‘No matter what a manufacturer tells you never go more than 5000 rds before replacing the recoil spring in your pistol – and in most cases much less. This is one of the often overlooked reasons for malfunctions and part failure in a handgun; particularly in unit or department issued weapons’
-Larry Vickers
Vickers Tactical Inc.
Host of TacTV
Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical in a retired US Army 1st SFOD-Delta combat veteran with years of experience in the firearms industry as a combat marksmanship instructor and industry consultant. In recent years he has hosted tactical firearms related TV shows on the Sportsman Channel with the latest being TacTV of which Bravo Company is a presenting sponsor.Larry Vickers special operations background is one of the most unique in the industry today; he has been directly or indirectly involved in the some of the most significant special operations missions of the last quarter century. During Operation Just Cause he participated in Operation Acid Gambit – the rescue of Kurt Muse from Modelo Prison in Panama City, Panama. As a tactics and marksmanship instructor on active duty he helped train special operations personnel that later captured Saddam Hussein and eliminated his sons Uday and Qusay Hussein. In addition he was directly involved in the design and development of the HK416 for Tier One SOF use which was used by Naval Special Warfare personnel to kill Osama Bin Laden. Larry Vickers has developed various small arms accessories with the most notable being his signature sling manufactured by Blue Force Gear and Glock accessories made by Tangodown. In addition he has maintained strong relationships with premium companies within the tactical firearms industry such as BCM, Aimpoint, Black Hills Ammunition, Wilson Combat and Schmidt & Bender.
Larry Vickers travels the country conducting combat marksmanship classes for law abiding civilians, law enforcement and military and has partnered with Alias Training to coordinate classes to best meet the needs of the students attending the class.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
Tags: Alias Training and Security Services, Larry Vickers, LAV, Vickers Tactical
I have always wondered a good reliable round count for replacing recoil springs. Ive been getting a hint that I need to replace my M and P spring. My issued Glock spring has got to be way overdue for replacing. Ive shot 45’s with much less recoil. Ive put 5000 rounds in it since I have had it and I am sure its had that many thru it before I got it given how old it is.
So, your company/agency issues a Glock to you and has no maintenance policy/program?
So 9mm Glocks can regularly go well over 100,000 rounds without replacing anything, but should get the spring replaced every 5,000. I think it sounds silly and pointless.
5000 is a max number. 2500 is better. If you can afford 5,000 rounds worth of ammo, you can certainly afford $8 for a recoil spring.
It’s like oil in your vehicle, sure you probably DO NOT need to replace it, but for a minimum cost, you’re guaranteed that it’ll work when it HAS to work!
Zach
I’d love to know what drugs you are on if you think Glock 9mm pistols can routinely go over 100,000 rds without replacing anything – that is fiction
Unless you have personal knowledge ( as in you have actually done it ) of this be careful what you say in public as it lacks credibility to say the least