You can always change the recoil spring if required. They aren't expensive. Are you getting a 9mm or .45?

 

It's the 45. So I can just change the springs if I want to shoot heavy? That's what I was curious about.

 

Yes, pretty easy to do.

 

My last Colt was the Special Combat Govt. Had to regretfully sell it a couple years ago. Is that type spring compatible with this pistol?

 

More than likely although springs are pretty cheap. If you are worried about the spring being too weak, I wouldn't use an old one.

 

I don't want to damage a brand new gun so I'm going to get a brand new spring. I just need to find the right one. I'm very familiar with the 1911 (Veteran Marine) . Thank you, I appreciate the info.

 

I don't think you will have any problems.

 

I would be very surprised if there were any problems encountered with normal pressure factory ammo.

 

I wouldn't think so. Question is... where's the best place to get the right part?

 

Wolff gun springs
Springs for COMMANDER SERIES PISTOL Semi-Auto Pistols (gunsprings.com)

 

kopsicle has the right idea, but you actually need Government-length springs:

https://www.gunsprings.com/COLT/1911%20GOV'T%20PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID1

Standard recoil spring weight for a 5" 1911 is 16 pounds.

 

Thanks for the input fellas. This is a competition gun with a lighter recoil spring. The ability to change springs in order to shoot more powerful rounds is all that I'm asking about. Apparently, it can be done and it only takes a couple of minutes to change the springs.

 

I'm quite content with it just firing target loads because that is the reason I bought it. However, it's good to know that I can shoot +P if I choose to just buy putting a 17 lb flat spring in it. That's what I've learned so far.

 

Don't waste your time with +P .45 ammo. It beats up both the the gun and shooter no matter what, and there is no evidence that +P .45 defense rounds put the bad guys down any faster than standard pressure .45 loads.

 

Absolutely. I think the whole +P thing came about with the .38 and 9mm where early versions were somewhat anemic for LE applications in comparison to .45 acp, .40 SW and 10mm. .45 +P is unnecessary in my opinion and like hunting Sparrows with a Bazookas. [emoji3]


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I understand that, and those rounds are expensive. I just happen to have a couple of boxes of 230 gr. brass jhp's .

 

I plan on breaking it in with light ammo before I even think about changing springs to shoot 230's or +P.
If a .380 can kill someone, Im pretty damn sure a light .45 can as well. That's not really the point. I was just curious about the ability to change over. Same frame, barrel, and guts as it's upper tier brothers.

 

I do appreciate the input fellas, I may know a bit but other folks know more.

 

Does this pistol have the dual recoil springs? If so, a larger diameter recoil spring guide rod will be required to fit the larger diameter recoil spring from Wolff Gunsprings.

 

also if you change to a flat wire spring you will need to change the guide rod. dsk has good advice. thank you for your service. i hope you feel welcome, there are quite a few 'jar heads' here. check out the sticky at the top of the colt page. there is a section on the 1911a1 which you may find interesting. best, james

 

The Gold Cup Lite does not have a “light” recoil spring because it’s a target/competition pistol. It has double springs but that setup is still rated for standard .45 load.

 

Thanks again fellas, I just don't want to damage it. If it can handle standard pressure 230gr JHP's...every once in awhile...then I'm good to go.

 

I'm glad I joined this forum. Where else would I get this much info and help.

 

I know this thread is almost a year old but I was hoping for a little clarification. I'm pretty sure the wife is getting me a new Gold Cup Lite in .45 for Christmas. Is it alright to shoot 230 gr fmj's out of it stock? I'm seeing to change the recoil spring to 16 lb and that it's alright since it's the dual spring. Most of what I'll be shooting seems to be 830 fps to 910 fps. Thanks fellas.

 

Does anyone actually know the combined rating of the dual springs?
If it's lighter than 14#, you may want to increase it for regular use of full-power ammo.
It would be possible to replace only the larger, outer spring (which is a standard-diameter 1911 spring) to increase the overall rating, but you'd need to know the factory rating, to know how heavy a replacement "heavy" spring should be.

The Delta Elite 10mm uses a 7# inner and 16# outer, for a combined 23#; if the .45 also uses a 7# inner spring, you'd want a 9# outer spring for a combined 16#, or maybe an 11# outer if you plan a steady diet of +P.

I saw someone offering a package of three, 7# inner springs on fleabay, and if they're of good quality, you'd have a starting place for determining the desired overall spring rating for dual springs.

 

I just got off the phone with Colt. The gentleman asked the gunsmith and said that they weren't sure what the inner spring was but the outer spring is 16# . He said it's good out of the box for "normal" ammo and to call Wolf Spring if I wanted to shoot +P or hot hand loads.

 

The "lite" does not refer to the strength of the frame. it is still a stainless steel frame and just as strong as any other 1911. The differences are in the rib on the barrel and the rear sight. The Gold Cup you are talking about is a strong gun. I have had a GC for over 40 years and have fired many thousands of rounds. It has had a tune-up and some non-Colt parts have been replaced. I am sure it will out last me and the next owner will be able to fire many thousands of rounds also.

 

Thank you. I was more talking about the recoil spring strength. I've been reading that you need to have a 16-18# one in there for anything more than light target ammo. This will probably get a healthy diet of 230 gr fmj just because it's the cheapest and I'm just going to be ringing steel for the most part.

 

The Gold Cup, fifty years ago, had a lightened slide and was best suited to softball target loads.
The Elliason rear sight was also a light-duty proposition.
Today's Gold Cup has neither the lightened slide, nor the Elliason sight.
A lot of modern 230gr hardball is as close to 800fps as the "standard" 850fps, so it's not going to be an issue in any modern, 5" .45.