MICHAEL T
Member
Iam from the no way camp 45 worked for many a year without Just something extra to break.
Full-length guide rod for 1911? Yea or nay?
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Badger Arms
Member
For those that wonder, the 45 already has a guide rod, just a shorter one. Don't know what's wrong with making it longer. Just because John Browning didn't make it that way doesn't mean it's a good idea. Look at beavertails. The 1911 needs one, the High Power shoulda had one.
nero45acp
Member
A couple of years ago I asked a crusty, older gunsmith if he thought I should install a FLGR on my 1911. His response; "If John Browning had wanted it to have a full length guide-rod he'd a put one on it."
nero
nero
SAWBONES
Member
"They aid in accuracy..."?
Nah.
One of the gunrag scribes recently even did a formal test (was it in American Handgunner, I think?) on a sample of 1911s, set up and shot with, and then without FLGRs, and the guns shot MORE ACCURATELY with the standard setup (recoil spring plug), though the difference was minimal, and likely attributable to chance, though the guns certainly didn't gain any improvement in accuracy by employing a FLGR.
IMNSHO, this is just another one of those "gun fashion" things with 1911s, like two-tone color schemes, front slide serrations, and mag funnels.
Can they serve a useful function? On a "game gun", yes, or at least maybe, but on a CCW gun?. No.
That's how all of these "gun fashion" things started out, as helpful factors for top competitors in IPSC, then Joe Shmo noticed it and thought it was "cool", and decided that he had to emulate it on his 1911, even though he couldn't really make any genuine use of the features in question.
Front slide serrations helped chamber checking and reloading in pistols with optical sight mounts which interfered with access to the rear slide serrations.
Two-tone color schemes were originally seen on guns with hard-chromed frames (to protect them in the increased handling they got with much IPSC practice), with the slides being left blued in order to reduce glare while acquiring a sight picture. (I'm amused when I see guns with the opposite useless color scheme, with silver slides and dark frames; that TRULY just "gun fashion"!)
Mag funnels obviously can assist and speed up reloads on a competition gun, but they add bulk and weight with absolutely no needful purpose on a CCW gun, yet many modern factory 1911s come with these as stock nowadays!
FLGRs never did serve any useful purpose except perhaps as a way of putting a bit more weight up front (especially if they're made of tungsten), though full-length dust covers do that better on a game gun.
Personally, I can't stand any of the above "gun-fashion" features on my own 1911s.
You may like 'em, and more power to ya if you do, but to rationalize their place on your gun as anything more than simple personal preference is silly.
Best.
Nah.
One of the gunrag scribes recently even did a formal test (was it in American Handgunner, I think?) on a sample of 1911s, set up and shot with, and then without FLGRs, and the guns shot MORE ACCURATELY with the standard setup (recoil spring plug), though the difference was minimal, and likely attributable to chance, though the guns certainly didn't gain any improvement in accuracy by employing a FLGR.
IMNSHO, this is just another one of those "gun fashion" things with 1911s, like two-tone color schemes, front slide serrations, and mag funnels.
Can they serve a useful function? On a "game gun", yes, or at least maybe, but on a CCW gun?. No.
That's how all of these "gun fashion" things started out, as helpful factors for top competitors in IPSC, then Joe Shmo noticed it and thought it was "cool", and decided that he had to emulate it on his 1911, even though he couldn't really make any genuine use of the features in question.
Front slide serrations helped chamber checking and reloading in pistols with optical sight mounts which interfered with access to the rear slide serrations.
Two-tone color schemes were originally seen on guns with hard-chromed frames (to protect them in the increased handling they got with much IPSC practice), with the slides being left blued in order to reduce glare while acquiring a sight picture. (I'm amused when I see guns with the opposite useless color scheme, with silver slides and dark frames; that TRULY just "gun fashion"!)
Mag funnels obviously can assist and speed up reloads on a competition gun, but they add bulk and weight with absolutely no needful purpose on a CCW gun, yet many modern factory 1911s come with these as stock nowadays!
FLGRs never did serve any useful purpose except perhaps as a way of putting a bit more weight up front (especially if they're made of tungsten), though full-length dust covers do that better on a game gun.
Personally, I can't stand any of the above "gun-fashion" features on my own 1911s.
You may like 'em, and more power to ya if you do, but to rationalize their place on your gun as anything more than simple personal preference is silly.
Best.
