Rootin Tootin Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 I have had this full frame model 45 automatic for 15 years and want to set it up for WB but still be able to carry. What do you suggest for springs that will handle the lighter loads but still be serviceable for normal loads that are a jacked hollow point?? Thanks RT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Don't even need to change springs. Wild Bunch loads are not that light and full power springs will run fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 There is also a dedicated Wild Bunch forum. http://www.sassnet.com/wildbunch/forum/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Sounds like you are setting up a gun for Traditional category. Quite possible to leave it sprung as the factory made it. Myself, I go slightly lighter on the recoil and mainspring, 15# recoil and either 19 or 21# (that lighter mainspring will make it a bit easier to rack the slide). To tune springs, look at how far the gun throws your empties. If they are within a big step from where you are shooting, you might go lighter. If they are more than 3 big steps away, you should go heavier. If you are going to shoot more practice self-defense loads than at WB matches, and need to count on your gun, leave the springs as is. If you commonly shoot one-handed (Traditional in WB), a lighter mag release spring will help you actuate the release with your strong hand thumb. What you DO want for sure is a crisp trigger, higher sights (if yours does not have them), and a beveled mag well opening. PERHAPS a lowered ejection port (but with a properly set extractor, that port lowering is NOT really needed). And smoothing the action throughout. All of those improve the Series 80 for carry as well as for WB. If you want to deactivate the firing pin safety to save 4-8 ounces on the trigger pull, then put in the "replacement" parts for the FP safety. Aim for a 3.75 to 4.25 pound trigger, crisp and short with no overtravel. That may mean you put in a different trigger than Colt provides. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I use my 1911s bone stock with all loads . Just saying :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 My opinion, others may differ... A 1911 set uo for NRA bullseye matches may use lower power springs and low pressure rounds since the shooter most shoot within a fairly lax time requirement. Using a 1911 for shooting IPSC or WB where the fastest shooter wins, means that slide speed and reliability are critical. Fast slide speeds are why the .38 Super and .40 S&W dominate open classes in IPSC. Low power springs mean slower slide speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 As you can see opinions differ on the subject. My suggestion is to start with the gun bone stock and go from there. A good quality stock 1911 needs very little done to make it into a gun for Wild Bunch competition. Blackfoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 As you can see opinions differ on the subject. My suggestion is to start with the gun bone stock and go from there. A good quality stock 1911 needs very little done to make it into a gun for Wild Bunch competition. Blackfoot Amen ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 If it works-Don't 'fix' what ain't broke. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I have never shot WB but I have put more than a few rounds through a 1911 Colt series 80. There was absolutely nothing about that series 80 that required altering for casual shooting/concealed carry and in my estimation a shooting sport similar to WB where the targets are close and stationary. Sure, any 1911 can be sent to a gunsmith for refining. But how much do you really need? Unless your trigger is exceptionally gritty, breaks very hard, or catches on something during pull I'd leave it alone. As far as ammunition is concerned, I have shot light loads, handloads, self defense loads, and standard ball ammo with no problems whatsoever, ever, with the factory springs. In a game gun play with the springs all you want if that suits your fancy. In a carry gun, leave it stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G W Wade Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Hey RT, good to talk to you at Gunsmoke, even if only briefly. My wb gun got 10-8 sights, trigger job and beveled mag well. Let 'er buck, pard GW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Dick, SASS #12880 Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 I shoot a current production 70 series Mk IV Colt for traditional and a Kimber Custom II for modern. Both guns are bone stock except for lighter magazine release springs from Wolff. I do replace the recoil springs from time to time using Wolff springs in the standard 16 pound range. Using 230gr bullets with a power factor of about 175 and Chip McCormick magazines (the cheaper ones), my guns are accurate, soft shooting, and spooky reliable. These guns are well broken in and the triggers on both break at about 4 pounds. I wouldn't hesitate to use either as a carry gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowCatcher Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 My opinion, others may differ... A 1911 set uo for NRA bullseye matches may use lower power springs and low pressure rounds since the shooter most shoot within a fairly lax time requirement. Using a 1911 for shooting IPSC or WB where the fastest shooter wins, means that slide speed and reliability are critical. Fast slide speeds are why the .38 Super and .40 S&W dominate open classes in IPSC. Low power springs mean slower slide speed. It was my understanding that the Bullseye guns set up for a 185 JSWC at 700 - 750 f/s usually ran a softer spring due to the light recoil impulse this reduced load produced. With a lighter main spring, and such a low impulse, it only required a #14 spring to operate reliably. I also understood that the .38 super and .40 S&W loads used a lighter bullet (147gr or so) at higher velocities to provide speed enough to make major (147 at 1200 would do that) and also to utilize the higher velocity gas in a compensator, thus reducing muzzle climb even more, and getting faster follow up times. The .45 at major makes around 800 f/s, thus the gasses are not very useful. Not sure how slide speed per-se comes into any of that? Could you explain that to me please? Shadow Catcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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