How to determine slide spring poundage?

[TackDriver284]

I have two Kimbers that I like to check for spring poundage? I may have swapped different poundage springs 15 odd years ago, and i havent been using the Kimbers at all. It's been in the case ever since and I want to determine what poundage the springs are? How do I verify this?

 

[FOTIS]

SECURE FIREARM PRODUCTS GOV'T LENGTH 1911 RECOIL SPRING TESTER

Check out SECURE FIREARM PRODUCTS GOV'T LENGTH 1911 RECOIL SPRING TESTER available Online at Brownells Today and many more Handgun Tools products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

I use this

 

[TackDriver284]

SECURE FIREARM PRODUCTS GOV'T LENGTH 1911 RECOIL SPRING TESTER

Check out SECURE FIREARM PRODUCTS GOV'T LENGTH 1911 RECOIL SPRING TESTER available Online at Brownells Today and many more Handgun Tools products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

I use this

That is neat and simple. I wondered about using my fish weight scale which has a hook on the bottom end, and put a zip tie or a heavy string under the muzzle, hook the other end to the fish scale and pull the slide back with the scale until it barely extends 100% to compress the spring and get the reading? Would that work to tell me if my spring is the weaker one than the P+ spring I had bought? It may not get an exact reading, just a thought on which spring is the P+ and the standard.

 

[FOTIS]

Not sure if that would work but I use this tool for all my springs. Beretta cz Spingfield 1911 etc....

 

[TackDriver284]

Thanks Fotis.

 

[TexasLife]

as long as the spring will fit on the rod (and not be to loose) you should get a decent reading. i've always thought about using a valve spring tester.

Pardon Our Interruption...

there are some that have a ruler as to be able to get measurements @ specific lengths. this way you'll be able to find compressed and in battery weights. those who have uncaptured recoil assemblies can benefit more by knowing this as it'll tell you/gives signs as it's weakening before a failure happens.

 

[Wenaha]

My Kimber ProTac II was giving me some ejection issues and was very stiff. IIRC, it had a 12 lb. spring... went to a lighter (9 lb.?) spring and problem gone and a little easier to operate. Love my Kimber.