Years back Wolff Spring Co made a chart that stated the diameter of the coil wire and I believe the # of coils. I looked to find it on the internet and never did find it. As a general rule, I believe that the spring wire diameter and the # of coils determine the rate.

 

Handgun Recoil Spring Recommendations: 03-10-2012

Ed Brown Custom recommendations:
(1) Recoil spring replacement: Every 1K-2K rounds. (EB # 9165-G). (2) Firing pin spring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 908). (3) Mainspring replacement: Every 3K-5K rounds. (EB # 919). (4) Correctly match recoil spring to the load being shot. (5) No Shok-buffs. (6) Ejected brass should land 8-12 feet away. (7) If brass is falling within a few feet, the spring is too heavy for that load. (8) If brass is falling beyond the 12 feet, the spring is too light for that load.

Springfield Armory recommendations:
“Mil-Spec” & “Loaded” models in .45 ACP are factory supplied with a 16 lb recoil spring. Their 1911 .45 ACP long-slide uses a standard length recoil spring for a 5” gun @ 15 or 16 lbs. The .45 Super V16 (ported) uses the same recoil spring when using .45 auto ammo, but a 18.5 lb recoil spring when using .45 Super ammo.

Wilson Combat recommendations:
WC 5” .45 autos are shipped with a 17 lb spring. Wilson Combat recoil spring on-line blog recommends a 15 lb.-18.5 lb. spring. Recommended recoil spring replacement: (mechanical failures / issues).
(1) A return to battery failure. (2) Torn Shok-buff within a few hundred rounds of installation. (3) ½” or more shorter than a new one. (4) Purchase of a second-hand gun. (5) Ejection - extraction pattern changes suddenly.

W. C. Wolff Gunspring recommendations: If cases are landing in the 3 ft-6 ft: recoil spring is approximately correct If cases are landing less than 3 ft: recoil spring is too heavy for that load If cases are landing beyond the 6 ft-8 ft: recoil spring is too light for that load.

Integrated Spring Management Inc. (ISMI) recommendations:
“The recoil spring should be changed, at the latest, when it has lost .500” of free length from new. At this point, the spring has suffered a considerable reduction in load exerted at installed length. (When it is in battery).

 

I can't speak to the others, but my new Wilson Combat Elite Professional, 4 inch barrel, shipped with a Shok-buff, (the owners manual ( page 53 ) recommends not using the Shok-buff in 45ACP pistols of less than 5 inches. On my first outing with the pistol, having cleaned and lubricated it, I continually had stove pipes using CCI Blaser 230 gr RN. Based on the manual, i removed the Shok-buff but had the same results. I then ran 24 rounds of Remington 175gr +P through it with no failures to feed or eject, but the slide stop failed to catch the slide when the magazine was empty. I called Wilson regarding the lack of performance and was told I should properly clean and lubricate the pistol, which I had already done, and then was asked if I was properly gripping the pistol. (limp wrist) I finally asked if I could find out the weight of the recoil spring and was told 22 pounds. The conversation ended when I was told I could send the BRAND NEW pistol back and they would check it out. He made no mention of using a lighter recoil spring. I now have an 18 lb Ed Brown spring on the way to replace the 22lb Wilson. In defense of Wilson quality, I should mention that a month prior to this gun I purchased a Wilson CQB Commander that has preformed flawlessly through 500 rounds.

 

A 15lb and a 16lb Wolff recoil spring uses a .045" diameter wire.
The number of coils in a typical 1911 recoil spring will be 30 to 34 depending upon the spring maker and length of the spring.
Counting coils will not divulge the rating of a spring.
As a side note, it is difficult to get an accurate measurement of the spring wire diameter with calipers.
Further, old worn springs lose strength and will measure one thing, but actually be of a somewhat lower strength than when new.

 

I read something years ago about using a bathroom scale. IIRC they used a wooden dowel to keep the spring from kinking and a pair of pliers to compress it. I bet a recoil spring plug from a full length guide rod would work

 

A bathroom scale? Seriously?

 

I usually look on the bag it comes out of...it says 16# right there.

 

It would be nice if spring weights were color coded.

In many other hobbies and sports this is done.

You could color code yours with a small dab of paint like I do.

 

Layne Simpson would weigh springs on his powder scale.
Weight combined overall length is a pretty good indicator.

 

Is there a way to determine the weight of a recoil spring in a full sized 1911 by looking at it?

For standard spring wire you can calculate the characteristics if you know the spring wire and coil diameter, the coil spacing and number of coils. If you have similar springs to compare a spring to you may be able to predict the loss in "weight" that comes from a reduction in overall length over time and use.

When in doubt, fit a know good spring. Or you could buy or build a spring tester like user log man did.

 

I purchased my Colt Gov that was built by Bob Coogan from a friend about 10 years ago and it has been extremely reliable with every type of bullet that I reloaded. I have easily shot more than 30k rounds through it over the 10 years and have not changed a single thing on it. The night I made my OP I just returned from a match and I had multiple FTF malfunctions. I used my 1911 just the week before with the same wilson mags and reloads and didn't have a problem. I think it may be time to replace all my springs as there are no damaged or broken parts.

Its been a while since I had to change springs and back in the 90's reduced weight recoil springs were all the rage. Is this still the case? I shoot mostly 200 gr SWC as well as 185 gr FN bullets in my Colt. Should I buy a 16# or 17# or 18# spring. Are mainsprings and firing pin springs a standard weight?

 

Depends on how fast you are loading those 185 and 200 gr bullets.

The usual recommendation is 16 lbs for anything up to hardball, 18 lbs for +P; but if you are shooting midrange target loads, you could go lighter. I have 12s in my powderpuff guns.

There is a range of mainsprings available, the old GI is 23, a lot of guns these days get 19 to make the trigger job simpler. But the mainspring is less deflected than the recoil spring and is as much a permanent part as a spring can be. Think of automotive springs. I'd leave it alone.

The firing pin spring can wear, especially if you do much dryfire practice. No problem, Wolff includes a firing pin spring with each new recoil spring.

 

A guy I shoot bullseye with makes these - it works fine for me:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/45-cal-Spring-Tester-/140890105023?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20cdb464bf

 

Is the weight of a spring taken with the spring compressed to the length it would be with the slide in battery, or when in full recoil?

 

to measure weight of my recoil springs I use an appropriate size aluminum arrow. on one end I have a washer locked on by a cotter pin. I slip the recoil spring on then put another washer on. on the opposite end of the arrow from the cotter pin I have a hole in the arrow from side to side. in my work bench I have a hole drilled and place the assembled rig through the hole a little larger than the arrow [the end of the arrow that has a hole drilled] and hook my digital through the hole in the arrow, pull to compress then back off 1/8''.
doing this assures correct sping weight on new and used springs.

 

Thread from 2012. I hope they have it figured out by now