P226 slide spring

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debagheera

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I am getting ready for my black badge and first match. I have a basic p226 and the slide is heavy. I would like to try a lighter spring but I don't know what I need to get.
The current spring is original(gun barely had any rounds through it when I acquired it last year). I have put about 800 rounds through it.
How many pounds is it now and what should I go to that will help make racking smoother but still be reliable?
Same question with the trigger? The double action weight is ridiculous and the single could be a bit lighter.
Thank you.
 
I don't think I've ever seen/heard of a lighter recoil spring. If anything, there are heavier aftermarket recoil springs available to ensure reliability and durability with hotter ammo.

As for triggers, there are various options of modifications from hammer springs+struts, short reset sears and trigger bars with some caveats that you may run into compatibility/reliability issues without proper fitting/testing and you may also not be able to run it as such within the particular class you intend to compete in. Different trigger shapes themselves are usually pretty simple to switch and adjust (usually pre and overtravel) which may aid in DA/SA feel.

Honestly, I think one should focus on getting used to and develop proficiency with the standard equipment rather than throwing a bunch of parts for lack of training.
 
debagheera said:
I am getting ready for my black badge and first match. I have a basic p226 and the slide is heavy. I would like to try a lighter spring but I don't know what I need to get.
The current spring is original(gun barely had any rounds through it when I acquired it last year). I have put about 800 rounds through it.
How many pounds is it now and what should I go to that will help make racking smoother but still be reliable?
Same question with the trigger? The double action weight is ridiculous and the single could be a bit lighter.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Wow, good on you for taking the IPSC training!! Good luck on the BB and first match!! đź‘Źđź‘Źđź‘Ź
 
Wolff Gunsprings has a fair amount of info on factory spring weights and also sell aftermarket springs. They are located in the US.
 
Id practice DA and the reach. As you're gonna need to start each stage in DA mode.

You can store the gun with the slide lock back for a week or two. What Sig told us to do.
 
OP,
OEM Sig Sauer Recoil Spring weights-
P226 9x19 Orange Color Coded 15Lb.
P220 45ACP/226 40,357SIg. Green Color Coded. 20Lb.
P220 Compact Red Color Coded
P220 R5 10mm Captive Purple Color Coded

P228/9 9x19 White Color Coded. 16Lb.
P229 357Sig/40 Blue Color Coded. 17Lb

P230 380ACP Bare. 15Lb

P239 9x19 14Lb
P239 357Sig/$0. 18Lb
 
Winz said:
I don't think I've ever seen/heard of a lighter recoil spring. If anything, there are heavier aftermarket recoil springs available to ensure reliability and durability with hotter ammo.

As for triggers, there are various options of modifications from hammer springs+struts, short reset sears and trigger bars with some caveats that you may run into compatibility/reliability issues without proper fitting/testing and you may also not be able to run it as such within the particular class you intend to compete in. Different trigger shapes themselves are usually pretty simple to switch and adjust (usually pre and overtravel) which may aid in DA/SA feel.

Honestly, I think one should focus on getting used to and develop proficiency with the standard equipment rather than throwing a bunch of parts for lack of training.
Click to expand...

Winz said:
The relevant factors have nothing to do with training. Been shooting pistol since I was 7 yrs old. Since I can not just go out and buy a Tactical sport 2 or something that fits my hands better, I must use the only gun I have available...a p226 that has combat sights, a super stiff slide and a heavier trigger than I am used to. I am proficient with the current set up...I would just like to make some quality of life changes.
Click to expand...

Winz said:
I don't think I've ever seen/heard of a lighter recoil spring. If anything, there are heavier aftermarket recoil springs available to ensure reliability and durability with hotter ammo.

As for triggers, there are various options of modifications from hammer springs+struts, short reset sears and trigger bars with some caveats that you may run into compatibility/reliability issues without proper fitting/testing and you may also not be able to run it as such within the particular class you intend to compete in. Different trigger shapes themselves are usually pretty simple to switch and adjust (usually pre and overtravel) which may aid in DA/SA feel.

Honestly, I think one should focus on getting used to and develop proficiency with the standard equipment rather than throwing a bunch of parts for lack of training.
Click to expand...
 
Check out Armory Craft. They have spring tuning kits for both trigger / hammer springs and recoil springs. They also have a great flat trigger upgrade for P22x pistols.

You can order direct but DoubleTap Sports carries them in Canada so no CBSA hassle.
 
Another vote for Armory Craft.

I experimented with both the recoil and hammer springs for running IPSC and IDPA 125ish power factor loads using their complete kit.

While I was able to run a lighter recoil spring, I wasn’t able to go down much with the hammer spring before I started getting light primer strikes with CCI small pistol primers. There are softer primers out there, but I still have in excess of 10,000 CCI primers, so I went back to a hammer springs that was slightly lighter than OEM.

Best advice is get the kit and head to the range and experiment. Beware though. If you’re running factory ammo, especially 115gr, I’d advise against going to too light of a recoil spring, as you’re just going to start beating up your frame, and with a 226, it’s an unreplacable serialized item with our current gun laws.

Good luck.
 
debagheera said:
I am getting ready for my black badge and first match. I have a basic p226 and the slide is heavy. I would like to try a lighter spring but I don't know what I need to get.
The current spring is original(gun barely had any rounds through it when I acquired it last year). I have put about 800 rounds through it.
How many pounds is it now and what should I go to that will help make racking smoother but still be reliable?
Same question with the trigger? The double action weight is ridiculous and the single could be a bit lighter.
Thank you.
Click to expand...

I had a full steel P226 Sport stock back in the days, it was running on P228/9 16lbs white braided springs. This was a SIG mastershop tuned pistol, I don't know if that would work on regular P226. I think I have a few left in my stash...
 
Ipsc is great fun. Glad to see you join. If I were you, I'd shoot the gun as is, for now. Nothing will ruin a match like reliability issues, and a P226 is the height of dependability. Unless of course you went with Armory Craft as others have mentioned, or a good local gunsmith that knows pistols, and have ample time to put at least 200rounds through to check for reliability. For the DA first shot, pick an easy or closer target, as long as it doesn't mess up the flow of the stage too much. That helps get that heavy first pull out of the way.
 
The relevant factors have nothing to do with training. Been shooting pistol since I was 7 yrs old. Since I can not just go out and buy a Tactical sport 2 or something that fits my hands better, I must use the only gun I have available...a p226 that has combat sights, a super stiff slide and a heavier trigger than I am used to. I am proficient with the current set up...I would just like to make some quality of life changes.
Click to expand...

What I was suggesting is that training with standard equipment can help alleviate a lot of gripes many having with the system. Recoil springs are meant to tune to the ammunition loads used, not because one wants to manipulate the slide easier by hand. The various companies like Wolf, AC, etc apparently do make various strengths from ~10lbs all the way beyond 20lb+ recoil springs, but again, for tuning to loads rather than ease/ergonomics of slide manipulation. I mean the P226 .22LR slide kit obviously needs a recoil spring in the 10-12lb range compared to any suitable for 9mm loads.

Hammer strut+mainsprings and trigger kits will have a very significant difference in feel with the fitment and classification caveats mentioned above.
 
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