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So what weight Hammer/Recoil springs (variable/fixed?) do all of you use? I'm specifically interested in some of these custom guns - like Gray Gun 2, 1* and other custom jobs.

It really depends on caliber, size (Govt, Comm, Offcr), loads being used, etc.

Here are my rough guidelines which can/will change based on the loads used or other small variables:

Recoil Springs
9mm - Govt 12lb, Comm 14lb, Offcr 15lb
9x23 Win - Govt 18lb, Comm 20lb
10mm - Govt 22lb, Comm 24lb
.45ACP - Govt 18lb, Comm 20lb, Offcr 22lb

Hammer Springs
9mm - Govt 18lb, Comm 18lb, Offcr 20lb
9x23 Win - Govt 23lb, Comm 23lb
10mm - Govt 25lb, Comm 25lb
.45ACP - Govt 23lb, Comm 23lb, Offcr 24lb

As I said above other factors can/will effect the final choice. Things like bull barrels, flat bottom firing pin stop, lighter loads, heavier loads and of course actual function when test fired.

Thanks for the info.

Why would a bull barrel impact your decision on spring weight? (I wouldn't consider it sprung mass like the slide.)

It doesn't always affect it, but think about a bull barrel with a .356 caliber hole in it, there is A LOT more metal there than a standard barrel or a .45 caliber bull barrel. It is not always necessary to go to a lighter spring, but you must also consider forward movement, the return to battery. A bull barrel puts more weight out front so when the slide returns to battery it can make the forward motion feel greater in a bull barrel. As the slide comes to a stop it imparts a forward movement which can be enhanced with all of the extra weight out front and give the action a "clunky" feel, the same way a "too heavy" recoil spring can.

Not that timing and spring weights are vodoo arts but each gun can "feel" a little different and while a gun may not feel "bad" per se, often times spring tuning can really make a gun sing. A perfect example is a 10mm gun that has a 28lb recoil spring in it with an 18lb mainspring and "normal" radius firing pin stop shooting 200g bullets at 1100 to 1200 fps. Change that to a 20 or 22 pound recoil spring with an EGW square bottom firing pin stop and a 23 or 25 lb mainspring and it will feel very different because the forward and rearward motion will be more balanced, not to mention you can rack the slide without a partner.