[r2d4]

I picked up a second gen 19 and its been great. What should I watch for to tell me when its time to change recoil spring? I have no idea how many rounds have been through it.
Thanks for any help.

[Jason D]

If you don't know the round count, change it.
5k rounds is standard for the replacement of a recoil spring in a 1911.

[tjpet]

Originally Posted by r2d4

I picked up a second gen 19 and its been great. What should I watch for to tell me when its time to change recoil spring? I have no idea how many rounds have been through it.
Thanks for any help.

With the gun pointing upwards pull the slide back an inch or so and release. It should snap right back into place. If it doesn't, or is slow to do so, replace the spring. A rough rule-of-thumb but one that's worked well for me over the years.

[r2d4]

Thank you. Thats the advise I was looking for.

[DWARREN123]

When extraction/ejection becomes erratic. Having said that a OEM recoil assembly is fairly cheap and having an extra on hand is a good idea.

[Roughedgekid]

As cheep as recoil springs are I would change it for piece of mind. While you have it down you might as well check the connector and other springs as well.I bought a used 22 and changed every spring in it for around twenty dollars

[Glockrunner]

Originally Posted by tjpet

With the gun pointing upwards pull the slide back an inch or so and release. It should snap right back into place. If it doesn't, or is slow to do so, replace the spring. A rough rule-of-thumb but one that's worked well for me over the years.

Glock's suggested field test is this:

With the weapon EMPTY point the barrel in a safe direction, pull and hold the trigger to the rear while performing the next step.

Now point the barrel upward about at a 45 degree angle and pull the slide to the rear and release it very slowly. The recoil spring should be able to return the slide completely forward and put the gun back into battery.

Not only does this test the recoil spring, it ensures the spring is strong enough to chamber ammo despite less than ideal circumstances.

I forgot to add; replacement of the recoil spring around every 3 to 5 thousand rounds will help to save the frame slide stops too!

[ColCol]

I did that test on a fairly new G30SF and a recoil spring with no more than 300 rounds and the slide stopped about 3/8" or so and then finally after a few seconds, went on into battery. Does that tell me something? I can't imagine the recoil spring needing replacement at 300 rounds.

[Keyhole]

Originally Posted by Glockrunner

Glock's suggested field test is this:

With the weapon EMPTY point the barrel in a safe direction, pull and hold the trigger to the rear while performing the next step.

Now point the barrel upward about at a 45 degree angle and pull the slide to the rear and release it very slowly. The recoil spring should be able to return the slide completely forward and put the gun back into battery.

Not only does this test the recoil spring, it ensures the spring is strong enough to chamber ammo despite less than ideal circumstances.

I forgot to add; replacement of the recoil spring around every 3 to 5 thousand rounds will help to save the frame slide stops too!

As above but with the trigger held,ride the slide forward until it meets resistance, then release and see if the RSA pushes the slide fully into battery.

[ColCol]

Nope-only when I barely start to release the trigger will it go home.

[Glockrunner]

Originally Posted by Elijah

Nope-only when I barely start to release the trigger will it go home.

Then either you need to clean the gun or, a new RSA.

[ColCol]

The pistol is clean and the spring is new(two were tried)...must be something else.

[Prince Herman]

Originally Posted by r2d4

Thank you. That's the advise I was looking for.

Wow! Not that it matters, but FWIW, the standard Glock pistol recoil spring (non-Gen4) is rated for 2k~3k rounds and they are indeed, inexpensive.