I think the FLGR may help a loose 1911 keep the slide more centered on the frame, better/more consistent ejection which should help in reliabilty IMHO. Rattles less and feels smoother.
On a target/range gun, I think it's an advantage.
Carry/casual gun, doesn't matter either way.
Obviously, the 1911 has worked a long time without one.
On a target/range gun, I think it's an advantage.
Carry/casual gun, doesn't matter either way.
Obviously, the 1911 has worked a long time without one.
Chris Rhines
Member
"Personal preference" often equates to "getting more hits, faster." If a full-length guide rod can help me shoot faster and more accurately, then I'd prefer to have one. If not, then not.
- Chris
- Chris
Zach S
Member
You wont find a FLGR in any of my 1911s. I took the FLGR out of my Kimber Polymer (5"), Kimber compact (4"), and my Para Companion (3.5"). I've yet to have any problems. My Colt came with the right one installed already. I even have a few spares, (one stock replacement, and one cut-down FLGR), in case I buy a 1911 on impulse that has a FLGR.
My Polymer Stainless has the backwards finish you describe. I love a two-tone pistol, but I hate the backwards finish. I'm having it tefloned just so it wont be backasswards anymore.
Dave Sample
member
I like 'em. FLGR's have been installed in every custom gun I have ever built in a five inch size. I also am a big fan af front grasping grooves for match shooting as it gives me a very safe way to load and unload the 1911 at various matches. The main reason I like FLGR's is that they may keep you from losing a nice finger when you are being cool and "pinch checking" your 1911. They also extend recoil spring life and keep that spring from snaking around in the dust cover and making those funny noises when you pull the slide back. They do not improve accuracy as far as I know, but they are easy to install and un-install and cost money so that 1911 guys can buy a nice part that will "Drop In." I use CP Shok-buffs with them, too. That should start the fur flying!
Why stop with a FLGR? Why not install tiny roller bearings on the frame to improve "smoothness" and keep that slide lined up with the frame? Or forget the recoil spring altogether and install a miniature hydraulic system tuned to absorb recoil and return the slide to battery?
feh. Leave it alone. It's perfect as is. Unless you're smarter than JMB
feh. Leave it alone. It's perfect as is. Unless you're smarter than JMB
Treylis
Member
Well, it's one of the heavy tungsten ones, so it does actually seem to help. That's the only reason why I have it on, the other arguments about spring binding, etc., seem specious to me.
Badger Arms
Member
Specious is such a cool word. I still don't know what it means but it sounds really cool. One thing that the guide rod does is make the gun 'feel' more sound.
That spring noise bothers me as much as a rattle in my car. Can't tell you how much expanding foam, foam double-stick tape, and duct tape I've used tracking down rattles in my car. The binding spring just annoys the crap out of me.
That spring noise bothers me as much as a rattle in my car. Can't tell you how much expanding foam, foam double-stick tape, and duct tape I've used tracking down rattles in my car. The binding spring just annoys the crap out of me.
Dave Sample
member
I love this FLGR stuff. That's what makes Horse Races! I guess what I have found out that like all the forum stuff, it's just a matter of opinion. No facts, just opinions. All the tests that I have read are non-conclusive, so I think that everybody must be right!
sm
member
Hey the way I look at it, less stuff to keep up with when taking apart, less chance of forgetting to put it all back in. Don't you hate it when something is back together- and one part "winks" at you laying on the bench.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=Specious&x=15&y=14
One entry found for specious.
Main Entry: spe·cious
Pronunciation: 'spE-sh&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, visually pleasing, from Latin speciosus beautiful, plausible, from species
1 obsolete : SHOWY
2 : having deceptive attraction or allure
3 : having a false look of truth or genuineness : SOPHISTIC
- spe·cious·ly adverb
- spe·cious·ness noun
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=Specious&x=15&y=14
One entry found for specious.
Main Entry: spe·cious
Pronunciation: 'spE-sh&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, visually pleasing, from Latin speciosus beautiful, plausible, from species
1 obsolete : SHOWY
2 : having deceptive attraction or allure
3 : having a false look of truth or genuineness : SOPHISTIC
- spe·cious·ly adverb
- spe·cious·ness noun
Jammer Six
member
Geez, is it time for the summer hatch already?
Fishing lures aren't made to catch fish, they're made to catch fishermen.
FLGR's aren't made to help the gun, they're made to sell.
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