1911 shock buff questions

The place to discuss your favorite centerfire pistols.

Moderators: Bullseye, Moderators

User avatar
Georgezilla
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:35 pm

1911 shock buff questions

Post by Georgezilla » Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:24 pm

Should I install a shock buff in a 1911 between the recoil spring guide rod and frame or between the recoil spring guide rod and recoil spring?

And how often should the buffer be changed?

User avatar
bearandoldman
Ye Loquacious Olde Pharte
Ye Loquacious Olde Pharte
Posts: 4194
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:30 am
Location: Mid Michigan

Re: 1911 shock buff questions

Post by bearandoldman » Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:45 pm

Georgezilla wrote:Should I install a shock buff in a 1911 between the recoil spring guide rod and frame or between the recoil spring guide rod and recoil spring?

And how often should the buffer be changed?
It mounts on the recoil spring guide rod under the spring, and whenever er it show wear. Will not work on the compact 1911's, not enough room for the gun to work.
You have great day and shoot straight and may the Good Lord smile on you.
Image

User avatar
Georgezilla
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Georgezilla » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:06 pm

Thank you very much! I had a 50/50 of guessing where to install it and of course, I guess wrong. It will be mounted in the manly sized government model so no worries.

stork
Advanced contributor
Advanced contributor
Posts: 333
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:12 am
Location: North Dakota

shock buff

Post by stork » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:14 pm

My recommendation would be to use the correct recoil spring instead. If your measurement of the collapsed spring is less than 1.6" (taken when the slide is at full rearward movement) you may have a spring that is actually stacked solid and not performing as a recoil spring should. (Bullseye correct me if my memory is off a bit on the 1.6").

When in full recoil your recoil spring should be strong enough to keep the slide from slamming into the frame. If you need a shock buff, your spring should be slightly stronger or your load may be too hot.

A gunsmith friend of mine told me once that in your last shot fails to lock the slide back (when shooting limp wrist), and your brass is in a nice pile 2-3' behind and to the rear then your spring is matched to your load.

FWIW
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.” – George Washington

User avatar
Georgezilla
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Georgezilla » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:02 pm

If memory serves I decided to install one based on advice from Bullseye. Not positive though as it took me awhile to get around to ordering them.

User avatar
Bullseye
Site Admin/Host
Site Admin/Host
Posts: 6382
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bullseye » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:11 pm

One is OK. Just don't be like some of the guns I see, where someone thought that if one was good, then two must be twice as good.

R,
Bullseye
Image

User avatar
bearandoldman
Ye Loquacious Olde Pharte
Ye Loquacious Olde Pharte
Posts: 4194
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:30 am
Location: Mid Michigan

Post by bearandoldman » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:22 pm

Bullseye wrote:One is OK. Just don't be like some of the guns I see, where someone thought that if one was good, then two must be twice as good.

R,
Bullseye
Two, might be twice as good but who wants a single shot 1911????? Have heard of guy trying them on the short barrel guns but they will not work, am not sure if they will work on a commander or not.
You have great day and shoot straight and may the Good Lord smile on you.
Image

User avatar
Georgezilla
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Georgezilla » Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:09 am

I installed the Ed Brown shock buff today. Unfortunately I ran into a problem. With the shock buff installed the slide doesn't have enough rearward clearance to allow the slide stop to function properly. There is enough rearward movement to allow the slide stop to engage and hold the action open, however there is not enough clearance to rack the slide using the sling shot method -- when I tried the sling shot method the slide was only pushing the slide stop down about 3/4 of the way.

So what would you suggest I do? I was thinking maybe sanding the shock buff down a bit to make it thinner, or cut a coil off the recoil spring (or just buy a new buff)

User avatar
Bullseye
Site Admin/Host
Site Admin/Host
Posts: 6382
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bullseye » Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:46 am

No, don't cut the spring coil. The shock buff is not an essential part of your pistol. Some 1911 pistol tolerances are too tight to use one of these buffers. If your gun has problems with clearance for the slide stop then don't bother using one. Are you seeing signs of battering on the spring guide or the rear dust cover of the slide? If not, then you really don't need a buffer.

R,
Bullseye
Image

User avatar
Georgezilla
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Georgezilla » Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:09 pm

I am not really sure what is expected wear and what is not, so I just took some pictures.

Frame:
Image

Spring guide (front):
Image

Spring guide (back):
Image

I noticed a couple things while inspecting these areas, but again I am not sure what is considered normal. On the front side of the spring guide I noticed the marring, presumably from the recoil spring. On the back side of the spring guide I noticed that the top part of the U shape appeared to have had the metal pushed down or recessed, but after inspecting the frame I noticed the same thing except it was the top part of the frame that was recessed -- So I think that might be by design to allow the two parts a nice fit. I wasn't sure so I figured I'd mention it

User avatar
Bullseye
Site Admin/Host
Site Admin/Host
Posts: 6382
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bullseye » Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:39 pm

How many rounds through the pistol?

R,
Bullseye
Image

User avatar
Georgezilla
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Georgezilla » Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:18 pm

Around 2,200. About all the rounds save for 50ish have been Winchester 230grn FMJ's to build up a good brass supply.

User avatar
Bullseye
Site Admin/Host
Site Admin/Host
Posts: 6382
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bullseye » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:10 pm

The wear is not excessive even though it's a fairly low round count. You should be OK. If you continue see more progressive wear with more Hardball then you may want to consider a little stiffer recoil spring.

R,
Bullseye
Image

User avatar
bearandoldman
Ye Loquacious Olde Pharte
Ye Loquacious Olde Pharte
Posts: 4194
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:30 am
Location: Mid Michigan

Post by bearandoldman » Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:22 pm

Bullseye, have you ever tried a firing pin stop with the small radius the way JMB designed it originally but the Army wanted it changed because it made it harder to hand cock the gun?? Slows the slide down a little on the way back and also helps reduce muzzle jump, I use a 14# progressive spring as well as I can remember and also use a shok buff. The gun is an SA Parkerized Loaded and it runs just great even with my 200 grain LSWC practice loads.
You have great day and shoot straight and may the Good Lord smile on you.
Image

User avatar
Georgezilla
Master contributor
Master contributor
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Georgezilla » Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:17 am

Out of curiosity which part of the spring guide was showing the wear?

If I were to install a stiffer spring for hardball what weight would you recommend? Right now it throws the cases (hardball) about 4' or 5'. For that matter could you recommend a few springs for pet loads because I am going to be getting into reloading very shortly and I'd rather ordered a good selection rather than make a few separate orders.

Thanks

Post Reply