[SeeJohnLikeSig&Glock]

I have a kimber custom 2 that has roughly 2000 through it. At this round count what (if anything) would you all replace? If you wouldnt replace anything at this round count what round count would you begin to replace springs and such?

[faawrenchbndr]

Recoil spring could stand to be replaced.
I would suggest a detail strip of frame & slide, then clean & lube

[bac1023]

Yeah, the only thing it should need is a recoil spring as far as parts go.

2000 rounds isn't all that much.

[SeeJohnLikeSig&Glock]

Thanks guys. What poundage do all recommend? I have read 16#/17#/18.5#.

I researched that the model i have, a full size custom 2, has a 16# spring. So unless there is a reason to go heavier I will probably stick with that.

[faawrenchbndr]

I tend to prefer stock spring weights

[3rdgen40]

So a recoil spring is only good for 2K rounds in a 1911???

[glockarmor]

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

So a recoil spring is only good for 2K rounds in a 1911???

Kimber says 2000 on a full size pistol, 1500 on a 4" and 500 on a 3.5.

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

So a recoil spring is only good for 2K rounds in a 1911???

If you don't want it to beat it's self to death & you want it to be reliable!
On a Colt Delta Elite, change the spring at about 1000-1500 rounds fired

[mist]

Originally Posted by SeeJohnLikeSig&Glock

I have a kimber custom 2 that has roughly 2000 through it. At this round count what (if anything) would you all replace? If you wouldnt replace anything at this round count what round count would you begin to replace springs and such?

From the Kimber web site:

SPRING REPLACEMENT CHART

ALL FULL SIZE 5” MODELS

Recoil Spring:

.45 ACP and .40 S&W - 16 lbs., change every
1500-1800 rounds.
9MM - 12 lbs., change every 2000 rounds.
10MM - 18.5 lbs., change every 1800 rounds.
.38 Super - 14 lbs., change every 2000 rounds.

Firing Pin Spring:

HD, change every 5000 rounds.

Mainspring: 21 lbs., change every 5000 rounds.

[Glocker1984]

In my opinion, Springs are cheap insurance.

I change my handguns recoil springs (regardless of model/make) every 2-3,000 rounds.

If a spring starts to wear in one of my mags, and starts giving me problems, I just throw the entire mag away and replace it with a new one.

[Jason D]

I agree on the recoil spring and a good detail cleaning.
If you go with the Wolff spring, they also include a new firing pin spring.
You might as well change that while you're at it.

16 pound is factory standard just about across the board for a .45 caliber 1911.
You could go 17 or 18 pounds if you shoot only +P type ammo or extremely hot reloads.
14 pounds for real soft target loads.

A heavy spring with standard ammo may lead to malfunctions.

[minderasr]

First please correct me if I'm wrong. I searched the Ruger website and SR1911 owners manual for recommended replacement of the recoil spring, and found nothing. Shopruger.com has replacements for $2 which means no excuse not to change it. However they have a $25 minimum order policy. Anyone want to split $25 worth of recoil springs?

[Jason D]

You can just get a Wolff or Colt spring from Brownells.

[FLIPPER 348]

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

So a recoil spring is only good for 2K rounds in a 1911???

20K is more like it, unless you have a picky eater BBQ 1911 from the start

[Jim Watson]

Sounds like Kimber is trying to go into the spring business.

Wolff, who IS in the spring business says:
Wolff springs are made with the highest grade materials and workmanship. Most Wolff [recoil] springs will remain stable for many thousands of rounds. Some recoil springs in compact pistols, especially where dual springs are used or are replaced by a single spring may require changing after 500 - 1500 rounds.

I consider "many" to be way more than 2000.
There are all manner of rules of thumb based on round count (Do you know how many rounds you have on your present springs? I don't.) or spring "set" when the recoil spring has set back so many inches or so many coil diameters.

The main consumer of firing pin springs is the serious shooter who dryfires a lot.

I don't think the mainspring is a wear item to be replaced regularly at all. It has an enormous power reserve, 23 lb GI, 15 lb will fire the shot.

[MajorD]

I've been shooting for over 30 years and this replace the recoil spring every x # of rounds is a relatively new phenomenon-I've seen many high mileage 1911's with tens of thousands of rounds with the original springs and they still run. The current popular opinion is a spring change every 5k or so, it sure won't hurt if you do this on schedule but I am not fully convinced it really does much more good that a much greater interval either. If I owned a gun that required a spring change every 2k it would get sold- That seems overkill to me.

[Jason D]

I have always done it every 5K rounds.

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by MajorD

I've been shooting for over 30 years and this replace the recoil spring every x # of rounds is a relatively new phenomenon-I've seen many high mileage 1911's with tens of thousands of rounds with the original springs and they still run. The current popular opinion is a spring change every 5k or so, it sure won't hurt if you do this on schedule but I am not fully convinced it really does much more good that a much greater interval either. If I owned a gun that required a spring change every 2k it would get sold- That seems overkill to me.

Many people do not change their engine's timing belt at 90k miles as suggested.
But they wish they had when it breaks & destroys the enginge at 130k!

Preventative maintenance,..........it's a good thing.

[limbkiller]

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

Many people do not change their engine's timing belt at 90k miles as suggested.
But they wish they had when it breaks & destroys the enginge at 130k!

Preventative maintenance,..........it's a good thing.

That's it in a nutshell. Cheap insurance to replace springs.