S&W 1911 guide rods

[coondogger]

I have the short guide rod in my S&W 1911.I understand that there is a longer guide rod available. Although it's not a huge problem, I think a full length guide rod would make reassembly a little easier. Anyone know what the deal is on this?

 

[Scimmia]

There are long debates on the merits of a full length guide rod, but one of the negatives is they usually make disassembly and reassembly harder, not easier.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The FLGR does make disassembly more difficult, adds nothing to function and impedes certain clearance drills

 

[Nushif]

Yeah ... It does make it harder ... It makes it almost like a modern autoloader. who would want that?

Frankly I am tired of regurgitating the way to disassemble a FLGR, but the people who claim it is harder have obviously never done it right.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

It can hurt clearance if your trying to rack the slide on a table or boot or something due to some sort of injury. I have yet to figure out what everyone is talking about with assembly and disassembly difficulty, i personally find it no tougher and I can do it without tools.

 

[TexasRifleman]

FLGR's are not really any more difficult to use once you learn the technique, the real danger in the things is that the 2 piece models tend to come unscrewed at the worst possible times.

If you really feel the need to use an FLGR, at least do yourself a favor and use a single piece.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I do do it the same way that I dis-assembly my more modern pistols. The short guide rod is just easier...but the FLGR still impedes one-handed clearance drills and adds nothing to function in 1911s that utilize a bushing to locate the muzzle

This, of course, is offset by the ease imparted by the takedown lever used in my Sig, H&K, S&W M&P and Beretta...rather than the idiot mark producing insertion of the slide stop pin of the 1911, P-35 and S&W Gen 1, 2 & 3