Recoil adjustment on a Springfield 1911?

[His lordship.]

I am thinking of getting the basic military model of the Springfield 1911 pistol in .45 ACP for casual shooting, plinking, target, etc.  I shot an original WW 2 RemRand in excellent condition years ago and it had a very harsh kick, we were using GI 230 grain hardball ammo, and the experience had turned me off to the cartridge for recreational use.  I also shot a Glock chambered in .45 ACP, and it also kicked like a mule.  I am 6' 1" and weigh at 230 lbs, so I should be able to absorb recoil better than a smaller person.  

I recently shot a Kimber that hardly kicked at all.  The owner was using 185 grain handloads (I think that is what they were), and he said the gun was factory tuned with the right recoil spring to keep the kick down.  But he was using different bullets too as he was a handloader. :grin:

If I use a special recoil spring, a recoil buffer, and smaller grained bullets than 230 grain can I get that mule to not kick so hard?  Are 185 grain, ok to use all around, are there other lighter bullets for casual use that are affordable and available?

My local gunshop wants $399.00 for this gun new.  It would be alot cheaper than the top models of Springfield, or even a Kimber.

Thanks.

[securitysix]

You may have to play with recoil spring weights to get the slide to cycle, but you shouldn't need a recoil buffer.  Use bullets under 200 grains and faster burning powders (Bullseye and 185 gr. LSWC is a popular combination), and you should be in fine shape.

[HWooldridge]

200gr lead SWC and Bullseye or WW231 for reloads.  A fullsize model will kick less because of the weight.  You could also put a soft Pachmayr mainspring housing and grips on it to give a cushioning effect.  Softer recoil spring helps but can affect reliable functioning.

I'm 6'0 and 230 but have never thought that any .45 auto kicked much - especially compared to a .44 mag.  Is it the recoil or the "POP" of the report that is bothersome to you?  Good hearing protection always helps me to shoot better even though I'm already half-deaf.

[Mikey]

chris:  get yourself a set (or a couple of sets) of Wolfe Recoil Springs - in fact, get the recoil spring kit.  Get the 22 pound recoil spring set.  

Most 1911s are factory stocked with 16-18 pound recoil springs.  If you got one with a lighter set of springs your recoil will seem abhorently abnormal, as was the case with your WWII 45 which sounds as though the recoil spring was just plain worn out.  I have stocked every sing 1911 I have ever owned with those Wolfe 22 pounders and my 45s just keep shootin' 230 grain ball all day long.  

The kits are pretty inexpensive but are well worth the effort to replace them.  They also come in 18 and 20 pound strength, as well as the lighter target strength.  Get yourself a couple of sets and you should be much happier.  Hope this helps.  Mikey.

[Bob_K]

You are dealing with the laws of physics here.  F equals MA.  The bullet mass times its acceleration is equal to a force.  The pistol mass times its acceleration to the rear is equal to this same force because of another law:  for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction.  You want lighter recoil?  Shoot lighter bullets at modest velocities.  For factory ammo try the Federal 185 grain Target ammo, or the same in Winchester.  This is commonly known as wadcutter ammo because the bullet shape cuts a nice clean hole in the target, making scoring easier.  Stay away from 230 grain service pistol ammo, and 185 grain JHP high velocity ammo.  The same lower level of recoil can be achieved with reloads of light charges (like 3.5 grains of Bullseye) and 185 grain lead bullets.

Another way of reducing recoil is to make the pistol heavier.  Before red dot scopes, it was common to see Bomar ribs added to the top of the .45 pistol slide.  This added mass to the pistol, therefore the acceleration to the rear was less.  For Service Pistol competition where the 230 grain ammo was mandated, I would add an ounce of lead inside the bottom of my magazine to make the pistol heavier.  At one time there was a company selling brass and steel plates to go under the grips that would add mass to the pistol.  I think I still have a set of these.

Correctly holding the pistol also reduces the recoil.  Your hand wrapping around the grip adds mass to the pistol.  A firm wrist adds the mass of the forearm.  (A loose wrist decouples this added mass, and can hurt your wrist as the pistol flips up in recoil.)  A straight elbow adds the mass of the upper arm and shoulder.  Watch someone shooting and see the difference.  Firmly held, and with a firm wrist and straight elbow, the pistol and arm rises about three inches in recoil.  A loose wrist and the pistol violently twists up to a 45 degree angle!

Changing springs does not change the laws of physics, but can help in the perceived recoil.

The 185 grain ammunition is shorter in overall length, and is of a different shape than the 230 grain ammo.  It may take some tinkering to get your pistol to shoot it reliably.  One thing is the magazine.  The feed lips may have to be adjusted for wadcutter ammo.  Easier is to just buy some Metalform magazines.  Another possible change is the throating on the barrel, but now days, most barrels already come fully throated.

Light target ammo will not beat your arm and elbow, and you can shoot as long as you have the energy to hold the pistol up.

[Henry Bowman]

Dear Six Foot One Two Hundred and Thirty Pounder,
My eldest daughter (all 110lbs of her at 22yrs old) competes with a Commander in .45acp using full power ball.
Perhaps a class for you that would demonstrate proper technique might be in order?
Try using both hands with the strong hand pushing into the pulling weak hand which creates an isometric triangle of sorts.
Be firm but avoid a death grip, establish as high a grip as possible with the strong hand w/o getting the dreaded hammer bite!
Avoid locking the elbows, the weakside elbow may be pulled towards the ribcage or not depending on comfort.
Watch some Miami Vice Reruns, Don Johnson trained with the pros.