Full length guide rods? Gimmick?
- Thread starter Murdock
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10X
Member
I consider them a gimmick and/or fad.
There has been nothing that proves they add to accuracy or reliability.
Sometimes, they "seem" to add a tiny bit of smoothness with the recoil spring.
I don't think they hurt anything, but they really don't help anything either.
There has been nothing that proves they add to accuracy or reliability.
Sometimes, they "seem" to add a tiny bit of smoothness with the recoil spring.
I don't think they hurt anything, but they really don't help anything either.
LongRangeInternational
Member
Adds a little weight and makes for a smoother cycling gun. Little bit harder to take down.
hanno
Member
My Kimber came with a FLGR (this was 9 years ago). I put a lot of rounds down the barrel, then replaced the FLGR with a GI type. I didn't notice any difference in cycling. In the years since, I have not missed it.
I just bought a new 1911 and the first thing I did was replace the FLGR with a GI style guide rod.
I just can't see any advantage to the FLGR. YMMV
I just bought a new 1911 and the first thing I did was replace the FLGR with a GI style guide rod.
I just can't see any advantage to the FLGR. YMMV
sturmgewehr
Member
There is absolutely no evidence they improve anything (accuracy, reliability, etc.). The only positive attribute is that they add muzzle weight - not much - but some folks like having it.
Personally, I remove them from guns that I buy that have them.
Personally, I remove them from guns that I buy that have them.
14427H
Member
"According to pistolsmith Wayne Novak, full-length recoil spring guides do three things: "Make the gun harder to take apart, change the point of impact and make money for the guy who sells them." None of those are particularly good for the guy who has one in his gun."
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_147_24/ai_62655365
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_147_24/ai_62655365
MICHAEL T
Member
Waste of money
Crow1108
Member
Eh personally, as a younger guy (23) who never had any experience with a 1911 outside of the Kimber I picked up last month, things that bother older guys who have more experience with 1911s like Full Length Guide Rods and the Schwartz firing pin safety never bothered me. If it came with it, I'll use it. If it didn't, and it's something necessary (like a spare magazine or three) or enhances the operation of the pistol enough to justify the cost (light night sights), then I'll put down the money for it. Anything else I can't see the point of, I won't buy. I'm married and on a fairly tight budget, so I'm fairly selective about what I buy with my play money.
I hate the two piece full length guide rods because they like to loosen up where they screw together. I don't mind the one piece full length guide rods and the GI set up works just fine. I have never changed a gun that came with the GI set up.
GigaBuist
Member
My last interaction with a FLGR resulted in bloody fingers and some pretty good dings on my walls.
Reassembly of the pistol for the first time with a regular guide rod was so much easier. It was as if the spirit of JMB himself was guiding my hands. Pure joy.
Reassembly of the pistol for the first time with a regular guide rod was so much easier. It was as if the spirit of JMB himself was guiding my hands. Pure joy.
hanno
Member
I have some ummmm "mysterious" dents in my wall also. Strangely, they occurred around the same time I still had a FLGR.
Technosavant
Member
I don't know that I'd call them a gimmick, but I would call them an answer to an unasked question. The things they supposedly help with are only matters of very small importance; the recoil spring in a 1911 generally doesn't bind anyway, and the weight at the muzzle is generally pretty small. However, they do indeed complicate disassembly (but IMO, not by much), and the two piece ones can come unscrewed (mine never has, but it can happen).
Generally, if a 1911 has one, I don't run out to replace it unless it becomes an issue. If a 1911 doesn't have one, I'd never add one.
Generally, if a 1911 has one, I don't run out to replace it unless it becomes an issue. If a 1911 doesn't have one, I'd never add one.
Black Majik
Member
I consider FLGR to be a gimmick also, but if they come with a 1-piece guide rod, I'll keep em' in the gun, such as ones found on Kimbers. While they're suppose to reduce muzzle flip and help the springs from kinking, I feel the disadvantages outweigh the pros.
While I doubt I'll ever have to, it's nice to know you can charge a round by depressing the recoil plug on a hard surface with a GI rod and plug setup. No can do with a FLGR setup.
Also, many semi-custom makers produce their pistols with the GI rod and plug setup instead of a FLGR.
I dunno, I prefer the GI rod and plug setup.
While I doubt I'll ever have to, it's nice to know you can charge a round by depressing the recoil plug on a hard surface with a GI rod and plug setup. No can do with a FLGR setup.
Also, many semi-custom makers produce their pistols with the GI rod and plug setup instead of a FLGR.
I dunno, I prefer the GI rod and plug setup.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Massad Ayoub reviewed the Les BAER SRP in Guns magazine for march- on page 58 he talks about how Baer does not use full lenth guide rods in his pistols and he quotes Baer as saying " I hate the things, as far as I am concerned they are the biggest gimmick on the market"
list price on that gun is 2339.00 so i know i will never own one!
list price on that gun is 2339.00 so i know i will never own one!
351 WINCHESTER
Member
They are a waste of money and you don't have the option of bump cocking the slide. I have one in my 1911 and hate it. I gave my recoil buffer to a good friend who won't use it and as soon as I get it back the full lenght guide rod is going to be replaced by the spring loaded recoil buffer.
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