1911 Recoil Reduction Project

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CommanderCrusty

CommanderCrusty

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My grip strength is a bit, shall we say, VARIABLE, due to illness, so I'm on a quest to tame the recoil of my 5" .45 ACP 1911. Here is my plan:

  • Stock 16 pound recoil spring for reliability, ease in racking the slide and no excess slamming of the slide as it closes
  • Heavier main spring (from whatever came in the pistol to a 25 pounder) to delay opening the action and reduce felt recoil (at least in theory)
  • Wilson Shok-Buff (yes, I will check it frequently and replace as needed)
  • Grip tape on the front strap
I have considered setting the gun up for 185 grain ammo, but most of the 185 grain ammo in stores is loaded to +P velocity and kicks just as much as 230 grain FMJ.

Would swapping grips make any difference? I have used the rubber Hogues with finger grooves, and the gun does kick less, but feels very bulky.

Are slim grips more controlable?
Do oval grips reduce felt recoil?

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.
 
Forget the shock buff, seriously.

Here’s my suggestion:

16 lb recoil spring
23 lb mainspring
EGW flat-bottom firing pin stop (or Wilson Combat flat-bottom FPS)

This will yield a very soft shooting 1911 in .45acp. The flat bottom FPS is the single most effective recoil reducing mod you can do.

Look up threads by 1911tuner to get the best info, also rcmodel has written on this setup.

You will need to cock the hammer before racking the slide if hand strength is an issue.

I’ll try to post links to info.
 
drband said:
Forget the shock buff, seriously.

Here’s my suggestion:

16 lb recoil spring
23 lb mainspring
EGW flat-bottom firing pin stop (or Wilson Combat flat-bottom FPS)

This will yield a very soft shooting 1911 in .45acp. The flat bottom FPS is the single most effective recoil reducing mod you can do.

Look up threads by 1911tuner to get the best info, also rcmodel has written on this setup.

You will need to cock the hammer before racking the slide if hand strength is an issue.

I’ll try to post links to info.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your feedback. I will head over to EGW and Wilson Combat for a look.

Does the flat-bottom firing pin stop require hand fitting?

Will the flat-bottom firing pin stop work with a series 80 pistol?
 
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?posts/8972202/

You need to read this entire thread and look for 1911tuner’s thread on m1911.org he mentions within this thread.

It has great explanations of how the stop affects recoil, how to fit and install one, and lots of useful observations.

It is NOT hard to do if you go slow and check frequently while fitting the new stop.

Good luck to you.

( I have done 3 of these, so while I’m NO EXPERT, I do have very positive experience with the mod. I have done my DW Heritage full size , a mid-size RIA .45acp, and my son’s SR1911 gov model. I did 2 with EGW stops —more fitting, and one with the WC stop—almost drop-in. I like the EGWs the best. )
 
Last edited:
CommanderCrusty said:
Thank you for your feedback. I will head over to EGW and Wilson Combat for a look.

Does the flat-bottom firing pin stop require hand fitting? YES

Will the flat-bottom firing pin stop work with a series 80 pistol?
Click to expand...
YES
 
Grip tape... I had grip tape on the front strap of my RIA (sold it, sorry I did) and liked it. I would suggest fine grit.

My son has the hogue wrap-around grip on his sr1911 and it shoots well but is more bulky as you said. I have rubber double diamond (stock) grips on my DW and find it very comfortable to shoot. I have medium sized hands.

I have G10 thin grips on my RIA double stack 9mm 1911. These can be aggressive or can be smoothed down with fine sandpaper to preference without affecting the look. Mine came from stonercnc.com. Every grip they sell is a custom order and the aggressiveness can be customized to your preference at manufacture. I asked to have mine slightly smoothed and am pleased with the result.

VZ also makes fine G10 grips but you have fewer options with them.
 
Agree with the flat bottomed firing pin stop, that will play a significant role in slowing the slide opening during shooting. I would stick with the stock 23 lb mainspring, and 16 lb recoil spring.
I find slim grips allow my medium / large hands to move around more than the standard thickness panels.

If you reload, I would suggest loading 185 or 200gr semi wadcutters at modest velocity, using those you may be able to switch to a 12 or 14 lb recoil spring.

I load a 200gr lswc in 45 with 4.8gr of hp-38. It gives great accuracy and little in the way of felt recoil.
 
Beat me to it by a cup of coffee.
All this tweaking and tuning of firing pin stop, springs, grips, etc, will have a SMALL effect on recoil.

The real answer is less powerful ammo that you are not likely to find "in stores,"
ASYM Practical Match and Atlanta Major are about 90% of standard hardball, similar to the reload manual "starting load."
Precision Delta has a similar load:
https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/45-acp-230gr-fmj-new-ammunition/

ASYM National Match is about 75% of +P JHP.

Wilson has a 200 gr SWC at 770 fps, about an 80% load, that is just about perfect.
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/45-ACP-...-Barrel-400-Bulk/productinfo/RA45-200-LSWC-T/

Zero loads 185 and 200 gr SWCs, velocity not stated, but you could call them up. It is most likely softer than hardball.
http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RZD&Category_Code=ZBA-45ACP
 
The 185 target loads...aka 'softball' will be about as pleasant a 45 acp as can be found. The pistol...as is...might function just fine with them, but I believe the Gold Cup's were set up for this ammo and using full power hardball can batter them more than you'd like. If the softball won't cycle, then spring reduction until you find the level where it runs and enjoy. Just be sure to not use the full power ammo in the gun if you set it up for the light stuff.
 
I agree that reduced power loads make a significant difference in perceived recoil. I do load my own 200gr LSWCs for comfort and accuracy.

