Recoil Spring Weight

[ODESSA]

G'Day Cowboys and Cowgirls

 

i am interested to know what is the most widely used recoil spring weight in Wild Bunch.

is a lower weight spring better than standard government 16# for shooting WB?

[Happy Jack]

I think the vast majority use a standard 16# spring. I am currently running a 14# progressive but I don't think it is necessarily better.  Some who lack hand strength do use a lighter mainspring to make initial charging of the pistol on the clock easier.

[Boggus Deal]

I've been running an 18 lb spring. I have fun a 16 lb.

[Blackfoot]

I run a 16# spring, haven't seen a need for lighter or heavier.

 

Blackfoot

[Garrison Joe]

Recoil spring and mainspring have to balance out - as one goes lighter, so does the other.  The best guide I have ever heard, then tried, is to shoot the load you want to run in matches.  Watch where the brass lands.  Closer than 3-4 feet, you need a lighter set of springs.  About 4-8 feet, you have the right springs already.  And brass thrown a long way out, you need heavier springs.

 

Most folks are interested in getting the effort needed to rack the slide down to a comfortable level for their style of racking the gun.  If you do that, a lighter mainspring is the main contributor to ease of racking, and to running a lighter but crisp trigger pull.  Recoil spring is key to getting proper feeding and chambering.   

 

With all that said, for my 165 PF loads with a 200 grain bullet, I find a 15# recoil (standard, not progressive) and a 19# mainspring works well for my guns.  Brass drops about 5-6 feet away.

 

The standard factory FMJ and mil-spec load is 230 grain bullet at 830 fps, or 190 PF.  For that, Colt factory installs 16 or 16.5# recoil and 23# mainspring.  Those numbers tell me I want (can use) just a little lighter springs than those factory springs when I'm shooting lighter WB loads. 

 

And folks who routinely shoot +P and defensive loads often like their recoil and mainsprings at 18# / 23-25#

 

 

 

 

[J. Frank Norfleet]

For what we shoot, I run 12.5 lb. IMSI springs and a 15# hammer spring.

[VICIOUS]

HI gang; I am using a 19 pound main hammer spring, and a progressive wound wolf 13 pound recoil spring with a shock buff. Power factor of 158 with 200 grain RNFP bullets.

  Standing by for the fall out for using a shock buff. :)

[Garrison Joe]

HI gang; I am using a 19 pound main hammer spring, and a progressive wound wolf 13 pound recoil spring with a shock buff. Power factor of 158 with 200 grain RNFP bullets.

  Standing by for the fall out for using a shock buff. :)

 

I'm glad to hear of shooters using a shock buff.    8)

 

[Happy Jack]

Viscious, since you are using a shock buff I hope you are in my category  ;D ;D ;D

[DUSTY BODDAMS]

Odessa? The same Odessa that I had so much fun shooting at the Texas state championship? Dusty

[J. Frank Norfleet]

Shock buffs?  Some love 'em and some hate 'em.  Those that love them replace them regularly.

 

[ODESSA]

yes Dusty - it is I - Odessa

[DUSTY BODDAMS]

Great to hear from. I thought I heard you were headed to Australia?

[ODESSA]

Dusty - yes been and now back for Christmas - will be rotating back and forth for a few months.

[Goatneck]

Howdy Odessa

 

Glade to have you on the WB Wire with us.  Thanks again for joining us at the Texas State WB Matches