1911? Replace FLGR with GI rod & plug?

[PO2Hammer]

I have a full size 9mm 1911 with a full length guide rod and the plug with hole. I would like to swap them out for GI style parts.
Since this is an accuracy first range gun, is there any possible loss of accuracy?
What's the big attraction to FLGR's?

I want to reduce a bit of weight, have GI takedown and improve the looks.

 

[littlelefty]

I don't know what the attraction is; my 1911 came with a FLGR so I took it. It was listed as a "feature".
I also cannot speak to accuracy with or without the FLGR, but I can tell you from experience that if one owns a conversion kit and goes to the range without the FLGR wrench, the conversion kit doesn't get used. I changed my FLGR to a GI style.

 

[CapnMac]

The FLGR is said to prevent the spring from coiling up and bearing up against the bottom of the barrel. But, that would only occur during the last end of recoil travel, when the barrel is rotating down on its lin anyway.

FLGR really dates to a time before when captive springs were considered normal.

Guide rod can bear against the bottom of the pivot pin, which might (or might not) help press the barrel up into the slide recesses.

The real issue is slightly more complicated. So very much of pistol accuracy is mental; you almost have the think the gun is accurate for it to be actually accurate.

So, don't toss out the old parts. GI style really is much easier for cleaning, for assembly/disassembly. Which means you can be more confident in the arm. And, confidence counts.

But, that's my 2¢; others' differ.

 

[Drail]

FLGRs were designed for one thing only - profit. I sold and installed boxes of them back in the 90s. EVERYBODY had to have one so (voice of Brad Pitt) we OBLIGED THEM! We could barely keep enough in stock. Over then next 10 years I tweaked and tuned and refined and shot my main race gun built on a SA Mil spec. Today that gun has a Wilson bull barrel fitted to it and a 2.5 LB. trigger and is frightfully accurate. I've had it in a machine rest many times it makes you realize that YOU are the weak link in the system. But that pistol still uses a G.I. guide rod. 10 years of heavy match use has cracked the frame on both sides - but man IT WAS WORTH IT!!!! Spend yer money on ammo and range time.........

 

[cfullgraf]

While I am not a bullseye capable shooter with a M1911, I've dabbled with full length guide rods over the years and could never see an accuracy difference between the GI style recoil spring system or the full length guide rod system.

The GI spring retaining system definitely is easier to disassemble.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

FLGRs have no place in a 1911.

 

[jmr40]

Some of them require special tools in order to field strip the gun. I wouldn't want one of those. As long as the gun can be field stripped without any special tools I say leave it. It isn't helping anything, but it isn't hurting anything either. I'd rather spend the money on ammo.

 

[Drail]

Yup. Buy ammo and range time. The FLGR has NOTHING to do with accuracy. That is determined by the quality and fitting of the barrel.

 

[Walkalong]

My most accurate 1911 in .45 ACP was built during the time frame when FLGRs were popular. It is super accurate, and I just leave it alone.

My S&W 9MM 1911 with an aftermarket barrel is pretty darn accurate with a regular setup, and I have no plans to alter it.

 

[Slamfire]

FLGRs were designed for one thing only - profit. I sold and installed boxes of them back in the 90s. EVERYBODY had to have one so (voice of Brad Pitt) we OBLIGED THEM! We could barely keep enough in stock. Over then next 10 years I tweaked and tuned and refined and shot my main race gun built on a SA Mil spec. Today that gun has a Wilson bull barrel fitted to it and a 2.5 LB. trigger and is frightfully accurate. I've had it in a machine rest many times it makes you realize that YOU are the weak link in the system. But that pistol still uses a G.I. guide rod. 10 years of heavy match use has cracked the frame on both sides - but man IT WAS WORTH IT!!!! Spend yer money on ammo and range time.........

So true, so true

I removed the full length guide rod in every 1911 that came with one installed. I found that if prevented me from extracting over length rounds. I used to set the OAL of my 45 ACP rounds similarly to the advice of Uncle Nick in this post: https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=583816

I don't do that anymore, I no longer set the OAL to the end of the barrel hood, I set the OAL to be less. The problem came about with my Kimber. My OAL had been set based on my Colt 1911 and those rounds were too long for the Kimber.



What happened was the over length round jammed in the throat of the chamber. I could not close the slide fully, and fire the round and it was beyond my hand strength to rack the slide open. Normally, I would place the recoil plug on the edge of a wooden table and push on the grip to eject the round. I could not do that as the Kimber came with a FLGR. I was able to extract the round by placing the sights against a table edge, something I did not like doing. Since then, I decided the FLGR was of no benefit at all.

I don't know any Bullseye Pistol shooters using FLGR's. I can't recall, unless they are running stock box pistols. There is absolutely no accuracy advantage to the things. What they are, is an excellent example of advertising induced behavior.

 

[mgmorden]

You won't notice any difference in accuracy, and the GI style rod is FAR less of a hassle during takedown.

I will always use GI rods on any "standard" style 1911. The only guns I use full length guide rods on are bull barreled guns with reverse plugs where you can't use the GI style.

 

[Drail]

Actually with a bull barrel you do need a reverse plug but it doesn't matter what type of guide rod you use. I have run reverse plugs with bull barrels and a G.I. guide rod for years. Try it yourself.

 

[tark]

Well, I know Les sure hates them. We would put one in a customer's gun if they requested it, but Les always told me that they were a worthless gimmick.

Don't see much use for em' myself.