RIA 1911-A1 vs DW CBOB

[SweetPotato]

We took our brand new RIA 1911-A1 .45 to the range for the first time last weekend and both my wife and I found that it has considerable more recoil than our DW CBOB that we acquired used from another calguner. It is so unpleasant for her that she told me to get rid of it. My question is, does the recoil get softer after some break in period? Or this is just a characteristic of this model. Or there is some spring that could be change to reduce the recoil. It is just a range gun for us.

[Snoopy47]

The chamber is probably tighter in the RIA.

You could also try a heavier recoil spring.

Also, I'm presuming you used the same ammo in both guns at the same range session.

[Varg Vikernes]

Ergos or the springs are the only thing I can think of. Or maybe the DW was heavier?

[sanfermin]

change spring

[SweetPotato]

Ergos or the springs are the only thing I can think of. Or maybe the DW was heavier?

DW 33.6 oz, RIA 39.8 oz. (specification weight, both guns are stock).

[SweetPotato]

The chamber is probably tighter in the RIA.

You could also try a heavier recoil spring.

Also, I'm presuming you used the same ammo in both guns at the same range session.

Yes same S&B .45 ammo on all my .45 so far.

[Mossy Man]

Its probably not really recoil but the feel of the GI hammer/grip safety that's

1: causing you to hold it lower, causing more muzzle flip
2. Chew up your hand more

[SweetPotato]

Its probably not really recoil but the feel of the GI hammer/grip safety that's

1: causing you to hold it lower, causing more muzzle flip
2. Chew up your hand more

hmm, I'll compare the gun profile tonight. But I think it is recoil since we didn't really care how much the muzzle flip. I'll give it a try again and will observe what you mention. Thanks.

[LowThudd]

Could be a couple things. The RIA probably has a 15-16# spring, where as the CBob more than likely is at least 18#. If it is a short barrel, it may be higher.

Also, the mainspring may be lighter also. Both of those things can be fixed(and should be anyway) by getting a Wolff spring pack with heavier springs.

The other thing that could effect slide velocity, and therfore perceived recoil is the firing pin stop. Compare the rounded angle of the firing pin stop between the two guns. See if the RIA is a flatter round.

[BEE]

Come to think of it, my CBob does seems a bit snappier than a full size 1911. When shooting the CBob I have to readjust my stance to absorb most of the recoil.

[LowThudd]

Come to think of it, my CBob does seems a bit snappier than a full size 1911. When shooting the CBob I have to readjust my stance to absorb most of the recoil.

Re-read the OP. He is saying the RIA has more perceived recoil.

[Snoopy47]

Re-read the OP. He is saying the RIA has more perceived recoil.

My TRP fees significantly snappier with the same ammo regardless of which ammo or reloads I'm using.

It is a tighter chamber relative to my other 1911's. There is less free play in there when I drop test a bullet in the barrel. Ergo.... the pressures are higher.

What I would do is remove the barrels, and drop test a bullet in each of them and see if the RIA has less play in the bullet as it sits in the chamber.

[jonzer77]

Could be a couple things. The RIA probably has a 15-16# spring, where as the CBob more than likely is at least 18#. If it is a short barrel, it may be higher.

Also, the mainspring may be lighter also. Both of those things can be fixed(and should be anyway) by getting a Wolff spring pack with heavier springs.

The other thing that could effect slide velocity, and therfore perceived recoil is the firing pin stop. Compare the rounded angle of the firing pin stop between the two guns. See if the RIA is a flatter round.

All of my DW's have the original flat bottom firing pin stop which which would explain the softer perceived recoil.

[LowThudd]

All of my DW's have the original flat bottom firing pin stop which which would explain the softer perceived recoil.

It certainly makes a difference. Nice thing is, they are cheap, and require only minor fitting. Took me about 10 minutes or so to fit one with a jewlers file.

Actually, J.M. Browning's original design called for a flat bottom FPS, but the army wanted it to be easier to hand cycle, so he rounded it off.

[jonzer77]

It certainly makes a difference. Nice thing is, they are cheap, and require only minor fitting. Took me about 10 minutes or so to fit one with a jewlers file.

Actually, J.M. Browning's original design called for a flat bottom FPS, but the army wanted it to be easier to hand cycle, so he rounded it off.

Yup. I wondered why my DW Specialist required more effort to rack the slide compared to my other 1911's and that led me down the path of the flat fps lol. Also, if it's a production gun, it's always nice to have a properly fit fps anyways to avoid clocking and you get the benefit of reduced recoil. Win win.