Heavier recoil srping advantage - a question

[abalas]

What is the advantage of a heavier recoil spring? Someone on this forum mentioned that he replaced 16lb spring for an 18lb spring. Is there a performance advantage to replacing the spring?

 

[Onagoth]

ummm, i would think it would tend to cause ejection problems more than the lighter springs, but I'm just speculating.

 

[prproulx]

Using a heavier recoil spring has helped with feeding issues I have had. However if the spring doesn't allow the slide to cycle properly then ejection is affected.
Sometimes it's a matter of trail and error.

 

[saskgunowner101]

I swapped out the factory spring on my M&P40, going from the factory 17lb(I think) up to a 22lb rated one. I had no problems with factory loads, but with spirited handloads, I was catching brass in the safety glasses and off the top of my head.

With the heavier spring installed the brass in the head disappeared, and was now 6-8 feet away, not going to Montana. It still works fine with factory ammo. It also seems to recover quicker during rapid fire.....like it pulls the nose back down ...just one guys opinion though.

It is harder to rack and drop the slide obviously.