1911 Commander Size Spring Length

[MadMusk]

Anyone have a Commander length spring that can you get me a total length, in inches, not coils? TIA

 

[Jeppo]

@John Travis

 

[Walkabout Dan]

5.12 inches from colt.

 

[MadMusk]

Thanks!

 

[John Travis]

Anyone have a Commander length spring that can you get me a total length, in inches, not coils?

it's more complicated than just free length, especially if you're planning to step up to a heavier than stock spring.

First, is your pistol a true Commander length...4.25? If it's not, the standard Colt spring won't work.

Does your pistol have the standard plug and bushing recoil system? It yours has a bushingless, reverse plug system...it won't work.

Last...the free length is less important than the compressed length as installed in the gun, and that involves the number of coils and the diameter of the wire itself. If the spring stacks solid before the slide reaches the impact abutment in the frame, you're in for a bad time.

I know a guy who ordered a Wilson 20 pound Commander spring and dropped it into a stock Commander. 23.5 coils of .046 wire diameter. It stacked solid and broke his slide in the bushing lug raceway within just a few rounds.

So...a question:

What are your plans here?

 

[MadMusk]

Wow, thanks for the explanation but it truly wasn’t needed. As I said, I just needed a length of commander spring, which the post above you provided.

 

[John Travis]

thanks for the explanation but it truly wasn’t needed.

Well, it's at least a good reference if you ever start to play with springs in Commanders and near-clones. Not nearly as much wiggle room in the tunnel as there is with a 5-inch pistol.

 

[MadMusk]

Thanks.