Colt, Rock Island, Springfield, and Kimber 1911 Recoil Spring Replacement Guide
The recoil spring on any semi-automatic gun is critical to its proper performance. Each spring has a particular rating relating to how many pounds of force it takes to compress it by one inch. When a spring undergoes many compressions over time, it will become weaker. I have created a chart below listing the correct replacement recoil springs for popular 1911 models.
Springs wear out and need to be replaced at a particular interval to avoid issues with the recoil operation of your gun. When a recoil spring starts to become weak, it may cause malfunctions as the timing of the slide cycle will be off. The weak spring will allow the slide to travel backward too fast, possibly resulting in stovepipes or Type 2 malfunctions. It is also possible that the gun will not go into battery (the slide is all the way forward), and will not fire as a result.
To avoid these potential issues, replacing your recoil spring at the manufacturer’s recommended interval is best. See my tutorial on how to Replace a Recoil Spring on a Kimber Pro Carry 1911.
A 1911, when operating correctly, should eject spent brass and throw it about 6-8 feet to the right and slightly to the rear (unless you have a left-handed gun). If it throws the brass further, this indicates the slide is moving too fast, thus throwing the brass with more momentum. This can be indicative of a weak spring.
Here are some links directly to the springs you want at Optics Planet and Midway USA:
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AMAZON Carries 1911 Grips, Lasers, Tools, etc!! Check it out!! SEE 1911 ACCESSORIES HERE
Here is a direct link to high-quality Wolff Springs at Midway: Wolff 1911 springs
I have collected information for Colt, Armscor-Rock Island, Kimber, and Springfield 1911 models in several calibers and barrel lengths. It is important to use the correct recoil spring on your firearm.
If you have questions about the correct spring weight for your 1911, read this in-depth article on 1911 Auto Recoil Spring Compression Weights by Dave Koebensky of W. C. Wolff Company & Brownells GunTechs.
Below is a recoil spring replacement guide to help you know how often to replace the recoil springs and other springs on your 1911 pistol. I will add more manufacturers and information as I gather it.
Here is a link to Recoil Springs at Palmetto State Armory, where you can find great prices on Wilson Combat-quality recoil Springs.
Disclaimer: kydexowbholsters.com may receive a commission from purchases made through the links on this page. We appreciate using these links, as they help keep this website running!
| Manufacturer | Caliber | Gun Model | Barrel Length | Recoil Spring Rating lbs | Recoil Spring Replacement Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armscor -Rock Island | .45 ACP | Full Size | 5" | 18 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | .45 ACP | Mid Size | 4.25" | 20 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | .45 ACP | Compact Size | 3.5" | 24 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | .40 | Full Size | 5" | 16 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | .40 | Mid Size | 4.25" | 20 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | .40 | Compact Size | 3.5" | 20 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | 9mm | Full Size | 5" | 12 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | 9mm | Mid Size | 4.25" | 14 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | 9mm | Compact Size | 3.5" | 16 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | 10mm | Full Size | 5" | 20 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Colt | .45 ACP | Government Model | 5" | 16 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Colt | .40 | Government Model | 5" | 19 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Colt | .38 Super | Government Model | 5" | 14 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Colt | 9 mm | Government Model | 5" | 14 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Colt | .45 ACP | Commander Series | 4.25" | 18 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Colt | .38 Super | Commander Series | 4.25" | 16 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Colt | 9 mm | Commander Series | 4.25" | 16 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Armscor -Rock Island | 10 mm | Mid Size | 4.25" | 24 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Kimber | 10 mm | Custom/Target Models | 5" | 18.5 | 1,500 Rounds |
| Kimber | 9 mm | Custom/Target Models | 5" | 12 | 1,800 Rounds |
| Kimber | .38 Super | Custom/Target Models | 5" | 14 | 1,800 Rounds |
| Kimber | .45 ACP, .40 | Pro/Compact Models | 4" | 22 | 800 Rounds |
| Kimber | .38 Super | Pro/Compact Models | 4" | 20 | 800 Rounds |
| Kimber | 9mm | Pro/Compact Models | 4" | 14 | 800 Rounds |
| Kimber | .45 ACP | Ultra Models | 3" | 18 | 1,500 |
| Kimber | 9mm | Ultra Models | 3" | 16 | 1,500 |
| Kimber | All Calibers | Ultra Models | 3" | 19 | 5,000 |
| Nighthawk Custom | .45 ACP | Government Models | 5" | 17-18.5 (20 for +P ammo) | 2,000 |
| Nighthawk Custom | .45 ACP | Commander | 4.25" | 18 (20 for +P ammo) | 1,500 |
| Nighthawk Custom | .45 ACP | Officer | 3.6" | 24 | 500 |
| Nighthawk Custom | 9mm | Government | 5" | 10 (12 for +P ammo) | 2,000 |
| Nighthawk Custom | 9mm | Commander | 4.25" | 12 (15 for +P ammo) | 1,500 |
| Nighthawk Custom | 10mm | Government | 5" | 23 | 2,000 |
| Para-Ordnance | .45 | P14 | 5" | 16 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Para-Ordnance | .40 | P16 | 5" | 19 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Sig Sauer | .45 ACP | Government- Full Size | 5" | 18 | 3,000 |
| Springfield | .45 ACP | MIL-Spec Model | 5" | 16 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
| Springfield | .45 ACP | Champion Model | 4" | 18 | 1,500- 2,000 Rounds |
Thanks for checking out the 1911 Recoil Spring Replacement chart. If you have questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section below.
Hello,
I am trying to find out what it would take to change the spring in a Colt Commander chambered in .38 super so that it would cycle the .38 auto/acp. I have an older Colt (1903 Pocket Hammer) that is chambered in .38 rimless auto/acp. I am trying to make it so I have no .38 super ammunition in my possession so as to avoid the mistake of getting a .38 super accidently loaded into my 1903 and blowing up a piece of history. Not to mention what it might do to me or whoever happened to be firing the pistol at that time!
I think it would be safer (for me and the 1903 pistol) if I had ONLY .38 auto/acp in my ammo stash, thereby making SURE there were no accidental chamberings of the wrong round.
Do you have any information about what spring weight/poundage/strength (? not sure what there right term would be) to put into the Commander so it would cycle the .38 auto/acp? Both cartridges are exactly identical except for the powder loadings so it should not take much to get the Commander to cycle the lower powered cartridge.
Thanks,
Matt
Matt, thanks for reading my article and for your question. I would like to refer you to a Wilson Combat web page that describes how to determine the correct weight recoil spring for your gun. https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Recoil-Spring-5-Full-Size-18-1_2-Lb/productinfo/10G18/
Dave
for Colt ACE? which recoil spring?
According to Wolff springs Website, you want the Wolff Part number 41914 or 42414. Try Brownells https://bit.ly/3bCY0dx
i have a Colt kit gun in ,.38AMU which has been converted to .38 Special in a way that stiill allows the use of the .38 AMU round which has the same ballistics as the .38 Spoecial. with both cartridges, the first round often will have a type 1 or type 2 malfunction. The rest of the rounds go off as expected. Can you recommend a recoil spring for this issue? I have cleaned everything including the magazines. Thank you for your assistance. rdc
Richard, thanks for the question. I would contact Wolff Gun Springs and ask them about your gun issue. Orders & Technical Support: 800-545-0077.
Dave