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Variable Recoil Spring Vs. Conventional?

colt sr
Will a 16.5 lb. Wolff Variable recoil spring function just as reliable as a 16 lb. Wolff Conventional recoil spring in a Colt Gov.Model 45. I shoot only 230 grain hardball or hollowpoints. I also have a 11 lb. wolff magazine spring in my 7 round Colt mag? Is this ok?
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  • RadCat
    Your 16.5 lbs. recoil spring is about the right weight for a replacement in the government model, variable or not, and it should work fine. Some people preferr the variable weight springs, in the thought that it should increase resistance as rearwards slide motion continues in the firing cycle. I have measured both variable and standard/conventional springs in my gauge to check for differences, and while they are there, the mid-point resistance difference seems to be minimal. I have noticed that as spring "fatigue" sets in after quite a few rounds, the overall lenght (which is the gauging point for replacement) of the variable spring is longer, indicating a possible longer usefull life expectancy. On the other hand after measuring the springs strenght at that time, the standard springs seem to hold their total strenght better. Of course somebody may disagree, but this has been my experience, and I go through a lot of spring changes, due to the high volume I normally shoot. The 16.5lbs. while being the normal issue in 5" government guns is perceived to be in the lower weight recommended. Most shooters that do alot of hardball shooting prefer the 17.5 - 18 lbs. springs. It could be that after a bit of shooting the 17.5 - 18 lbs. springs act as if they were 16.5 lbs. springs. Many people who compete often, preferr the lighter 13 - 15 lbs. springs as they feel these weight springs return the gun to the same pointing level during rapid fire. Of course they will install a recoil buffer (plastic/rubber) to avoid possible damage to their frames, and change springs more often. And before I hear from some of our "purists 1911" friends about the use of recoil buffers I should point out that over 90% of competition shooters use them, and they come "factory standard" in guns like Wilson Combat.
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