Full-length guide rod for 1911? Yea or nay?

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

firearms_instructor

Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2004
Messages
378
Location
Texas
I got a full-length guide with my Colt Gold Cup when I bought it. Is it worth the extra hassle incurred during field stripping? The guy at the gunshop said it made the pistol lock up faster and tighter. True or BS?

I'ts so much easier to assemble and disassemble the GC without the guide rod in it, I've just been wondering if the guide rod is really "all that".
 
Do you mean the original standard recoil spring plug? Yes, I have it, it's what's in there now. I take it from your reply that FLGRs are worthless?
 
In a defensive / combat pistol - yes, worthless.
I'm not real fond of them for range, gaming or plinking either.

In this forum do a search ( below and right is "search this forum" feature )
Discussions get heated on some subjects, see usernames Tuner, Old Fuff for starters.

HTH
 
I had Wild West guns install my Beavertail years ago. Had them put a full-length guide rod on at that time also. I haven't looked back... REALLY nice setup. The gun feels smoother and the extra weight up front certainly seems to help. I didn't have a chance to observe the gun before and after objectively as they did a trigger job and beavertail at the same time. All I can say is that I like mine. Takedown is a snap. I'd get a one-piece if I had it to do over again, though.
 
Odd. I have one in my CCW 1911, my M1991A1 and they are deensive/combat pistols. They aid in accuracy and add a slight weight. I like them.
 
The flgr in my Kimber unscrewed a little and tied the gun up 100%.

Doubt if I'd have one in a carry gun where it could get jostled.

Don't mind it in the bedroom gun that just sits there though.

Funny thing is the potential unscrewing issue dosn't bother me as much as having to use a plastic tool to take it down does. I really like the ease of pushing the button on my Commander (w/out the flgr) better.
 
Count me in the "FLGRs are worthless" camp. Somehow, 1911A1 combat pistols made it for decades without that useless appendage, and I still think the reasons given for it are bunk.

Perhaps someone could expound on why, on a 1911 with a well fitted bushing, the FLGR would improve accuracy? The ones I have seen certainly don't aid in functioning. They do complicate the field strip. Any effect on "muzzle flip" on a five inch specimen has to be negligible at best unless the rod is made of depleted uranium.:rolleyes:

I should have saved the five I have taken out of various 1911s and sold them on eBay or something. I just never knew there was a market for extraneous pistol garbage.:evil:
 
I am not sure that they are worthless yet.
I know that I am not fond of the two piece one that is in my Springfield Loaded. You need an allen wrench to take it out. I think I would much rather have a one piece.
 
This is one of those subjects that has been beat to death. Along with do or not like forward cocking serrations.

There are basically two camps. One, they are useless and only take money out of your pocket. And two, they keep the spring from binding and add a little weight to the front of the gun.

Whatever. It's your pistol, do what you want with it.
 
It's just strange that most other guns I see have a full length guide rod.

I haven't seen problems with well made FLGR or short stubby ones that fit correctly in the 1911. Whichever you want, as long as it works.
 
Is it a 9mm or a .45ACP?

Does it have forward slide serrations?

Front strap checkering?

It is essential that I know the answers to these questions before I can assist you. :D
 
I like it for a target gun. Keeps the muzzle flip down a bit. If I carried a gov't 1911, I'd probably not use one to keep the weight down.
 
I never understood the reasoning behind the binding story. Where is there room for the spring to bind and why haven't they been binding all these years before the FLRG?
 
I'm not convinced a FLGR has any signifigant advantages. In my Delta Elite I replaced the wierd factory double springs and plastic guide with a Wolff spring and standard metal guide rod. Runs like a champ and didn't cost an arm and a leg either.
 
Perhaps someone could expound on why, on a 1911 with a well fitted bushing, the FLGR would improve accuracy?
Click to expand...
Binding springs are not just binding, they bear unevenly on the barrel, putting it in a slightly different spot each time you fire. This is small and insignificant on most guns and as you point out, a fitted bushing is probably a better way to go. Problem is, fittend bushings and tight barrels rob more from reliability than a full-length guide rod ever will.
 
fix:

"Is it a 9mm or a .45ACP?" - .45, of course. This pistol replaced a 9mm (Largo, Star Modelo Super).

"Does it have forward slide serrations?" - Nope.

"Front strap checkering?" - Nope.

"It is essential that I know the answers to these questions before I can assist you." - Thank you kindly, sir. Of course it's important to have all the hardware and software specs for proper troubleshooting.

It's a Mark IV Series '80 stainless steel Gold Cup with a Hogue rubber wraparound grip and a Wilson Combat extended slide release for my short thumb. And when the roll pin broke on the Elliason rear sight I replaced it with a section of 1/16" drill bit. Other than that, it's box-stock. I currently have the original standard recoil spring plug in it, I don't like having to use a special tool for disassembly.
 
I don't like having to use a special tool for disassembly.
Click to expand...

There's your answer.

...but...

bountyhunter posted a neat trick that works around this problem here . I have seen it done, and it works like a charm. I just don't care that much for the FLGR anyway.

Seriously, this really is like a debate over forward slide serrations in that it boils down to personal preference more than functional advantage/disadvantage.
 
Nah...
This will be debated again. :D

I choose to agree to disagree. fix posted a good example and good attitude about this - even better that I did in my response.

I have a lot of respect for a lot of folks. I have my druthers and can be hard headed and opinonated [ I know - surprised some folks].

Hey I am the guy that hates PG only shotguns for most everyone / every task.

I am the same guy that defends the use of PG only shotguns as used by Badger Arms, and a few others for specific tasks. Badger and I see this FLGR differently - that is okay, I still respect Badger.

Hey maybe someday I'll get rich and go visit Badger,and go fishing...we all learn , share and agree to disagree.

Humm...Badger...you will loan me a PG only shotgun and help watch my six against Bears won't you? Old buddy , old pal ...:D
 
Humm...Badger...you will loan me a PG only shotgun and help watch my six against Bears won't you? Old buddy , old pal ...
Click to expand...
:evil: It's always preferable to take a buddy when you go fishing. Then you can take a 9mm with you instead of the shotgun. In case of bears, shoot the buddy in the knee and the bear will eat him while you egress. :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
 
I was afraid of that...

Kind of like letting the new kids from the big city swim in the farm ponds, small reseviors, and such, jump in first ...We'd wait to see if one would either get snake bit, or wait until they scared all the snakes away. NO matter - it made it safer for us regulars... We give it about 30 min before joining in....:D

How about we bring a third fellow...perhaps an anti? You go for the plane, I'll watch your six...I'll shoot the anti and be there in a jiffy....

:D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Full length guide rod on my 1911 discovery.
Replies
19
Views
2K
Walkalong
Walkalong
Zendude
1911 Guide Rod wear
Replies
18
Views
614
StrykerByte.45
StrykerByte.45
B
  • Locked
Full length guide rod, good or bad?
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
Baneblade
B
W
  • Locked
1911 springfield full length guide rod/ MIM parts
Replies
7
Views
1K
Billy Shears
B
TheFrontRange
  • Locked
Full-length guide rods in 1911s
Replies
16
Views
1K
bountyhunter
B
Back
Top