Heavier recoil spring with lighter hammer spring ?

[kyron4]

I replaced the hammer spring in my 75B with a 15 lbs. Wolff spring. I have heard that the recoil spring has to be replaced with a heavier spring to compensate for the lessened resistance of the slide cocking the  hammer as the slide rides over it. Is this necessary ? Is there any truth to the theory ? -Thanks

[ocny17]

I don't think you need to replace the recoil spring; it should match the ammo load you're using. (i.e.  +P ammo will need a heavier recoil spring, and lower power or regular ammo will need a lighter or normal recoil spring)

[clayboy223]

I have heard that before as well, but I don't understand why you would have to.  The hammer will absorb some of the force when it cocks the hammer into the single action position, but I'm not sure if that is all added into the equation of the size of the recoil spring.

[Wahoo1 again]

It's absolutely necessary when dropping weight on a 1911 hammer spring, so far it doesn't seem to cause any frame battering on my Omega or PCR.   

[Tok36]

As i see it recoil spring are best gauged by ejection distance (ammo type) or muzzle flip. Lighter recoil springs with hot enough ammo will ware a pistol faster but we are talking about steel frames guns here. They should last a long time regardless.

If folks in competition commonly run 11lb recoil springs with 8.5lb hammer springs and shoot tens of thousands of rounds, compared to my shooting volume and marginally heaver setup i do not think i need to worry about it much. I do tend to load lighter ammo though.

Just the way i see it.

[Riptide439]

+1 Tok

For my SP01 I run 13# recoil and 11# main spring. Great DA. I beleive 1SOW runs the 8.5# in most of his comp CZ's