[lelandray]

I've been looking for a full time carry load for a Mark III that I've been working on, and I had heard several recommendations for the Cor-Bon 125-grain +P JHP. I had planned to buy a goodly supply online, but found a box in a local shop yesterday and brought it home. I fired a few rounds to check zero, and it hits dead center, though a little bit low. It's not enough to matter in a combat situation, however. So anyway, I ordered half a dozen boxes last night.

The question now is, since this is ammo to be used only in "black flag" situations, should I change out my recoil spring to an 18.5-pound? As with any other ammo I intend to carry, I'll shoot enough of it to guarantee functioning, but given my two carry guns' propensity to feed just about anything I choose to give them, I don't see this as a major issue. What I am worried about to some extent is that I'll begin to suffer failures with my regular plinking ammo, the plain jane 115-grain S&B ball.

Will the heavier spring affect functioning to any appreciable degree, or am I going to have to accept that I'll have some failures? If I don't change out the spring, will shooting a couple of dozen rounds of Cor-Bon every six months or so have any negative effect on my gun(s)?

 

[abninftr]

I've been carrying BHPs with an 18.5 lb springs loaded with CorBon +P for many years, so I can speak with some authority when I say the extra power (18.5lb.) spring works perfectly. I haven't had a jam with either the +P or my practice ammo.

 

[lelandray]

Someone else has made the same general statement about this, but the more verification the better.

I have two guns I want to function the same, so I'll order springs later today and get them in.

Have you noticed any excessive wear with the Cor-Bons--what load have you used most?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I routinely use Wolff 18.5-lb. conventional recoil springs in my 9mm Hi Powers. They've all worked fine with standard pressure ammunition, the exception being the light
bullet Aguila ammo. Now and then with that ammunition, I might get a failure to eject. As I don't shoot that ammo much except for testing, it doesn't matter to me. With all of the USA, UMC, AE, S&B, it works fine. Some of the S. African PMP is right on the edge as it is very lightly loaded according to the last couple of batches I've chronographed.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Hi%20Power%20Longevity.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/BHPandHighPressureAmmo.htm

Best.

 

[abninftr]

Ray, I haven't noticed any excessive wear. I carry the Cor-bon, and then shoot the carry ammo after a period of months during a range session. That way I know the ammo is fresh, and I am familiar with how it shoots. So, total my guns (for +2 primary carry guns) digest something like 50 to 100 rounds each during a year's time.

The carry guns all have 18.5 lbs. recoil springs and Shok-Tec recoil reducers purchased from Cylinder and Slide. Reportedly, they are no longer selling the Shok-Tecs.

I'm curious about your nickname. You don't drive a P76 do you?

 

[lelandray]

Not sure what you mean about a nickname, abninftr; I use my name as a username on forums, though I wish I'd thought to put a spacer between first and last.

I ordered three Wolff 18.5 pound springs yesterday, which will cover both Mark III guns and the really nice Hungarian knockoff. I'm going to leave this one with the stock spring, at least for the time being.