kimber 1911

[tpliquid1]

so my kimber recoiling spring are needing changing, I founding a buncha springs in my dads gun parts box. just wondering if i can use any type of 1911 spring in the kimber.

[Josh]

yes as long as its the correct weight spring for the application.

[tpliquid1]

sounds good, and usually replace the springs every 1k? 2k? 3k? rounds

[Black Majik]

I'd say someone where in the middle, about 2500 sounds bout' right

Recommended is 2000.

[Supernam]

I don't shoot enough to honestly say. Perhaps someone that has a lot of rounds under their belt can give a better estimate. But my Springfield's factory spring was about 1/3" shorter than the new Nolin spring I put in after approx. 1500rnds. I'm sure if you start getting feed and extraction problems, it would be a good idea. But you wouldn't want to wait til that point should you actually NEED your handgun.

[Kruzr]

This depends on what size Kimber you have.

A Gov't size uses a 16# spring and needs changing about every 2K-2500 rounds depending on the ammo you shoot.

A Pro or Compact size Kimber uses a 22# full diameter Officer's spring and needs changing every 1000 rounds.

An Ultra uses a double spring set-up and is changed at about 1800 - 2K rounds.

Do not use a spring in a 1911 unless you know the weight. Too heavy can batter the frame on the return to battery. Too light can batter the frame on recoil.

At about 7 bucks, including a new FP spring, it isn't worth it IMO to try to use springs you don't know the weight of.

[MadMex]

I never gave this much thought until I recently encountered the topic on another forum. That is, what if the replacement recoil spring is the correct #, however, its compressed length is longer than the original's compressed length? Some say trim to the original compressed length. Your thoughts?

[DrjonesUSA]

so my kimber recoiling spring are needing changing, I founding a buncha springs in my dads gun parts box. just wondering if i can use any type of 1911 spring in the kimber.

I wouldn't.

- You don't know what weight they are.

- You don't know if they are new or used. Your dad could be wierd like me and keep old springs.

Just play it safe and buy springs that you know are: a) New, b) high quality and c) the proper weight.

In case you were wondering, yes, you can use any standard 1911 recoil spring in a Kimber. They do not have proprietary springs or anything.

[DrjonesUSA]

I never gave this much thought until I recently encountered the topic on another forum. That is, what if the replacement recoil spring is the correct #, however, its compressed length is longer than the original's compressed length? Some say trim to the original compressed length. Your thoughts?

The old spring is worn out and will not be as long as the new spring. That is why it is worn out.

Leave the new one alone.

[DrjonesUSA]

Also: I believe that when you buy a recoil spring it comes with a firing pin spring. That is a hint from the manufacturer telling you to replace the firing pin spring.

Even if it doesn't come with one, you should buy one and replace the firing pin spring at the same time you replace the recoil spring.

[MadMex]

The old spring is worn out and will not be as long as the new spring. That is why it is worn out.

[DrjonesUSA]

A worn out spring will be shorter than a new spring when uncompressed.

[MadMex]

A worn out spring will be shorter than a new spring when uncompressed.

[DrjonesUSA]

I do not understand what you are saying.

If you put a spring into a box that is 2" long, the spring will compress to 2" long.

I don't know what length a spring compresses to when inside a 1911, but let's say it is 4".

If you put an old, worn out spring into a 1911, it will be exactly the same length (4") as a brand new spring. It can ONLY be 4" long when inside the gun, because that is all the room available in the gun.


Forget this jibberish about compressed vs. uncompressed lengths; replace your 1911 recoil springs every 3k rounds and you'll be fine.

DO NOT TRIM OR OTHERWISE ALTER OEM SPRINGS.