Please don’t minimize the significance of recoil reduction by using a flat-bottom FPS. It is quite effective, though hard to measure.

Manufacturers have migrated to the standard radiused FPS for ease of racking. It does not mitigate recoil.

You will find that some custom shops use the flat bottom FPS in their standard setup. (Les Baer and Nighthawk Customs come to mind). Most of the others will gladly install it as an option.

To see the difference you have to shoot both types consecutively and observe the difference. (or switch the FPSs during a session) Very noticeable.

I use reduced loads AND the flat FPS. .45acp is as enjoyable to shoot as 9mm... actually it’s more enjoyable than shooting a polymer 9mm pistol.

It’s all good. Find what works on your setup and enjoy!
 
Another idea:
9mm 1911.
I've got full size steel 1911's in 45 acp my wife got a Ruger lightweight CMD 9mm, difference in recoil is obvious, 9mm is way less.
My wife shot 147 HST +P and 124 Golden Saber +P and then commented, "Maybe we can shoot some hot ammo next time"
Added capacity of 9 rounds in factory flush fit mag, or 10 rounds in a Wilson is a bonus.
Commander 9mm recoil spring is 14-16# according to Wolff; Ruger came with about 10# that caused sluggish slide return, I replaced it.
 
CDW4ME said:
Another idea:
9mm 1911.
I've got full size steel 1911's in 45 acp my wife got a Ruger lightweight CMD 9mm, difference in recoil is obvious, 9mm is way less.
My wife shot 147 HST +P and 124 Golden Saber +P and then commented, "Maybe we can shoot some hot ammo next time"
Added capacity of 9 rounds in factory flush fit mag, or 10 rounds in a Wilson is a bonus.
Commander 9mm recoil spring is 14-16# according to Wolff; Ruger came with about 10# that caused sluggish slide return, I replaced it.
Click to expand...

Good idea, CDW4ME. About a month ago, I rented a 9mm, steel frame, SW1911 5" at the local in-door range. I loaded it with whatever they gave me and shot a perfect 50/50 Dot-Torture score at 3-yards. It was easy.

But, alas, I am in Project Gun Mode and cannot simply buy a gun that recoils less. Heavens no! :)
 
There is some great advice in this thread. The flat firing pin stop helps a lot. A shock buff will help too. I know some people hate them, but they do help.

But the biggest help would have to be reloading. There isn’t much that shoots softer out of a 1911 than a 185 grain lead semi wad cutter at about 750 FPS. And they will still shoot through a 2X4. I’m no ballistic expert, but I think that would hurt.
 
I have a Ruger 10mm 1911 and had an EGW fbfps installed and it does make a big difference in recoil and how far the pistol eject brass. The Ruger before the fbfps would throw brass 10 to 12 feet now with the stop it throws the brass 6 to 7 feet. Granted you may not get the results I got but for the $15 for the EGW stop it can't hurt things either. Side note I have the Ruger LWT in 9mm as well I replaced the stock recoil spring with a Wilson Combat 12 lb spring might try to get to the 4ange this week to try it out.
 
You really want to reduce felt recoil, look at what the USPSA and other gun game guys are doing. Most run 15lb recoil spring in .45, with 17lb mainspring.

That's my setup on my .45. For my .40 Single Stack gun, a 13.5 lb recoil spring and 17 lb mainspring. Shoots flat and as soft as a major power factor gun can.
 
robertg5322 said:
You really want to reduce felt recoil, look at what the USPSA and other gun game guys are doing. Most run 15lb recoil spring in .45, with 17lb mainspring.

That's my setup on my .45. For my .40 Single Stack gun, a 13.5 lb recoil spring and 17 lb mainspring. Shoots flat and as soft as a major power factor gun can.
Click to expand...

The best thing they're doing to reduce recoil is loading low recoil ammo. It doesn't take much to reach Major power factor in a 45. A 230 grain bullet at 717 fps will do.
 
I like to run lighter 185 gr. and 200 gr. loads through my Colt Commander and Officers Model ACP as I feel it helps cut down on felt recoil somewhat. When I had a Gold Cup I used a Detonics Competition Recoil System assembly that worked great at reducing felt recoil. Still have it and plan on using it in my Colt Lightweight Government.

kdFbHlT.jpg
 
Here are three 45 acp factory loads I chronographed from a 5'' barrel 1911 with calculated recoil:
45 acp Federal 230 HST @ 891 fps / 406# KE - recoil energy 7.8 - PF 205
45 acp Winchester 230 Ranger T @ 915 fps / 428# KE - recoil energy 8.2 - PF 210
45 acp Remington Golden Saber 185 +P @ 1,157 fps / 550# KE - recoil energy 9.0 - PF 214
 
Additionally, whether or not they pertain to recoil, you can find some more of "tuner's" good read under his name, John Travis. Good guy and too dang street smart for his on good.:)
 
CommanderCrusty said:
Thank you for your feedback. I will head over to EGW and Wilson Combat for a look.

Does the flat-bottom firing pin stop require hand fitting?

Will the flat-bottom firing pin stop work with a series 80 pistol?
Click to expand...
They do require fitting though it's very easy. Plenty of tutorials online. I have both EGW and Wilson Combat. The WC fps take less filing (imo) than the EGWs. Both are excellent. They do have the series 80 versions.
 
You might try a Pearce grip sleeve. They are not expensive so it would be a cheap experiment. The sleeve will space your grip panels out by 1mm on each side and provide a polymer grip surface with finger grooves on the front strap. For me, this seems to mitigate perceived recoil somewhat.

http://www.pearcegrip.com/Products/Colt/PG1911-1
 
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