easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
I've always used shok buffs. Some say not necessary, some say they are a nuisance and can cause reliability/function issues. I think the basic 1911 design allows the slide to bang against the frame. Shok buff reduces the stress from this banging but raises other issues. Proper recoil spring weight for your loads is important. Heavy loads, heavier spring. Light target loads, lighter spring.
Properly tuned and well maintained 1911s do not need SBs. But how may 1911s are that well maintained and tuned? IMO, use them but inspect regularly. At first, inspect after 100 rounds. If SB is still in good shape, continue running and checking every 100 rds, until you notice deep indentation from the slide hitting it. Replace and take note of round count and replace at that interval. Of course the recoil spring wears as well, so take that into account. As spring wears, the SB will be struck more often.
Experience by military users have shown stress cracks in some frames after several thousand rounds. They use full power hard ball ammo and no SBs.
Using stock 16 lb springs, my full loads would shred SBs after less than 100 rounds. Imagine the pounding a military 1911 received. Increasing recoil spring weight to 18 lb greatly reduced the pounding and also increased SB life.
At one point in my shooting life, all I had were 1911s and I knew my individual pieces intimately. I knew exactly what recoil spring weight to use for every load, full or light target, or in-between. My shok buffs would last thousands of rounds because the slide hardly ever hit them, yet the pistols performed reliably. Just a matter of knowing your particular 1911. Never had a malfunction due to a shredded SB either.
Properly tuned and well maintained 1911s do not need SBs. But how may 1911s are that well maintained and tuned? IMO, use them but inspect regularly. At first, inspect after 100 rounds. If SB is still in good shape, continue running and checking every 100 rds, until you notice deep indentation from the slide hitting it. Replace and take note of round count and replace at that interval. Of course the recoil spring wears as well, so take that into account. As spring wears, the SB will be struck more often.
Experience by military users have shown stress cracks in some frames after several thousand rounds. They use full power hard ball ammo and no SBs.
Using stock 16 lb springs, my full loads would shred SBs after less than 100 rounds. Imagine the pounding a military 1911 received. Increasing recoil spring weight to 18 lb greatly reduced the pounding and also increased SB life.
At one point in my shooting life, all I had were 1911s and I knew my individual pieces intimately. I knew exactly what recoil spring weight to use for every load, full or light target, or in-between. My shok buffs would last thousands of rounds because the slide hardly ever hit them, yet the pistols performed reliably. Just a matter of knowing your particular 1911. Never had a malfunction due to a shredded SB either.
