Guys, Wolff's website says that the factory standard recoil spring for the 1006 is 18lbs. Is that what you would recommend when shooting full power loads a la Underwood & Buffalo Bore or would a somewhat stouter spring be more appropriate? Thanks for your help.
Lots of guys will say yes. Root around the interwebs and you will probably find such posts by some jerk named sqlbullet. :P
They have their place. But in general I have become a fan of shooting them as they came from the factory until/unless you are solving a specific problem. Smiled brass, evidence of frame/slide abuse, erratic velocity and a host of other items can be alleviated with a heavier spring, or some other change that will help slow unlock and eat up slide velocity.
The problem with increasing recoil spring strength is that what goes in, must come back out. That means when the slide returns to battery it will be moving faster and that can cause problems too.
In platforms where one is available, I favor a flat bottom firing pin stop. This change alters how early/quickly the hammer is cocked during the cycle. By giving the slide less mechanical advantage over the hammer, it eats up energy early, and slows down slide unlock. Unfortunately I am pretty sure no one makes one of these for the 10XX guns. You would have to make your own with a file.
I would suggest a new spring in a 10xx gun recently acquired. Wolff sells calibration packs pretty cheap, especially when you consider shipping. I would probably invest in one and try a few out.
I shoot U/W's 180's with the 18lb.But I choose no Nuke stuff,pistol is rare as opposed to the rest and does the job.But thats just me.
maxsnafu, I have had the S&W 1006 since new in early 1990, I run mine with the Wolff Gunsprings 22 lbs recoil spring, that also works with my Bar-Sto Match Grade 40S&W & 9x25Dillon conversion barrels ;D...it tames the recoil & slide velocity and brass doesn't go into low earth orbit! :o
I also have a 20lb & 24lb, but I find the 22 to be my best. The 24lb makes racking the slide tougher but will help with testing of heavy hitters or doing work ups of my own. The 20lb and 18lb work well for most but the brass will fly 25+ feet depending on the impulse of the cartridge.
On the shorter 4.25 S&W guns I run a 21lb from Wolff.
Good luck and best regards!
I use a 20lb with no problems up or down in power.
Thanks for the replies. My Fusion long slide came wit a 20lb. spring but the manufacturer advised a 24lb when I told him what I shot. The 1006 presents a different dilemma: That, and the other Smiths, were designed when the Norma load was around thus you would think that it's robust enough with the 18lb. That said, a 20-22 lb. spring doesn't sound unreasonable and there's something to be said for keeping your brass in the same county you're shooting in.
Recoil/main spring weight requirement is not the same across the board, especially when comparing different brand names. Slide mass changes from model to model, and more so from brand to brand. Locking lugs and hammers, in their specific current condition, play a larger part.