How to test if your recoil spring is binding
Sometimes we need to install a recoil spring which is not exactly made for the length of our pistol. The issue then is how to know if the recoil spring binds (becomes a solid pipe), when it is installed inside the pistol.
To test this, install the spring and leave the recoil spring plug out of the gun. Pull the slide full rearward. Place a strip of masking tape on the dust cover... frame... and make a witness mark on the tape that's aligned with the end of the bushing. Make sure that the slide is FULLY rearward, against the impact abutment.
Install the recoil spring plug and again pull the slide full rearward. If the end of the bushing aligns with the witness mark, you're good to go. If the end of the bushing is forward of the witness mark...the spring is stacked solid, and is limiting the slide's travel. Clip a half coil and check it again. Cut a half-coil at a time until the end of the bushing lines up with the mark.
If the spring stacks solid, the slide is stopped by the spring and not the impact abutment. That will break the bushing in short order, and likely damage the slide in the bushing's lug raceway.
I find it easier just to align the edge of the tape. Place tape and cut between the moving part and non-moving part. No pencil mark.
Quote:
No pencil mark.
The pencil mark goes on the tape. When ya pull the tape off...the pencil mark disappears along with it.
Why not place tape vertically and align the tape edge? A horizontal cut will give a sharper witness reference.
That'll work, too. I've done it. The only problem I had was keepin' the tape from gettin' all squirrely when movin' the slide back and forth.
I just use a machinist's scale for a straightedge to make the witness mark.
Thanks for the info.
Is this the proper way?
If so mine is good to go. I have a buffer installed.