Ruger Ruger with a stiff slide?

Addicted2Gunz

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Hi all,
Last night I traded my Remington R1 45 acp for a Ruger Stainless 45 acp. It's in great shape, but the slide is EXTREMELY difficult to rack!! Much harder than the Remington was, or my Dan Wesson Specialist. It isn't binding, just very very stiff to get started. I'm guessing someone must have replaced the recoil spring? Anybody have any other ideas?
FYI, I haven't shot it yet. I took it apart to clean it but it was so clean you could have eaten off of it!
 

fatbaldguy

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Recoil springs are cheap. Brownells or Midway. Since youse is a fanatic, you oughta have a bunch in your parts drawer. I have yet to try Sprinco, but I want to. Joe C swears by them.
 

Addicted2Gunz

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Yes, it's easier after cocking the hammer but still very stiff to get it to start moving. After you get it moving it is smooth, and feels consistent - not grabbing or binding.
 

Bender

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Meh.........
Have you field stripped and looked at the barrel and slide?
Look at the lugs for abnormal wearing or damage

Barrel could just be locking up tightly.
 

Addicted2Gunz

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Yep, I field stripped it last night and everything looks brand new. I didn't see any signs of abnormal wear.
Ok, so I don't know why I didn't think of this - if I swap out the spring with the Dan Wesson and the issue moves to the DW then it has to be the spring... Or is my thinking wrong?
 

Addicted2Gunz

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Ok, issue solved! I swapped the springs between the Ruger and DW and the Ruger is now normal, and DW is stiff. Of course I immediately switched them back, can't be robbing from my centerpiece! haha

Ok, so what weight / rate spring should I have? Why would somebody put a coil spring from a '75 Chevy pickup in there? What would the gain be? I need some edjumication on this!
 

Bender

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I run a 18# recoil spring in Commander 45s. Ruger states a 16# is what they ship the 4.25" with

You may care to order an entire set of springs. Who knows what spring weights have been installed.
 
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Bender

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Recoil springs are cheap. Brownells or Midway. Since youse is a fanatic, you oughta have a bunch in your parts drawer. I have yet to try Sprinco, but I want to. Joe C swears by them.


I've yet to try then in pistols. Been using their buffer springs in ARs for many years
 

azpoolguy

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Ok, issue solved! I swapped the springs between the Ruger and DW and the Ruger is now normal, and DW is stiff. Of course I immediately switched them back, can't be robbing from my centerpiece! haha

Ok, so what weight / rate spring should I have? Why would somebody put a coil spring from a '75 Chevy pickup in there? What would the gain be? I need some edjumication on this!
Bam and this is how learning takes place.

Time to order some springs and play around a bit to see what you like with your choosen ammo.
 

WWB

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18# for a ruger commander. Can goto as high as 20# if you prefer. Wolff springs are my goto. Springco springs do seems to last longer. But the Wolff springs are much smoother IMO no spring sound you get with sprinco springs. #16 is factory stock for a full size sr1911
 

Bender

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^^^ I personally called Ruger to check, they state they ship the COMMANDER with a 16# recoil spring. Not sure what mainspring weight they use. Personally, I run the recommended Colt Commander springs in a 4.25"

** Just checked Ruger's website. Their parts listings don't show any springs for the Commander size 1911s. However, they show the SR1911 as having an 18# spring. Ruger does some goofy arse crap.

D17F4E24-86E1-40C5-BA08-9E5BD97D00F1.jpeg
 
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Addicted2Gunz

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18# for a ruger commander. Can goto as high as 20# if you prefer. Wolff springs are my goto. Springco springs do seems to last longer. But the Wolff springs are much smoother IMO no spring sound you get with sprinco springs. #16 is factory stock for a full size sr1911
Thanks, I saw the Wolff when I briefly searched this morning. Now I'm going to buy
 

Addicted2Gunz

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^^^ I personally called Ruger to check, they state they ship the COMMANDER with a 16# recoil spring. Not sure what mainspring weight they use. Personally, I run the recommended Colt Commander springs in a 4.25"

** Just checked Ruger's website. Their parts listings don't show any springs for the Commander size 1911s. However, they show the SR1911 as having an 18# spring. Ruger does some goofy arse crap.

View attachment 1911
Thanks for the legwork! I'm learning fast, and loving the 1911 platform!
 

Bender

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Thanks for the legwork! I'm learning fast, and loving the 1911 platform!


Learn to always check for yourself.....one works for one may not work for another.
Then, remember that spring ratings seems to be recommendations. Smiths, that I respect even have differing opinions on spring ratings.

** And the learning never ends.
 

Addicted2Gunz

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Learn to always check for yourself.....one works for one may not work for another.
Then, remember that spring ratings seems to be recommendations. Smiths, that I respect even have differing opinions on spring ratings.
Thanks, I've been swamped at work but I did just a little bit of research while I was eating a quick lunch at my desk today. I see that there are quite varying opinions on it. I'm going to look for a spring kit so that I have multiple options.

One question, I notice that some say they are progressive springs. Is this done to make it easier to start racking the slide, yet still having the holding rate at the end of its cycle?
 
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