I try to use as light a spring as possible to minimize battering the pistol going into battery, but like Kevin said, the key is watching the ejected brass.
I almost always use shock buffers and I always have an assortment of springs in my range bag if I need to change one out. If I need a spring that's a couple pounds more than factory I usually change out the firing pin stop first.
+1
I like to use as light a spring as possible & also use shok-buffs.
16.5 lb is the stock spring for a 1911 & I almost never use anything over 17.5 but I do use variable rate springs even with +P ammo.
IMO, heavier springs than 18 lb are simply not necessary & lead to more problems than they solve if the gun is set up right.
MM
