Do rental firearms old recoil springs make a difference?

Guns & Gear
#1

Hello all, I spent the last two days shooting at the range with my CCW’s and renting a few others. I finally tried the G30.4, G23.4, M&P 2.0 full size in 40, PX4 in 9, and Sig 229 in 40S&W, as I’ve been thinking about replacing my FNX9 for bedstand/occasional CCW duty.

My question is, if the range is a little lax on replacing recoil springs, how much difference would it show in recoil? I say this, as the G30 and G23’s ‘perceived’ recoil was much more than many of the firearms I either own or rented at the range (I don’t own any Glocks). I have shot every caliber in a Glock over the last 20 years (except the .380), so I am relatively familiar with their feel and trigger. I usually carry/shoot a compact 45 much smaller and lighter (with +P) than the G30 so I’m used to the 45’s recoil in a small firearm. I also own 2 40’s (one compact and one almost compact) so I’m familiar with the 40’s recoil in smaller lighter firearms.

Additionally, can anyone tell me how much difference in recoil/muzze flip is there between the M&P 40C w/ 4" barrel vs the full size? I was really impressed with the M&P40 full size, and might budget that in over the next few months.

#2

Recoil springs are HUGE in the aspect of performance they are also very significant in perceived as well as actual recoil.

To break it down Barney style:

The primary function of the recoil spring is to shove the slide forward after the slide goes to the rear by what ever means (firing or racking).

The secondary function is to keep the slide from impacting the frame.

In this secondary function is the grey area. If the spring is too high tension the slide may not travel far enough back to eject the fired round or pick up the next round (usually this is “limp wristing”) but it could mechanically stop the slide also.

If the spring is weak the full force of the slide is not stopped and the slide completely compresses the spring (turning it into a “solid”) that slams into the frame of the pistol. Think about taking a 3/8" pin punch to your favorite polymer or aluminum frame and hitting it with a 16oz framing hammer.

A correctly functioning spring will do two things:
a) allow the gun to eject and reload correctly
b) not impact the frame

If you think about the two ends of the spectrum above you can certainly see where a difference in felt recoil WILL be noticed.

Gun buying tip: I had a young lady student that had repeatedly rented a certain pistol at the local range and she loved it. Easy to rack, good grip, good sights a bit of recoil, blah, blah, blah. So she ordered a new one. Got said gun and COULD NOT rack the slide. The young lady was not of significant means and the purchase was very significant to her. Fortunately the particular pistol in question also came in a competition platform and I was able to get her a recoil spring that worked for her and didn’t beat up the gun. I bought her a 3 pack and said “Merry Christmas” in August :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Cheers,

Craig6

5 Likes
#3

Rental gun maintenance is probably not quite at the level you’d do at home, plus the guns have untold numbers of rounds through them so they are “well worn”. Big difference between the typical “range gun” and the same thing NIB. #1 son is a retired Marine and knew weapons well before he entered the Corps. He still laughs about the M16 he had in basic. Said he could hold it sideways, slap it, and the pines would fall out- said he could strop his weapon faster than anyone in the platoon😊

2 Likes
#5

YIKES! The range where I “moonlight” requires you to buy their ammo, but it’s all manufacturer’s ammo. I wouldn’t want to shoot someone else’s reloads… I’ve seen too many bad reloads cause issues:
image

I’m not saying you shouldn’t reload, but trusting someone else’s reloads makes me a bit nervous.

1 Like
#8

I’ll just mention, that I was shooting Rem UMC 40 S&W. I would assume that the Glocks were probably the most rented, which might have an affect on my experience that day. That’s why I asked.

Speaking of rental gun maintenance… When I was younger (and in another state), I rented a Colt Gold Cup. As beautiful as the fitting was, the slide must have been not cleaned properly, because I could feel the grit cause the slide to return to battery with a chattering feel on every shot.

1 Like