Question: 2 piece FLGRs

[willbrink]

I have a simple question for those who use a 2 piece FLGR in their 1911. Before I ask however, please DO NOT respond with “FLGR’s are junk” or recommend a one piece. FLGR’s, and opinions there of – including mine – were covered fully here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=377521&highlight=FLGR

That horse was beat to death 10X over, so please don't waste bandwidth here on it.

The gun am using, can’t use a one piece, so that’s out too.

Here’s the question. For those of you who have knowledge and experience with 2P FLGR’s I note some never have issues with them (in particular their unscrewing themselves during shooting) and some don’t. I put a 2P FLGR and a commander 1911, and literally within 30nds, it was already coming loose. I was told by someone on the phone at EGW you didn’t want to or need to crank down too hard with the allen wrench, so I didn’t’. Just pushed it to snug and stopped. Person said that’s all that was needed, but in my experience, that aint the case...

What have you found to be the solutions? Different brands? Clearly, could just add a drop of lock tight, but that will have to be broken every time I clean the gun, which means a build up of lock tight.

Why would some 2p FLGR give people no problems and unscrew for others when both the design of the 2P FLGR are essentially identical as is the gun they go into!

I don’t get it…..Thoughts?

 

[JDGray]

SA loaded

I just screw mine on tight, has never come loose. Try a drop of blue loctite, cant hurt.

 

[willbrink]

My only issue with the lock tight was having to break the seal each time to clean the gun, which means more lock tight. I worried about a build up issue there.

 

[steelyblue]

I always cranked mine tight. It worked for years untill I installed a standard GI GR and plug.

 

[Spartacus451]

Why can't you loctite it permanently? Are you using the Springfield Armory style two piece rod? With most FL guide rods you can still rotate the bushing.

 

[heritageguy]

You didn't tighten it enough. I've never had a 2-piece FLGR loosen in 30 years of shooting.

 

[willbrink]

OK, will try it tighter. Due to type of bushing, have to unscrew it each time to clean the gun.

 

[farscott]

A trick I learned from John Harrison was to degrease the threads, both male and female, on the two-piece FLGR. Then finger tighten. When I have followed that trick, I have never had the front half come loose or unscrew.

 

[willbrink]

Was a brand new guide rod, no grease at all on it and I used a tool to go beyond hand tighten to snug, still came loose.

 

[farscott]

You have to degrease the threads for this to work. It needs to be absolutely clean and dry. There is usually oil from machining the parts or to protect it before it sells. That oil will allow the front section to loosen. Any oil on the threads can cause the front section to unscrew.

Something else you can do is to paint the male threads with clear nail polish just before assembly. It acts like Loctite but is easy to remove during cleaning.

 

[brickeyee]

Degrease the threads.
There is lubricant on them from manufacture at least.
Some break free or other de-greaser, then snug it up.

I use 2 piece FLGRs on switch 1911s so that the entire upper slides off to change calibers.

 

[steelyblue]

Be careful that you're not catching part of the spring when you tighten it up. I have had this happen before. Making sure you put the right end of the of the spring toward the barrel will help this. I ruined a spring with my two piece FLGR before. I know, IDIOT!!!!:banghead: All my 1911's bare the "mark".

 

[willbrink]

Update: took gun apart, degreased FLGR, gave it a good hard tork with allen wrench, went to range. 50 rnds had it unscrewing itself. I am lost as to why some can go a life time without any issues using 2 piece FLGRs, and some have this problem. I guess I will use a drop of lock tight, as it's clearly not going to stay put as is...