Kimber springs why change?

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

So when I bought my Kimber about ten years ago the shop I bought it from sold me a Wolff spring kit for it and said to switch to them after the first 500 rounds. I never questioned why and did the change but wonder if it even needed to be done. This was my uncles gun shop (at the time ) who I no longer speak to because of his poor judgement with ethics and morals. ( he lost the shop go figure) . So back to it, the kit has a 22 lb rating. Extra power is stated on the package. Honestly the gun performed flawlessly stock but I did it any how. It's been so long I can't remember if there was any noticeable difference to me at the time. So why would this change be neccesary in someone's eyes?

[AAShooter]

Many change the recoil spring to tune the gun to a specific load. You can get them with different poundage ratings.

This may provide more insight:

http://blog.wilsoncombat.com/1911/a-guide-to-1911-recoil-springs-by-wilson-combat/

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

And the reason I started thinking about this is I just picked a colt xse and the action is noticeably lighter and smoother than my kimber. So it got the wheels turning.......

[hermosabeach]

springs wear out from use.... 500 rounds is too low....

If I had to guess- shoot 500 rounds with a lighter spring to allow the slide to have more velocity. The velocity will allow the slide to cycle vs. getting stuck.

Once it was broken in, install the heavier compression springs to keep the gun from getting beat up....

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I shoot basic 230 gr fmj Remington umc stuff

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

That makes sense to me hermosabeach. I wonder if maybe he told me that and I forgot or was too excited from the purchase lol. I was a long time ago. I just stuck the factory spring in to see how it felt and now it feels more similiar to the colt when cycling by hand.

[Maddawg46]

I bought a Sig 1911. It has a 16lb. Recoil spring. The case get sent 15 ft! I put a Wilson 17lb. To reduce the distance the cases are ejected. If the eject more than 8 ft, my view is the spreing is too soft. It will also beat your slide and frame more after time. If you don't want to change springs then put in a shok buff on the guide rod. I use them all the time.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I will more than likely keep the 22lb spring after thinking about the slide wear and abuse. I didn't even think about the ejected cases, but now that I think about it the were landing in my mother in laws garden when shooting the colt versus the kimber. Thanks guys for the replies. I do appreciate them. Heck I'm thinking I may change the colt springs too now.

[AAShooter]

As one my instructors said regarding recoil springs. You either beat up your gun when the slide is going back or forward, or both. So although the heavier recoil spring may soften the impact of the slide going to the rear, it also slams the slide forward into battery. Its a balance.

[Bill Steele]

I use a 22lb spring when I am shooting my .45 Super loads. For normal .45 Auto 15-17lbs seems to work best.

I renew springs after 4K rounds.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

Thanks AAShooter for that link, there is a ton of good info on there.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I was just thinking about that, good point on balance. I don't think I will ever shoot any other ammo other than what I have been. I definitely need to study up some more on this.......

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

You just answered my next question about when fo most people change them thanks bill Steele

[HPGunner]

Getting the right recoil and mainspring combination is the key to a reliable running 1911. So don't forget to factor in the weight of your mainspring when swapping out your recoil spring. My Dan Wesson uses a 18.5# recoil spring with a 19# mainspring, but I have a 16# recoil spring and a 23# mainspring on S70 Colt. I have a 16# and 21# recoil and mainspring combo on my Kimber.

[AAShooter]

Thanks AAShooter for that link, there is a ton of good info on there.

Glad it was useful.