[HungSquirrel]

In simple terms, what are the benefits of putting a full-length guide rod and a stronger recoil spring into a 1911? Everywhere I read about people modifying their 1911s or BHPs, these seem to be among the most common tweaks. I'd like to know what these tweaks do before replacing the parts in my pistol.

I know a heavier recoil spring supposedly requires a much firmer grip on the weapon to allow the slide to cycle, but what are the benefits that offset this?

[stans]

Generally speaking the heavy recoil spring and full length guide rod have one purpose: to part the 1911 owner with more of his or her money. Honestly, I have two 1911's with a one piece full length rod, one with the short rod and a Commander with a two piece full length rod. The Commander feels like it cylcles a little smoother with the full length rod, but as for function it has made no difference. In the Government models, I see no difference, but my 10mm will always wear a full length rod for the extra weight and because of the heavier recoil spring. The one 1911 I have that has never, ever failed to function 100% is an old Army parts gun with a standard guide rod.

As for springs I like a 12 to 14 pound spring in the Government model for NRA bullseye target style loads. A 16 pound spring for normal 45 ACP. The 10mm gets a 22 pound spring for full power loads, 18 pound spring for FBI loads, put in an EGW flat bottomed firing pin stop and you can drop both of those springs down 2 pounds. The Commander gets an 18 pound spring and it sees only normal 45 ACP loads.

[Double Naught Spy]

The FLGR, contrary to some claims and beliefs, does nothing to improve accuracy. What it does do is add weight at the muzzle end of the gun, thereby reducing muzzle rise. If you go with tungsten, the effect is more apparent.

The heaver recoil spring will help to assure positive feeding of rounds that otherwise might hang up on the feed ramp. The heavier spring also helps to dampen the recoil by bleeding off more energy BEFORE the slide completes its movement rearward, spreading out more of the expenditure of energy over the distance the slide travels. So when the slide hits the rearward apex, it does so with less force.

Neither of these modifications are necessary, but they can be nice. They are functional cosmetic changes.

[Onmilo]

Full length guide rods do in fact aid in accuracy.
A full length guide rod reduces vertical stringing in most guns however the reduction is slight and unless you are shooting for money the addition isn't really neccessary. JMHO

A 16 pound spring is fine for almost all ammunition.
I shoot full house, full power loads and nothing else and I use 18 pound test weight Chrome Silicone recoil springs in my personal pistols.

I don't care for lighter springs unless the gun is used strictly for 'softball' target loads and nothing else.

[Phoenix_III]

Change of guide rod (my case was to a full length) can change your point of impact. The new rod supports the barrel in a different spot (in terms of how well or off it seats) and for me, changed the POI about 1.5+MOA. This is for a drop in part. The bushing on my gun could be tighter and if so may lower the effect of changing the guide rod.

[Richard.Howe]

1. FLGR improves accuracy on an imprecisely fit gun. My groups got smaller (and a little higher) when going from GI-style to two-piece flgr on my DW-PTE-S.

2. My SRP shoots 1-1/2" at 50 yards froma ransom rest, and about 1" at 25 yds in my hands. It has a traditional GI-plug recoil spring system. No FLGR needed.

There is no universal answer to the question "do FLGRs improve accuracy?"

[grendelbane]

A FLGR can also permit the use of a bull barrel, if used in combination with a reverse recoil plug.

Some believe that a FLGR improves spring life.

I got by quite well before I ever knew what a FLGR was, and if I could never get another one, I could still be quite happy.

[countertop]

I default to my father in laws position - honed after 30+ years in the Army and carrying his Colt on his person every day since the mid 60s.

The full length rod is foolish and just asking for trouble when the SHTF. Its simply another thing that can be broken, and by being so exposed, in true war type conditions, is vulnerable to being bent so as the gun can no longer function. He sees it as an annoying and unnecessary risk . . . when we went looking for my first 1911 that was his first reaction to seeing a Kimber. Gave the sales guy - who was selling them on how the LAPD trusts Kimber - a complete earfull.

[MoNsTeR]

FLGR's add weight out front, and marginally improve the feel when hand-cycling the slide.

Extra-weight recoil springs are of no use to those not shooting steady diets of hotter-than-standard loads. They will increase muzzle flip with standard loads.