring, they are cheap. You will most likely notice that the recoil is a bit softer once you have replaced it. One of the biggest complaints about the .45 cal 1911 is recoil. Worst case, you will have a spare spring for later on.

1911 spring

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