The gold colored plating adds about a half a gram or so to the weight from what I recall. As far as the debate on plated vs non, and which weight, nothing is better than any other, unless they are not tempered properly that they break. But personally my favorite springs are the stock clear springs. All the force curves I have seen for springs, are about the same spring rate, just start higher or lower on the graph, but all ramp up very close to the same rate. The one exception is clear springs. They ramp up MUCH faster. This is what I like about them. Again, your mileage WILL vary, as everyone's personal taste is different. Pick up a switch tester and go from there as far as spring weights.