Application of an electrostatic restoring force to the mass of a gravity meter is equivalent to introducing a springlike force working in opposition to the mainspring. This destabilizing effect increases with feedback force and for astatic instruments becomes an important factor in design for operating ranges as small as 5 mGal. With short-period instruments the operating range can be extended by 2 or 3 orders of magnitude before the destabilizing effect becomes important. Theoretical results are verified by experiments conducted on a LaCoste and Romberg model G gravity meter.