1911 questions

[280PLUS]

hello all. i have a few questions about my "new" .45

I am told it is a "ball" gun not a "wad" gun and i should be able to shoot higher scores with it if i lower the recoil spring tension.

anyone want to expound on the differences between wad guns and ball guns?

if i lower the spring tension and use the same loads will this lower the felt recoil?

will this also reduce the muzzle velocity?

is there a point at which, if the tension is TOO low, the gun will suffer damage?

anyone have suggestions for a good tension to start with for target?

then, try not to laugh here, when i disassemble my 1911, do i remove the slide and then the spring, or pull the spring first and then remove the slide?

and, lastly, cleaning tips? i'm not sure of the best way to clean the action.

ok, one more, where can i get an instuction manual? its an older colt.

thank you!

oh, no arguing! please.

 

[car541]

Older colt gold cups were delivered with 2 recoil springs.

One was standard spring which made the recoil of full power hardball (230 gr FMJ) ammo managable and prevented frame battering.

The second one was lighter and was set up to allow proper ejection with light loaded semiwadcutter target loads (I forget the 2nd spring's weight).

If you lower the spring weight with full power ammo, you will increase felt recoil, as the slide velocity as it get to the rear of its stroke will be higher.

By "improving the groups" with a wadcutter spring, the threory is to shoot lighter recoiling target loads (which most people shoot more accurately) and put in a spring that will allow the weapon to still function with those loads.

dissassembly: I remove the spring first, some others dont if they have full length recoil spring guides, but I have found it easier to break it down per the old method.

 

[280PLUS]

thank you,

i am shooting target loads in it and it has functioned flawlessly through about 250 rounds now. i shot a pretty good slow fire with it (open sights) but my timed and rapid are all over the place.

either way if i lighten the spring i will feel more recoil not less?

i know at some point i will have to start reloading myself and work on all that fine tuning, i'm being told 700 fps is the optimum

other advice i have received is "just keep shooting it"

would you or anyone know if ball competitions are shot 2 handed? we shoot ours one handed. just curious.

 

[Maddock]

280PLUS - would you or anyone know if ball competitions are shot 2 handed? we shoot ours one handed. just curious.

The formal bullseye shooting that uses Ball ammunition – such as NRA National Match and service competition – mandates one hand. Other competition, such as IPSC, IDPA, silhouette, where you could use the Colt are shot mostly two handed but not at the traditional bullseye target.

 

[45auto]

IMHO, the lighter spring will help keep the sight on target better. Less "dipping" of the bbl when a heavier spring returns the slide to battery.
Will that be noticable ?....depends on how quickly you want to be back on target.

The lighter spring, to me, alters the "felt recoil" by being 'snappier/quicker' than the heavier springs.

 

[at-home-daddy]

To disassemble: 1). Depress spring plunger, 2). twist bushing aside while depressing plunger, 3). remove spring plunger, 4). remove spring, 5). move slide back to appropriate spot and remove pin, 6). move slide forward off frame, 7). turn slide upside down, 8). remove FLGR (that's what mine has; can't attest to procedure for two-piece) by sliding back and up off barrel, 9). slide barrel forward and out.

 

[280PLUS]

continued thanks

to all

the info is greatly appreciated