1911 Springs

[Adam Striegel]

I'm changing out some of the parts on the Taurus 1911 I bought and curious what everyone else is using.

I'm changing the recoil spring out with a Wolff 18.5, magazine springs out with Wolff, and I bought a couple Tripp Research 7 round magazines.

All of those were recommended to me by saying that's the only way to go. Anyone else agree?

 

[mike cyrwus]

why are you changing them?

 

[Wall]

Didn't you just buy this gun new, as in haven't even fired it yet?
Why 7rnd Mag instead of 8?

 

[Spiff]

I think you should check on who your recommendations are coming from.

 

[Burk Cornelius]

I would buy some ammo and shoot the crap out of it before deciding if it needed anything changed

 

[Wall]

Don't get me wrong, Tripp Mags are Awesome and there's nothing wrong with wolff springs either. It's just the descision to change things before you've even tried them that's puzzling.

 

[Jefpainthorse]

I like to shoot any new gun a while... See what's right... See what's wrong, then make changes ( or send it back with a "punch list") and tune from there.

Arbitrarly changing out recoil springs before you know if the magazines work consistently or the pistol extracts and ejects correctly could set you up for a lot of dog chasing its tail sessions.

Recoil springs and mag springs have to be correct - they sorta keep the parts in time. If the pistol functions with factory weight springs leave em alone till you see some reason to investigate and correct.

 

[technetium-99m]

The Taurus mags I got were crap. Tripps are awesome but get 8 rounders, there is just no point to 7 round mags.

Don't replace your recoil spring just yet. I like ISMI 16 pound springs when you need a new one. When you replace it make sure it isn't going solid.

 

[poopgiggle]

I switched out the stock recoil spring in my 1911 (18lb I think) with a Wilson 16lb. The spring was about due for a replacement anyways, and I decided to play with a lighter recoil spring to see if I liked how it shot better. I went with Wilson because that's what my friend had at his store; I'm sure it's a rebranded ISMI or something.

1911 mag debates cause holy wars. I've had good luck with Mec-Gar (basically the same as Tripp) and Checkmate, though you can't get extended basepads for Mec-Gars which sucks. I have one Chip McCormick Shooting Star that feeds OK but consistently fails to lock the slide back. I own one of the nicer Chip McCormick Match Grade magazines but I don't think I've ever actually used it. I also have a Les Baer mag that looks to be a pretty close copy of a Wilson Combat 8-rounder and it has worked OK.

 

[Adam Striegel]

I fired a little over 100 rounds and was having problems with the magazines not feeding rounds up. I did a lot of reading and it seems a lot of people have problems with the mags that come with those guns. The ramp on them is on the frame instead of the barrel, so sometimes rounds (especially hollow points) nose dive instead of chambering. Supposedly the stronger recoil spring and better mags makes the gun a lot more reliable.

This is going to be more of a toy than anything, so I'm planning on upgrading the springs and getting some spiffy grips to go on it. Still going to have my Sig p226 or Glock 26 for any carrying around.

 

[Adam Striegel]

My Tripp Research Cobra Mags just showed and they are everything anyone could hopeful. I can't believe how crazy good these things are!

 

[technetium-99m]

Throw the Taurus mags in a drawer and forget about them or use them for Barney mags at matches.

 

[Adam Striegel]

Throw the Taurus mags in a drawer and forget about them or use them for Barney mags at matches.

I picked up a Chip McCormick mag at a local shop fairly cheap. After using the Chip and Tripp mags, I think I'll just huck those Taurus mags in the trash. Those things look like they came out of a happy meal by comparison.

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

I believe that 1911 has an alloy frame. If so, don't use Chip McCormick mags without replacing the follower. The split metal follower will damage the frame. I have several McCormick mags that I've put Wilson Combat springs and followers in so they don't damage the alloy frame in my 1911.

 

[Adam Striegel]

That's strange since the mags it came with both have metal followers. :O

I'll do some research and see if anyone is having that issue. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

That's strange since the mags it came with both have metal followers. :O

I'll do some research and see if anyone is having that issue. Thanks for the heads up.

The issue isn't that the followers are metal. It's that they're split.

http://www.cmctactical.com/classicmags_18_ctg.html

See the lower portion of the metal follower? When those mags feed the last round that portion of the follower taps the frame. It can cause damage over time on alloy-framed 1911s. Google the issue, it exists.

 

[Adam Striegel]

Ah OK, I see what you're saying. Thanks for letting me know, I'll have to look at changing the follower out or selling it and getting another Tripp.

 

[Adam Striegel]

I got the new recoil spring in today, put it on, and swapped the Chip follower with one from the factory mag.

Took it out and shot another 100 rounds and I can't believe the difference. It's like a completely different gun. I can't believe how much difference a couple new magazines and a spring made. I'm totally sold on 1911's now. I may have to trade off my Sig for Glock for a Kimber now. heh

 

[Adam Striegel]

And thanks again for that tip about the Chip follower. I was able to swap it out with one of the factory ones fairly easy, so it doesn't have that lower spit that can hit the ramp. The follower is a little taller, so I can only get 7 rounds in the 8 round clip, but it works great and will get me by until I can get a proper one.

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

And thanks again for that tip about the Chip follower. I was able to swap it out with one of the factory ones fairly easy, so it doesn't have that lower spit that can hit the ramp. The follower is a little taller, so I can only get 7 rounds in the 8 round clip, but it works great and will get me by until I can get a proper one.

No problem. You can get Wilson Combat springs and followers for $7.99 through Brownells. I believe if you click the ad on here and then place your order that they give a kick back to Boomer Shooter for the referral.