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1911A1 Mainspring

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:55 pm
by shadow
What is the normal spring weight for a wadgun? For a hardball gun?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 11:16 am
by Isabel1130
In general, normal for a wad gun is somewhere between 10 and 14 pounds, and it can vary based on how tight the gun is, the loads you are shooting, and whether you have a frame mounted or a slide mounted dot. For a harball gun, I think closer to 18 or 20 pounds would be appropriate, again depending on your loads, but most of those have iron sights, so take a heavier spring than a wad gun. If you feel the slide hit the back of the frame, the spring is too light, and if your cases don't reliably eject, generally your spring is too heavy, or your loads are too light.

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 11:29 am
by NDbullseye
Are you talking about the recoil spring or the actual mainspring?
The mainspring in the mainspring housing below the grip safety. This spring is typically around 18lbs. The recoil springs can vary from 10 to 18lbs depending on your setup of each gun.

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 2:45 pm
by shadow
Mainspring.

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 2:48 pm
by Isabel1130
ok. my bad. I assumed you meant recoil spring.

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:14 pm
by Gort
Most of my competition 1911s have 17 or 19 pound mainsprings.
Gort

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:44 pm
by GunRunner
factory spring is 23lb, some gunsmiths lower them to 18 like les baer, some old school gunsmiths prefer the 23 because it moves the hammer faster giving a faster ignition and less time for the shooter to move the gun off target. I have used both, and seem to shoot consistently better scores with the 23lb mainspring.