9mm 2011 Recoil Spring Weight

[Mayor McRifle]

What is a good recoil spring strength (lbs.) for a 9mm 2011 (5” barrel) for regular ammo, and what strength is recommended for competitive shooting with ammo at about a 130 power factor?

The internet wisdom seems to be all over the place, ranging mostly from 8 lbs. to 12 lbs. But I want to try using a 9mm 2011 for Limited Optics, and I don’t know what recoil spring to use. I don’t even know what the factory spring weight is.

[walmart_ar15]

Best to buy a spring tune kit with multiple weighted springs.

It can be gun dependent. I run 15lbs in 5” but my 6” has a hard time even with 8lbs.

[Mayor McRifle]

Best to buy a spring tune kit with multiple weighted springs.

It can be gun dependent. I run 15lbs in 5? but my 6? has a hard time even with 8lbs.

Yeah, if I can’t get a generally recommended spring weight to start with for minor power factor, that’s what I’m going to have to end up doing.

[naz]

What is a good recoil spring strength (lbs.) for a 9mm 2011 (5? barrel) for regular ammo, and what strength is recommended for competitive shooting with ammo at about a 130 power factor?

The internet wisdom seems to be all over the place, ranging mostly from 8 lbs. to 12 lbs. But I want to try using a 9mm 2011 for Limited Optics, and I don?t know what recoil spring to use. I don?t even know what the factory spring weight is.

Ask the gunsmith who built your gun for a recommendation (or are you using an off the shelf sti/staccato) on recoil spring and reload recipe to use

Atlas gunworks Titan 9mm uses 5.0? 9lb recoil spring so your guess to try 8lb to 12lb seems reasonable

[JTROKS]

That also depends on your main spring: 15, 17, 19, 21 lbs?… I definitely advise not to go lower than 17 lbs unless you have an unlimited supply of Federal small pistol primers. I use a 17 lb MS with a 10 lb recoil spring for minor loads using Titegroup powder and small pistol primers from Win or CCI. If you’re still using the MS that came with your Springfield pistol combined with the Titanium hammer it is very heavy.

I also use a long firing pin and it’s 100% ignition even with small rifle primers. Recoil springs are easy to play with, but MS are a bit more work to get to.

[Mayor McRifle]

Atlas gunworks Titan 9mm uses 5.0? 9lb recoil spring

That’s helpful information. Thank you.

That also depends on your main spring

Good point.

[hambam105]

I've known a couple 1911 exemplary pistolsmiths before their work became famous. These guys had no problem pouring resources
back into their business in the form of having spare parts at hand including numerous hammer springs and return springs for sale
and for trial & error testing purposes.

Has far as spring weight goes, I suspect that a range of springs weights will work. But, which spring weight is best for the intended use?

Example would be someone shooting a 9mm light power factor of 120 vs someone who intends to shoot NATO spec or HD rounds
cartridges consistently. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

[ar15barrels]

Yeah, if I can?t get a generally recommended spring weight to start with for minor power factor, that?s what I?m going to have to end up doing.

What's the recommended hair color for a wife?

Get the tuning kit of recoil springs.

Stick a 10lb in there to start.
If the gun runs fine, increase weight until it hiccups and then back down until it does not hiccup.

If the gun does not run the 10lb fine, go lighter until it works correctly.

Without already HAVING the full set of springs, there is no way to just have someone tell you what weight your gun is going to want just like nobody can tell you what the correct hair color is for your wife.

[Mayor McRifle]

What's the recommended hair color for a wife?

Get the tuning kit of recoil springs.

Stick a 10lb in there to start.
If the gun runs fine, increase weight until it hiccups and then back down until it does not hiccup.

If the gun does not run the 10lb fine, go lighter until it works correctly.

Without already HAVING the full set of springs, there is no way to just have someone tell you what weight your gun is going to want just like nobody can tell you what the correct hair color is for your wife.

I found a lot of good information over on the Enos forum. Thanks anyway.