recoil springs

[saskgunowner101]

Just a question to anyone who has changed the recoil spring in their pistol. How did you come about the weight of spring you ordered?? Say you're shooting ammo "A", rated for 400 fpe, and switch to ammo "B"(reloads) rated around 600 fpe. Ammo "B" has 1.5x the energy. All things equal, if the factory spring is 16 lbs, and it was switched to a 24 lb spring, should the beast be tamed?? This has nothing to do with hot reloads, just staying within min/max loads. If you've loaded up Longshot powder with 135's in a .40, you might know what I'm talking about. I'm thinking a 22 lb spring from Wolff....what say you. Thanks in advance.

 

[Wendell]

http://www.gunsprings.com/resources/FAQ.htm#3

3. How heavy should my recoil spring be? What weight recoil spring should I use with a particular load?

These are two very hard questions to answer in exact terms and in most cases an exact answer is not possible. There are many factors which influence the correct weight recoil spring to use. These factors include the particular ammunition brand and load, individual pistol characteristics, individual shooting styles and your individual, subjective feeling of how the gun shoots and should feel. In general terms, the heaviest recoil spring that will allow the pistol to function reliably is the best choice - tempered by the above factors. If your casings are hitting the ground in the 3 to 6 foot range, then the recoil spring is approximately correct. If you are ejecting beyond the 6-8 foot range, then a heavier recoil spring is generally required. If your casings are ejecting less than 3 feet a lighter recoil spring may be needed to assure proper functioning. Taking these factors into consideration, it then comes down to how the gun feels and performs when shooting - in your judgment. Using too light a recoil spring can result in damage to the pistol and possible injury to you.

http://www.gunsprings.com/resources/FAQ.htm#3

http://www.gunsprings.com/resources/FAQ.htm#3

 

[IM_Lugger]

Weight of recoil springs has little to do with muzzle energy. Lighter bullet loads have more energy but it doesn't mean they recoil more; heavier will bullets recoil more (at the same velocities of course).

If the gun functions 100% and the brass doesn't land in the next county your spring is OK... If you get ETE's, and/or brass hardly makes it out of the gun you need a lighter spring....

 

[saskgunowner101]

IM Lugger

Weight of recoil springs has little to do with muzzle energy. Lighter bullet loads have more energy but it doesn't mean they recoil more; heavier bullets recoil more (at the same velocities of course).

If the gun functions 100% and the brass doesn't land in the next county your spring is OK... If you get ETE's, and/or brass hardly makes it out of the gun you need a lighter spring....

I just threw in the muzzle energy for a rough idea of what the factory ammo was compared to the reloads. Factory ammo functions 100%. I've only used Titegroup and Longshot for reloads. Except for a few high primers, all my Titegroup loads functioned the same as factory ammo.It only got interesting with Longshot powder and light bullets. Brass off the forehead is something else!! Went to Montana to recover the brass.