Glock recoil springs

[fltingck]

What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of installing a heavier/lighter recoil spring?

Do you want a heavier or lighter spring for competition?

Does spring weight affect muzzle flip?

Is it a dumb idea to mess around with a pistol that is already insanely reliable?

[rabagley]

I install stainless rods, not because they're heavier in the muzzle, but because they don't get dinged up and potentially worn down in regular use.

As for spring weight, I've shot some 10mm loads that I think could have shot better a heavier spring, but the stock spring weight handles 99% of my shooting without complaint or hiccup.

[Cato]

Anytime a Glock is "customized," it becomes less reliable. Are you cool with that?

[Blackhawk556]

@ Cato
Does that go for any handgun?

[ponderosa]

I am a bit leery to mod my G17 because it works, but I did install a 3.5# connector... so I'm guilty. Works good and reliably tho.

[fltingck]

Can someone please just answer this question...

What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of installing a heavier/lighter recoil spring?

[sammy]

I am a bit leery to mod my G17 because it works, but I did install a 3.5# connector... so I'm guilty. Works good and reliably tho.

Is it made by Ghost? Mine failed after about 200 rounds. The trigger went dead and would not reset. After that I installed a Glock 4# connector. In the past I tried Wolf recoil springs 22# and 20# which made the gun FTF once a mag. After that no more aftermarket parts in my Glocks. Sights and grip tape are the only exeptions.

[will227457]

Anytime a Glock is "customized," it becomes less reliable. Are you cool with that?

untrue....

[buffybuster]

With any of the major manufacturer's military/LE focused weapons, anytime you modify it, you are making some compromise. As designed and manufactured the weapon is configured to operate with the widest ranges of conditions, users and ammunition. It is not specifically optimized for anything.

What you can do by modifying the weapon is to make it more optimized for a specific function or task, at maybe a compromise in another area (that may or may not be a factor to you).

With the Glock the factory spring is FUNCTIONAL as near to 100% as possible. Running a heavier spring may reduce slide battering/recoil impulse at the expense of having the slide close faster with increased breech block wear. A heavy spring gun shot with lighter loads may experience reduced reliability.
A lighter slide with a matched up load will make the gun shoot flatter (less jump) allowing competitive shooters to track targets better. A light sprung gun shot with standard loads may exhibit accelerated wear and reduced reliability.

[hybridatsun350]

untrue....

Don't make statements without evidence.

Time and time again, we have all seen Glocks have problems that they shouldn't be having. For some reason, it always seems to come back to some unneeded aftermarket parts. Having said that, my Glock 34 has its share of modifications, but I accept the fact that it's higher state of tune may result in a higher rate of malfunctions. The idea there is that it is a competition gun and not one that I would ever intend to use to defend myself. My 100% stock Glock 17 is the one I rely on for that.

@ Cato
Does that go for any handgun?

I believe so. Others may have a different opinion.

[JTROKS]

I've been tinkering with a Glock 35 converted to 9mm. My objective is to shoot production class (I know it's not legal in sanctioned USPSA matches) using 125 grain hardcast bullets at 1050 fps just making minor power. I've tested some loads that meets the 1050 fps, but those loads won't reliably cycle the gun. A lighter spring is a must and I've installed 12lb and lower springs and the stock striker spring is making the gun go slightly out of battery before the gun goes off. With the low pressure rounds it's not creating an unsafe set up, but it's detrimental to accuracy. My next move is to get a reduce striker spring to prevent the slide from moving when pulling the trigger. If that doesn't work then I will have to load up the rounds a little hotter to cycle the gun with the stock recoil spring. I've seen lots of folks make their custom Glock work, I just need the time to tinker with it some more.

[Cato]

@ Cato
Does that go for any handgun?

with the exception of most 1911s, yes.

[Echidin]

Anytime a Glock is "customized," it becomes less reliable. Are you cool with that?

Unless, of course, the customizations are OEM Glock factory parts...at least in my experience, I can't speak for everyone.

[ponderosa]

Is it made by Ghost? Mine failed after about 200 rounds. The trigger went dead and would not reset. After that I installed a Glock 4# connector. In the past I tried Wolf recoil springs 22# and 20# which made the gun FTF once a mag. After that no more aftermarket parts in my Glocks. Sights and grip tape are the only exeptions.

I have no idea who made mine... but I do have > 200 rds with it installed, probably > 1000rds. I have the stock/factory one too if I ever need to put it in...

sorry for the "thread jack"

[Greg-Dawg]

Stock springs have always worked with me. Just try different ammo and different ammo grains.