Officer's 1911 maintenance questions

[American1776]

I own a new model Colt Defender .45 acp.

Question: At what round count should I get a new recoil spring assembly to ensure reliability for carry? I've seen 500 rounds quoted, and I've seen as high as 1,200 rounds. Could someone clarify this?

Also, I cannot find Colt stock recoil spring assemblies for sale. I do, however, see the Kimber recoil spring assembly for the 3 inch 1911. Will this one work in the Colt? It looks like the identical telescoping duel spring design.

Thanks in advance.

[Hodgie]

Can't help you on when to change the recoil springs as I have never had to on my 1911 after several thousand rounds. The Kimber spring should work fine but you should be able to find what you need on Brownells or from Wilson Combat.

[RockIsland]

https://www.gunsprings.com/COLT/DEFE...mID1/dID66#785

They're in Newtown Square too. They make great stuff.

They also have great CS, if you have any questions just ask and they'll probably have an answer.

[Delkal]

Changing just the spring every 500 rounds sounds excessive and you are talking about the whole assembly?.

Every 3-4 range trips? Then you need to shoot it for a few hundred to break it in?

[American1776]

Changing the spring every 500 rounds sounds excessive. Every 3-4 range trips? Then you need to shoot it for a few hundred to break it in?

These 3 inch 1911's are apparently extremely hard on the springs. The short slide, high velocity of the slide, and short travel and dwell time require a lot from the dual recoil spring system.

I'm just wondering if anyone has an official round count in mind.

[gghbi]

I will second the Wolff springs, I have used them for years with good success. Service has always been good. You might want to ask them what their recommendation is. (taken with a grain of salt of course). Both 500 and 1200 seem low to me, but my experience is with the larger models so I will bow to those who know better.

At $9 a set, get some and keep 'em handy.

[Gunsnwater]

Keep a new spring handy and compare lengths when cleaning. Wolf is great like they said.

[Lycanthrope]

Lengths won't matter. Most springs will take a set and stay there relatively early in their life. For short guns, especially with aluminum frames, I'd go every 1000-1500 rounds with full power ammo.


Lycanwolffspringsthrope

[Jhaydeno]

I'll be the third to back Wolff springs. I run them in my larger 1911's and anything else that needs a replacement. I get the issues with full power / short slide handguns, but 500 rounds is nothing. Unless you are seeing 1/4" of free float in the slide when pushed rearward, or the slide & slidestop are being battered, I would just keep a new spring on the shelf and go at least 1000-1500 rounds, then look at your component wear. A quality spring in full size should easily run 5000 rounds.

[Hodgie]

After owning a few standard length 1911's without issue all of with still have their factory springs after several thousand rounds each. What's the reason for the compact slides with light farms requiring new springs more often and does this effect commander length?