Question regarding another post on this

[Lucky54]

The following quote was posted by TDH from handgun and rifle break in procedures post.

I have one handgun that requires the recoil spring to be replaced every 200 rounds.

My question is this:

What is the average lifespan of recoil springs for most handguns? The reason I ask is that 200 rounds does not seem like it that is a very long time. But I have NO knowledge of this type of weapon or recoil springs in general so maybe it is a good quality. And was wondering how long I had till I had to replace mine.

Thanks

PS: TDH I am NOT knocking your gun in the least just trying to learn things here about handguns in general.

 

[LACamper]

1000? 1500? I've had springs last much longer than that even.

Maybe there are some handguns that need spring replacement after 200 rounds, but none of mine. I'd sell that gun!

 

[Ske1etor]

Generally, 1911's are around 3,000. The shorter the pistol, the earlier they need to be changed. I swap will probably stick to around 2,000 on my CBOB.

 

[senseiturtle]

I agree with the OP... it seems odd to me that someone would be replacing springs after such a short time.

I would imagine that my Kel-tec .380 is the most suspect of my handguns for this type of wear/tear, especially considering the .380 is pretty "hot" for a 6oz gun. But my fullsize guns, I wont worry about them until they break.


Now, I do know of replacement springs that come with guide-rod lasers wearing out quickly, but that's a different issue.

 

[whbonney26]

I have a Glock 22 with well over 15000 rounds now. Never replaced the spring yet. That is my most fired pistol.

 

[BayouSlide]

On my competition Glocks I change the IMSI springs (13#) every 6,000 rounds, whether they need it or not

Here's some useful info from my maintenance schedule, all gathered from sources I consider reliable, FWIW.

IMSI recoil springs:
The recoil spring should be changed, at the latest, when it has lost 0.500” of free length from new.
At this point, the spring has suffered a considerable reduction in load exerted at installed (when the gun is in battery).
With an ISMI spring, practice routine maintenance and change it once a year or every 5-10K rds as a preventative measure.

For stock Glock recoil springs: Change every 15K -25K rounds as a preventative measure [every 5,000 rds. For G27]

Another guideline for recoil springs in general: whenever it's three coils shorter than the brand-new spring.

 

[Manimal]

I have several thousand rounds through each of my glocks and not a single thing has had to be replace, period.

I also have a 9mm from WWII with about 70 years and +-1000 rds through it and its all original.

 

[TDH]

As LSP posted it's a Rohrbaugh 9mm. It is the size of a Kel-Tec 380 and the recoil spring takes a beating. The manufacturer recommend changing it every 100 rounds until the last redesign which they now recommend every 200.

It's a phenomenal little gun and I can fit it in a pocket with no issues. It makes a Glock 26 look huge.

To each his own.