Flat spring kit
Installation on a S&W 1911TA (full sized) is straightforward. Noticed an improvement immediately with recoil/feed.
Would you recommend this?
Yes, I would recommend to a friend
I love the flat recoil springs
If you compare a braided or coil spring verse a flat spring it's just night and day difference. The flat springs seemed to be smoother and softer. the only issue I've ever seen with flat springs is gun owners using reduce powered springs and flat causing their firearm not to be reliable and have feeding issues. I would definitely recommend it.
Replaced a Full Length Guide Rod
I have a Springfield Armory, 1911A1, Model PX9104L, 5 barrel, with a factory full-length guide rod. The guide rod is terrible; it loosens up, and replacing a spring is a nightmare I had enough. My rounds were failing to feed indicating the spring needed to be changed out. I decided to apply a solution to the guide rod coming to loose it was the flat wire recoil spring and new recoil spring plug. The 17# spring function with no issues; loaded all rounds into battery with no issues. The only issue I experienced was the plastic buffer included prevented the slide from being released when locked. Removing the plastic buffer resulted in no change of function and did not induce any malfunctions.
Solved failure-to-feed issue
Our 30-something year old Colt Gov. model .45 was having failure-to-feed issues. After installing this kit, all is well.
Must have for Kimber Pro variants
This Flat Wire Kit is installed on my 4" Kimber Pro models prior to shooting the first round. The factory 22lb spring is recommended to be changed out at 800 rounds, the Flat Wire spring is rated to last four times as long.
Easy install
Part of my first 1911 build, one of the few drop in parts that did not need fitting, the kit came with a #17 spring, I also bought a #20 that fits great with the guide rod as well just slight more tension for the +p loads but both springs cycle much nicer than the mil spec spring I had on it to begin with.
Kimber Upgrade
I'm a no-nonesense kinda guy but I have been wanting to add some better features to my original frame Kimber 1911 purchased some 24 years ago. It has seen many thousands of rounds and only changed the original magazine release due to the lock screw stripping out. only a couple of years ago did I buy a barrel bushing compensator and wow, what a nail driver. So I decided to add some tactical and cosmetic upgrades in brushed stainless steel. The flat spring guide rod kit (which is necessary with the compenator and it feels much tighter than it has any a while), guide rod plug, slide lock (which is better than the original and a little bigger for quicker release) and a tactical magazine release which gives a bigger button to push. The only issue I am having with the magazine release is that it is a bit tight when loading the mags. I need to slam them in so they lock (I use Wilson Combat mags). Other than that small issue, I am very pleased with the purchase. Next will be the matching thumb safety and grip screws.
Top line
Far better than stock style if you shoot a lot. Even with a short guide rod it compresses far straighter than round, and they really do last far longer than stock round, no matter whos brand or material the round springs are made from. The only way to do better is go with the full length rod and this spring in a set, but not all people like full length rods do to percieved veiws on friction and complexity of some other brands to disasembly. For the competition shooter this is a great upgrade, and for the average shooter, this kit plus a spare spring and a dozen buffers and it'll outlast most people and some parts on their pistol. Best money you can spend on a spring hands down.
really like it
got this to put in my new 1911 Springfield parkerized loaded. wanted to do away with the 2-piece guide rod from the factory so i wouldn't need a allen wrench to take a part my gun. Wilson Combat parts are very nicely made and looking forward to seeing how the flat spring works out. from what others say should be just fine and maybe a little batter then the factory spring. just know i've used fat spring on other things with good results. don't forget to get a GI plugs here to complete the set-up and you'll be good to go.
great so far
finally replaced the two piece rod on my Springer Loaded. used the Ed Brown plug Brownells also sells. easy install, my Loaded only had 200 rds through it but the flat spring still provides a more noticeable snap back into battery. really pleased with purchase.
