What recoil spring to use?

gregb

gregb

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I currently have a Para Ordnance P16-.40 with a factory 20lb recoil spring
and it is very hard to pull back on the slide even after about 2,000 rounds.
I am only going to use standard factory rounds - .40 S&W (180g) through it.

What is the lowest recoil spring you could recommended for this?
I am thinking that 16lb is probably the lowest I can go without threat of damage.
 
You can reduce it - by the amount of the weight of the mainspring - simply by cocking the hammer before racking the slide.

Lots of girls do that.
 
Wendell said:
You can reduce it - by the amount of the weight of the mainspring - simply by cocking the hammer before racking the slide.

Lots of girls do that.
Click to expand...

Ya, its easier with the hammer cocked, but for competition, racking, proving safe, etc?... I'm new to the sport and a lot of other guys, (no girls) have noticed the spring intensity/weight...
 
Hello,

I run a 10lbs spring in my para and in my SVI. I use initially concerned about running a spring so light, but I have been doing it for years now with no problems. I still use the old style red buff shock buffers, wish I could still get the think ones, and there is barely a mark on them.

Give it a try.

DVC
 
DVC1911 said:
Hello,

I run a 10lbs spring in my para and in my SVI. I use initially concerned about running a spring so light, but I have been doing it for years now with no problems. I still use the old style red buff shock buffers, wish I could still get the think ones, and there is barely a mark on them.

Give it a try.

DVC
Click to expand...

Hi DVC,

Thanks for the info - are you running factory rounds through it though, or light loads?
 
recoil spring

He's shooting IPSC Standard division....there is a power level (factor) your ammo MUST meet in that div. so therefore his loads (even if handloaded) are up to par with factory loads........so they are NOT light loads
 
race1911 said:
He's shooting IPSC Standard division....there is a power level (factor) your ammo MUST meet in that div. so therefore his loads (even if handloaded) are up to par with factory loads........so they are NOT light loads
Click to expand...

Thanks,

The Stock recoil spring Para installs is a 20lb spring on my gun, wont going down to 10lb or 12lb be damaging on the gun/frame, even with shock buffers?
Are there other mods I should consider on top of this?

I haven't shot in IPSC yet, still a Newbie to all this so thanks for your patience.
 
Talk with your gunsmith to see what they would recommend. In my experience running with light springs does not damage a well built firearm.

DVC
 
You can probably run anything from a #10 to a #13 in your gun without any issues. I ran #10's in mine when I was shooting Standard and they cycled great without hammering the frame (180 power factor). Take one of each with you to the range and try them with your own loads to see what you prefer. No way do you need anything like a 20 lb spring in that thing.
 
You may want to change your main spring (its in the main spring housing) to a # 17 or # 18 pound. This will lighten up your trigger a little as well.
 
When you lighten your recoil spring, do any of you people replace the firing pin spring to match?

:)
 
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