1911 recoil spring help...

[crowbar1]

After a few (or more) thousand rds, I'm getting a few FTFs from my Kimber Super Match II.

I guess it is time for a new recoil spring.

What is the correct spring #s for it with a full length guide rod. I mostly shoot WWB, or Wally World Federal 230gr ball.

Thanks in advance Calgunners!!!!!!

[Black Majik]

16# is standard weight.

[1911Operator]

16# is standard weight.

are you sure? a 1911 specialist at the gun show told me that 16# is the lowest you want, anything under that can eventually lead to cracking the slide. He could be wrong, but the info and knowledge he shared with me was pretty convincing that he knows his 1911's!

[1911Operator]

16# is standard weight.

wow your right, I just checked!

[crowbar1]

Does it matter for a full length guide rod vs' a plug?

[Black Majik]

Does it matter for a full length guide rod vs' a plug?

Nope. all the same.

[JTROKS]

For 45acp 230 grain ball round the 16lb will do.

[DaveFJ80]

16 lb is the standard weight and what comes on your gun. I had a similar issue and changed to a 18.5 lb spring so it allowed the slide to stay open longer and eject my casings better on my Kimber TLE, if that makes any sense (I did some research on this).

Since then, zero FTF's and 350 additional flawless rounds through it so far, while using different brand magazines to test.

[Colt]

are you sure? a 1911 specialist at the gun show told me that 16# is the lowest you want

"A 1911 specialist at a gun show..." - hmmm.

Anyway, 16# is standard - I actually run 15# in mine. Colts typically test out < 16 pound from the factory. I've never had trouble running one pound below standard, and it puts that much less wear and tear on everything.

[ocspeedracer]

I don't have any Kimbers but I'm running one of each of the following in my 1911's #16, #18.5, #21. They've all been flawless but I'm not liking how the one with the #16 feels durring recoil, may have to be changed.

[NewGuy1911]

My troubled Super Match returned from the pistolsmith with a 18.5 lb. spring. He did a reliability job/accuracy job and "just" cleaned-up the action. Came back with a "Very Nice" trigger. Also, the pistolsmith has a female instructor with a Kimber (older model) that had the front of the slide drop off. I did not want just anyone to repair the Super Match, this smith "knows" 1911's. Really have a sweet trigger now.

[spursnguns]

Its not the recoil spring.

While it is good that you are changing the recoil spring (you are about due with that round count); you are missing the point. The first thing that you should "always" suspect with FTF's are the magazines. First; try a new magazine from a good manufacturer (Wilson or McCormick). If that solves the problem; switch brands. It could be the magazine spring, the magazine lip configuration, or any dozen other reasons. Most people dump the factory Kimber magazines.

During the firing cycle; the window for the slide to strip off a new round is very short. The magazine needs to be have a spring strong enough to present, and hold, the fresh cartridge at the proper location.

If the foregoing does not solve your problem then you need to take a photo of the jamb and post it.

Good luck.

[willssmithing]

16 lbs for hardball.
If you are having malfunctions with a 16 pound spring, the problem is somewhere else.

[Old4eyes]

Standard Spring Weights for different models of 1911:

16 lb for Government (5" barrel)
18 lb for Commander (4.5" barrel)
22 lb for Officers (3.5" barrel)

[swifty]

Replace the recoil spring with a #16 at minimum. Most people tend to wait way too long before replacing springs. Springs are cheap, replace before doing other work on your 1911.