1911 Recoil Spring Replacement Chart- For Better Pistol Performance

Colt, Rock Island, Springfield and Kimber 1911 Recoil Spring Replacement Guide

1911 Recoil spring
1911 Recoil spring

The recoil spring on any semi-automatic gun is critical to the proper performance of the firearm. 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 backwards 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.

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It is best to avoid these potential issues by replacing your recoil spring at the manufacturers recommended interval. See my tutorial on How to Replace a Recoil Spring on a Kimber Pro Carry 1911.

A 1911, when operating properly, 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:

Links in this article may be affiliate links. We may receive a small commission at no cost to you use these links. We greatly appreciate your support!

Here is a direct link to high quality Wolff Springs at Midway: Wolff 1911 springs

Ed Brown Springs
Wilson Combat 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 some questions about the correct spring weight for your 1911, you can read this in-depth article on 1911 Auto Recoil Spring Compression Weights by Dave Koebensky of W. C. Wolff Company & Brownells GunTechs.

Here is a recoil spring replacement guide to help you know how often to replace the recoil and other springs in your 1911 pistol. I will be adding new manufacturers and information as I get it.

Here is a link to Recoil Springs at Palmetto State Armory for 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 it makes it possible to keep this website running!

ManufacturerCaliberGun ModelBarrel LengthRecoil Spring Replacement IntervalRecoil Spring Rating lbs
Armscor -Rock Island.45 ACPFull Size5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds18
Armscor -Rock Island.45 ACPMid Size4.25"1,500- 2,000 Rounds20
Armscor -Rock Island.45 ACPCompact Size3.5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds24
Armscor -Rock Island.40 Full Size5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds16
Armscor -Rock Island.40 Mid Size4.25"1,500- 2,000 Rounds20
Armscor -Rock Island.40Compact Size3.5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds20
Armscor -Rock Island9mmFull Size5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds12
Armscor -Rock Island9mmMid Size4.25"1,500- 2,000 Rounds14
Armscor -Rock Island9mmCompact Size3.5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds16
Armscor -Rock Island10mmFull Size5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds20
Colt.45 ACPGovernment Model5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds16
Colt.40Government Model5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds19
Colt.38 SuperGovernment Model5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds14
Colt9 mmGovernment Model5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds14
Colt.45 ACPCommander Series4.25"1,500- 2,000 Rounds18
Colt.38 SuperCommander Series4.25"1,500- 2,000 Rounds16
Colt9 mmCommander Series4.25"1,500- 2,000 Rounds16
Armscor -Rock Island10 mmMid Size4.25"1,500- 2,000 Rounds24
Kimber10 mmCustom/Target Models5"1,500 Rounds18.5
Kimber9 mmCustom/Target Models5"1,800 Rounds12
Kimber.38 SuperCustom/Target Models5"1,800 Rounds14
Kimber.45 ACP, .40Pro/Compact Models4"800 Rounds22
Kimber.38 SuperPro/Compact Models4"800 Rounds20
Kimber9mmPro/Compact Models4"800 Rounds14
Kimber.45 ACP (outer spring)Ultra Models3"1,50018
Kimber9mm (outer spring)Ultra Models3"1,50016
KimberAll Calibers (inner spring and guide rod assembly)Ultra Models3"5,00019
Para-Ordnance.45P145"1,500- 2,000 Rounds16
Para-Ordnance.40P165"1,500- 2,000 Rounds19
Springfield.45 ACPMIL-Spec Model5"1,500- 2,000 Rounds16
Springfield.45 ACPChampion Model4"1,500- 2,000 Rounds18

Thanks for checking out  the 1911  Recoil Spring Replacement chart. If you have questions or comments please leave them in the comment section below.

6 thoughts on “1911 Recoil Spring Replacement Chart- For Better Pistol Performance”

  1. 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

    Reply
  2. 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

    Reply
    • 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

      Reply

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