variable rate recoil spring

For those of you that use these do you have a certain direction
you install them?
Heavy to front or rear.
Lamar H

PS I know racing valve spring do.

I don't think it makes a difference. I reversed it to see if it did, got same results. I suspect the lighter section will compress first. Spring weight increases as spring compresses. Therefore I assume as the lighter coil compresses weight to further compress will increase then the heavier coil will begin to compress and so on. From what I see on those I have the distance between coils changes from one end to the other, I haven't checked to see if wire diameter changes. I'm not sure that if I replaced the spring in a "Fish Scale" with a variable rate there will be a change to where the pointer points on the weight listing. Will the pointer move to 1lb if 1lb applied but if 2lbs applied it will be slightly less, maybe 1-7/8lbs and if 3lbs applied I get 2-3/4 lbs and so on?
 I don't know exactly how the variable rate spring is made, I did buy all the items needed to make an accurate spring tester but it's a project that sits with other projects like a barrel tester and a few others as other projects take priority. I need a project to prioritize my projects but don't have time for that either because another project comes along!

You didn't state what you were installing it in, but I am under the impression that variable rate recoil springs in 1911's can possibly lead to early unlocking and possible vertical stringing since they start at a light rate.

My feeling is that regardless of which end is in front the weaker portion should always compress first.

just sayin

Hello Lamar H,

If you are asking about variable rated recoil springs for a M1911....

The spring will have an open coil on one end and a closed coil on the other.  The open end faces toward the muzzle, just like a standard type recoil spring should.

Jim

The open side of the spring is done for the 1911 spring plug with that tab that protrudes into the spring hole. Quite a few newer plugs don't have it! The recoil spring has to be "screwed" into the plug. It's done that way so that when the bushing is turned the plug is not launched, prevented by the capture of spring.
 I know Wolff and others claim it's variable rate but I don't understand how that is but I know very little about spring manufacture! Yes I have wound a few springs but weight was done by trial and error. I don't know if the wire size is tapered but to the coil spacing is. Possibly the combination of both is used but I still don't understand how that changes the rate!

Froneck wrote:The open side of the spring is done for the 1911 spring plug with that tab that protrudes into the spring hole. Quite a few newer plugs don't have it! The recoil spring has to be "screwed" into the plug. It's done that way so that when the bushing is turned the plug is not launched, prevented by the capture of spring.
 I know Wolff and others claim it's variable rate but I don't understand how that is but I know very little about spring manufacture! Yes I have wound a few springs but weight was done by trial and error. I don't know if the wire size is tapered but to the coil spacing is. Possibly the combination of both is used but I still don't understand how that changes the rate!

My meager understanding of springs leads me to believe that if the wire is wound at a finer pitch it would have less resistance.
I remember installing cargo coils in one vehicle and the rolled bar was the same thickness thru out but different pitch rates at the ends.

The spring doesn't know or care how it is installed. It has one job and will do it either way.

Thanks for your replies,
The question was for 52, 1911 @41 especially.
Health issues and bad right shoulder and can only shoot 
22lr on league two handed weekly.
Have been shooting my Marvel conversion it is my lightest 
22lr but can't grip same after mag change.
Got out my 41 with cut off 5"barrel standard recoil spring
it would not function with Agula sv put in 6lb Wolf variable
and cut one coil for it to function.
Yes I know a spring does not know which way is put in but the part is moving
should. I thought maybe it might closing to quick before magazine push bullet
up.
Was going to try at league tonight but did not get go

Sorry for my rambling
Thank you all
Lamaar H

I tried them and they do not work for me

I got a few very light springs that were variable rate from Wolff because they were the only ones for the 1911 that started at 5 pounds. I used one in my conversion that has 1911 the light spring in it.

 I don't know how they work but if they did I would like the compression rate to be reversed, but I know it's impossible.  Maybe a Flux Capacitor Spring???

As previously mentioned a compression spring doesn’t care what direction they go. They do have an open end and a closed end. Personally I put the open end in the plug.

Technology speaking, the only factors that change a springs rate in lbs per inch are modulus of rigidity, wire diameter, pitch circle, and number of active coils. These factors are not all linear. The “progressive “ rate generally comes from the reduced number of “active coils” when the close pitched coils go into coil bind in the 1911 application.

Other applications use pitch circle to induce progressive rates. In other words, bee-hive valve springs in an engine, or barreled springs in a race car suspension spring.

The other thing to be aware of with progressives, is that the material in the “more open region” will deflect torsionally (twist) , more than any single coil does in a standard spring, so these springs fatigue faster.  You should monitor their free length and change them more frequently. Also, as mentioned previously, the gun will also not have the same resistance to unlocking as a linear rate spring will give. Pistolsmiths will have to weigh in regarding whether this is good or bad.

My gut feeling is to load for accuracy and spring for function.
A variable rate spring to me is just another variable to monitor or bite my butt.

I agree with Steve! I don't like light recoil spring pressure on closed slide. Accuracy is when slide is locked closed the same way every time.Variable rate will lessen the closed force. ( I think) Only reason I got Variable rate springs is because I wanted 1911 recoil spring in my Homemade .22 conversion and variable rate was only type that stared at 5 pounds so I got all those below 10 pounds.

Update on spring (LONG)
Once again thank you all. 
Today shot MD41 with spring flip
Weather temp, gun and ammo same 54deg.
AGULA SE old stock (no oil on ammo) would barley eject
but not lock back.
100 rounds same ammo with three drops oil rolled sandwich bag last weekend
worked 100% twice with 5 rounds in two different mags.The recoil was smoother
like a standard spring. 
Not life changing but will me use up five bricks of Aguula I have left.
l
PS- I do have my own theory why it worked for (ME)
Thanks to all of you
Lamar H