Wolff recoil spring replacement longer than Kahr original

[Romadoc]

I ordered two Wolff replacement recoil spring to complement the also new stainless Lakeline rods. I figured that given the originals had been in the K9s since 1998, it would be prudent to replace them now. However, even though they are the standard 20# spring, they were an absolute strain to use. While I was straining to insert them, I measured them as compared to the originals. They are almost 2 coils longer. Should I cut them or struggle every time I have to clean the pistol?

[wyntrout]

Faced with a similar situation when I ordered new versions of springs for my P40 and P9 and PM45, it was a struggle to assemble the recoil springs into the slide as they were about 2 coils longer.

After assembly, the test was to see if the slide could be locked to the rear... if so, okay, but with several of the pistols, I could not compress the new spring enough to lock the slide back with the slide lock. I trimmed a coil and the about half a coil at a time until the slide would just lock back.

With a proper length new spring, it will definitely be longer and hard to install the first time, but newer versions for newer pistols may just have too many coils and won't compress enough to function properly, even after taking a set.

I was using Kahr springs, though they supposedly are made by Wolff. They had two styles for each pistol and I chose the new models... should have gotten the "old" models!

Be careful on trimming recoil springs as they are always longer when new, but take a set becoming shorter(same number of coils) and functioning as designed.

The P40 spring was a real bear and the hardest ever to install... then the slide would not lock back... too much spring!

Wynn :)

[CJB]

forget the length, keep the coil count the same

unless

you have a micrometer, and find that the new spring wire is a different size than the original

[RonW]

Guys, when you get a new recoil spring its not unusual to see the new spring slightly longer than the old, this is due to the old spring being compressed from repeated usage. I've ordered several springs from Wolff over the years and they are the best in the industry. Mag springs, recoil and striker springs, they're all good! When I replaced the recoil spring on my CW40 it was a real bear to get it in the slide, and yes, it was slightly longer than the old one. Fast forward a year and now its not a problem. I still have the original old spring and guess what? its the same length now as the old one...