Replacing recoil spring for Sig 220

[Fritz265]

My 220 carry was a consignment purchase so not sure how many rounds went through it before I acquired and I've put at least 5000 rounds through it since buying it last year.

Should I replace the spring(s) now or wait until there's a failure? Also, what's the lifespan of a barrel?

[9mmepiphany]

The recommendation for spring replacement is 3500 rounds...so you're overdue. Don't replace your springs with with single strand springs, get the factory twisted recoil springs...I recommend Top Gun Supply.

You can shoot the original barrel until it starts opening up your groups. The stock barrel should be able to hold better than 2" groups at 25 yards off a rest

[Fritz265]

The recommendation for spring replacement is 3500 rounds...so you're overdue. Don't replace your springs with with single strand springs, get the factory twisted recoil springs...I recommend Top Gun Supply.

You can shoot the original barrel until it starts opening up your groups. The stock barrel should be able to hold better than 2" groups at 25 yards off a rest

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback.

[unusedusername]

Direct link to correct recoil spring

That link assumes your P220 carry is in 45 ACP.


You may want to replace the mainspring and the sear spring as well. Technically the mainspring and sear spring lasts longer then the recoil spring, but I usually replace all 3 at the same time.

Sear Spring

If your mainspring looks like the 'old' then changing it is a huge pain. Getting it out is easy, getting it back in not so much. You probably want to upgrade it to the 'new' style.


That can be done with these 3 parts:
New style mainspring (won't work in old-style holder)
Mainspring seat
Hammer strut

The old grips will fit over the new-style mainspring assembly.

The barrels lifetime is mostly related to the kind of ammo you shoot. Steel-jacketed +P+ ammo is hardest on a barrel, while powder-puff cast lead bullets are easiest.

Competition shooters generally get at least 35k rounds through their super-accurate match barrels before switching to a new one due to the small deterioration of performance at that point. I would expect a factory barrel to last at least as long, considering most of us don't care that much about a 1/16" change in POI at 25 yards...

[ontmark]

These are from a very knowledgeable member on the SIGForum.

SIG Sauer’s recommended maintenance and parts replacement schedule (as of March 2008):

Barrel: If the pistol exhibits keyholing or unacceptable accuracy.
Decocking lever spring: 10,000
Extractor: 20,000
Extractor spring: 20,000
Firing pin: 20,000
Firing pin spring: 20,000
Magazine spring: When magazine fails to lock the slide open. *
Recoil spring: 5,000 †
Safety lock spring: 20,000
Slide catch lever spring: 10,000
Takedown lever: 20,000
Trigger bar spring: 10,000

Mainspring (hammer spring): 5000 or when misfires due to light hammer strikes occur and other causes have been eliminated. Note that this is my own recommendation; SIG Sauer makes no recommendation about the mainspring in the armorer manual. I was told by a fellow armorer, however, that when he asked about it SIG’s informal guidance was that a mainspring should last 40,000 rounds.

* I also recommend replacing the magazine spring when ammunition is not held securely. This can occur before slide lock failures.

† I had seen an early recommendation here that the recoil spring be replaced after 3000 rounds, and that's what I follow.

SIG considers the extractor used in P220 stainless steel slides to be a “sacrificial” part, and that it should be replaced after it’s removed from the slide.

------------

This is the service schedule that was provided along with the above parts schedule:

Operator - Clean and Lubricate: After every firing or exposure to water chemicals, dirt, or other contaminants.
Operator - Clean and Lubricate: Annually during storage.
Operator - Clean and Lubricate: Monthly when carried as duty weapon.
Operator - Function Check: Whenever disassembled and reassembled.
Armorer - Field strip and inspect for proper maintenance: Annually.
Armorer - Detailed disassembly and inspection: Every three years or 5000 rounds fired.

The detailed disassembly does not necessarily include spring replacements.

[9mmepiphany]

That is a good maintenance list to go by..John didn't just make up those numbers

[Mickeytnova]

Damn good info. Thanks for sharing. I've got a 220 nearing 3k rounds. Good stuff

[Fritz265]

GREAT info!

[davbog44]

The recommendation for spring replacement is 3500 rounds...so you're overdue. Don't replace your springs with with single strand springs, get the factory twisted recoil springs...I recommend Top Gun Supply.

You can shoot the original barrel until it starts opening up your groups. The stock barrel should be able to hold better than 2" groups at 25 yards off a rest

Top Gun Supply has "spare parts kits" for all of the SIG P series pistols. Even if you don't need to replace the recoil spring right away, it's an excellent idea to have spare main spring, trigger bar spring etc on hand.

When/if you do replace the spring, pay attention, as there is a right way and a wrong way (backwards) to put it on. IIRC the tighter end goes on first, but I always forget and have to refresh my memory.

Also, it can't hurt to get the Armorer's DVD, which you can also get from TGS. SIGs have a way of multiplying, and if that particular disease infects you, you may end up with more than one, and over the years I have found the Armorer's DVD very helpful.

BTW, Top Gun Supply is one of the best places you can ever do business with.