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Unread 08-27-2012, 09:46 PM   #4
mrerick
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The people at Wolff have a full page for 1911 springs:

http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto%...cID1/mID1/dID1

They don't publish dimensions, but do offer a range of compression strengths and two alloy options.

This summary discloses the wire sizes for different compression strengths...

From this post:

Let us revisit the 1911 recoil spring issue.

As a reference The Colt .45 Automatic A Shop Manual Volume 1 by Jerry Kuhnhausen Page Number 90:

“Recoil spring weight in the standard factory Government Model will vary some what, but averages approximately 16 pounds. This spring weight began with the original M1911 production, and is correct for 230 grain ball ammunition at velocities of about 800 FPS.”

As a reference The U.S. M1911/M1911A1 Pistols & Commercial M1911 Pistols Volume 2 by Jerry Kuhnhausen Page Number 146:

“Spring Drawing/ Specifications Total number of coils = 30 – Free length 6.55 (inch) Ref - Solid length 1.375 (inch) Max. Load at 73% compressed length of 1.81 (inch) = 13.55 Lbs. – OD .430 (inch) ± .005 (inch)”

“Figure 135 –Spring data: ordnance std. recoil springs have 30 coils. Fully Compressed spring tension is 17.36 lbs. Although tension is progressive, this equals an average spring rate of approx. 2.65 Lbs/Inch.”

Should Jerry Kuhnhausen be correct it would appear the 16 Lb. is the standard spring as opposed to the 14 Lb. spring for the M1911/M1911A1 Government Model.
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