Recoil springs

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Ganderite

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At the range the other day, another guy tried my CZ 75. he commented that it seeemed to recoil harder than his. I tried his, using his ammo, and agreed.

To identical pistols, one seems to recoil harder than the other.

Is it possible that a stiffer recoil spring in one makes it softer in the hand?

A related question. When the slide comes back, how hard does it hit the slide stop? Would a 2 pound stiffer spring reduce the battering?

Any chance a 2 pound stiffer spring would cause function problems with factory power ammo?
 
I use heavier than standard springs to keep my pistol locked up longer when shooting max loads. It definitely doesn't bottom out so hard like with the stock spring. I notice that it does seem to soak up some recoil too, but every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Your slide will be slamming back home much harder than usual.
 
B said:
I use heavier than standard springs to keep my pistol locked up longer when shooting max loads. It definitely doesn't bottom out so hard like with the stock spring. I notice that it does seem to soak up some recoil too, but every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Your slide will be slamming back home much harder than usual.
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I agree. You will feel harder recoil if the slide slams into the frame.

IMO, ideally use enough spring to allow the slide to barely touch the frame when it slides back on recoil. This allows the spring and slide to absorb almost all of the recoil impulse, minimizing frame battering as well. Remember that different load or combinations of powder/primer and bullet type/weight will produce different recoil characteristics.

The secret is finding this happy medium. Try this procedure. Install a new spring of known weight and a new shock buff. Fire a couple of magazines of your standard load. Inspect the shock buff. Note the indentation, if any.

If no indentation, then try a spring one pound lighter and repeat procedure.

If shock buff is indented, try a spring one pound heavier. Try to end up with a spring that will not indent or will indent slightly, but still allow the slide to cycle reliably, with no Failure to Eject, stovepipe or Failure to Fire, again with that particular load.
 
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I choose recoil springs on how far the brass is tossed... 6~8 feet is what I like; less than that and you want a softer spring, more than that and you want a stiffer spring.
 
"What ammo was he using? Lower bullet weight also produces lower recoil. "

We both shot both guns using his Winchester factory 115's. His gun had less recoil. Only differnce in guns was differnt sights.
 
You should use the heaviest spring with which your gun cycles without problems, of course for given load. Try to go up from what you have now until your gun srarts jamming and select the last spring which was OK. This is what is called spring calibration. The heavier recoil spring will slow down the slide and shooting will be easier on your wrist and on the gun as well. Don't wary about how far your brass will fly. You cannot go by this. If it falls 4 feet from you it's OK. You will find it easier. Also don't wary about the springs which were too weak. You'll use them for different loads. No money will be wasted here.

:cheers: Kazimier
 
I just finished a velocity test of several different handloads. Wanted to make sure the ammo I practice with makes IDPA Power Factor.

I shot it in my CZ75 (5") and my Smith 639 (4"). Velocity drop was about 25fps.

But I noticed a huge differene in felt recoil. The 639 was very soft in the hand. The CZ had quite a snap. Both are all-steel guns and weigh about the same. (CZ is one ounce lighter)

I look forward to putting a heavier spring on the CZ.
 
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