Does size matter

[Quoheleth]

Ha! If a lead-in like that doesn't grab a fellow's attention...

Seriously...I've been looking at 1911's with my dad-in-law. I've been around guns for 25+ years but know little about 1911s. He's looking at a budget-level entry...perhaps a Charles Daly or Rock Island Tac. Taurus was #1 choice, but since Christmas their prices have almost hit $600 in the Austin area. CD's & RIs are still in the low to mid 450s.

So...what's the deal with full length or half-length guide rods? Is one better? Advantage of full vs half (or vice-versa)?

BTW: I know *what* the guide rod is; I just want to know what's the deal with size. DOES size matter???

Just had to ask...

 

[browningguy]

In spite of what your significant other says, size does matter.

But on to guide rods, a full lenght guide rod makes a 1911 harder to take apart. Other than that I've personally never seen any advantage to them. Standard guide rod is the way I would go.