A tidbit of info on 1911 recoil springs

[Harrylee]

Well if your anything like me when it comes to replace the recoil spring in your 1911 you can’t remember what spring was in it. There are so many springs for the 1911, I’ve seen 12lb to 20lb for them. So when you look at them how can you tell? So I had several recoil springs in my parts box 16, 16 ½,17 and 18 so I get out my trusty Calipers and measure the springs and there is a pattern and this is what I found


16lb .044
16 ½ lb .0445
17lb stock 45 spring this one is easy .045
18lb .046

So I assume that all the other weight springs follow the pattern just remember the stock 17lb is .045 which is easy .045 for the 45