[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Full Length Guide Rod (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 3/14/2007 5:06:20 AM EDT
|
I have noticed that a lot of owners replace the full length guide rod with GI one. What is the reasoning behind it? Is GI rod more reliable? Thanks Paul |
No more reliable but they are much easier to take down the weapon with. FLGR normally require a separate tool to remove. They add a little weight up front but that's it. There are many posts on here and 1911forum about advantages of accuracy, reliability etc but they have never been proven. |
Not to mention there is an increased chance of dirt getting inside the gun, and it's one more thing that can get gummed up with sand & oil... The 1911 was designed so it can be fully disassembled without the use of any tools! So you can carry the added weight of a tool with you in the field? ![]() Not on my guns. They work just fine with the USGI guide & plug. |
Yes your search-fu is weak, Paulinski. On a related note, I replaced my FLGR because of two things: 1. It's a two-piece screw-in guide rod that came with my Springfield. It would consistently unscrew while shooting, and it made me uneasy. 2. Ease of takedown. I think I spent about $15-$20 to change it out with parts at the local gun shop. Small price for the configuration I wanted (and piece of mind that parts wouldn't fly off my gun at the range). |
+1 I have a FLGR on all of my 1911s except the SA Govt 9mm that I rarely shoot. Some are one-piece (Micro & Govt) & one is a two-piece (Nat. Trophy). Never had any problems with disassembly, ever. I also note that the Beretta 92, all Glocks, USPs, etc. come with one piece rods as well.
|
Since I don't plan on engaging a bad guy from a rest I'll sleep well at night knowing it's more accurate shooting unsupported. |
The only test I have ever seen that was credible (used the scientific method) concluded that the difference in groups was statistically significant, and in that test the GI rod won. I hate to break it to you, but Bill Wilson made millions of dollars selling you guide rods and shock-buffs that you don't need. |
On the contrary, my Colt came with one so it would cost me to replace it. Like I said, it's more accurate for me and makes the gun run smoother so I don't feel the need to change to something that offers no benefit. Oddly enough, every other handgun in the world seems to run fine with a FLGR. |
And the debate rages on!!!!! ![]() Here's an idea, and something I haven't seen yet: Hows about someone posts REAL evidence from a credible study that shows results from one side or another. Then we can have the mods sticky it at the top and quit these damn FLGR threads... |
Exactly, shoot whatever your gun came with and forget about it. |
|
I never had a problem with the FLGR that came in my kimber, but I do prefer the easier take down. Still though, I believe the FLGR cannot improve accuracy. According to Kuhnhausen mechanical accuracy relies on: 10% barrel 20% bushing 10% headspace 20% elimination of rear barrel side play 20% consistent vertical lock-up 15% frame slide play 5% beyond reach None of those things are affected by a FLGR. Of course I suppose Kuhnhausen might be full of shit eh? |
Except the 1911 is the only one that has a bushing. So the comparison is silly. |
Hope this is not a stupid question. I have a SW1911, and I have to use the tool. Am I missing something? Thanks! Retry: Hope this is not a stupid question. I have a SW1911, and I have to use the tool. Am I missing something? Thanks! I can not depress the plug far enough with my fingers because of the way it's shaped. Perhaps my press-fu is weak. Can you tell me how it's possible to disassemble they way you hint at? Sorry if I misunderstand, which is why I'm considering a GI. |
| If you have the proper 1 piece guide rod it is no harder to take down than normal. I have a 1 piece GR in my Springfield Mil-Spec and it dopes feel better to shoot. weather its the wieght or something else it did feel better after putting it on more than a 2 years ago. Now getting sand and dirt inside is only a problem if your in those type of enviroments like the desert or say rolling around in the dirt all day, otherwise its fine. Most people like the traditional look and swear the FLGR does nothing. For me it made the gun fell better when shooting, it even may extend the life of the recoil spring. My one piece did'nt cost to much and has never left the gun since except for cleaning. The Taurus 1911 I had for a little bit had a FLGR and it to was'nt any harder to take down. |
A whole lot of smart people thought the earth was flat at one time, too. |
|
|
You just keep telling yourself that.... |
Actually many early scholars and scientists believed he Earth was round; they just couldn't prove it. I believe that's a common misconception...kind of like how the Native Americans used the entire buffalo and never were wasteful. That's a total FARCE. |
I am thinking/hoping you were intending to quote and respond to post "X" and mistakenly quoted post "Y". Otherwise this response makes little sense. |
Whatever. :) |
so does this mean you were implying that press checking that way as a dangerous practice is a farce? If you were quoting something about FLGR, your quote makes sense. If you were quoting the safety of press checks then it doesn't, especially since there has been a call for proof re: FLGR and no such issue regarding checks.
|
|
Why not just do the 1-handed pull check? That way you're not sticking one of your hands in front of the gun, you're not sticking your finger inside the trigger guard, and you're still able to visually & physically check the weapon... Works fine for me... FLGRs on the other hand only create one more way for dirt to gum up your gun... |
If done properly it's safe, and I quote:
|
No, I was not implying that press checks are a dangerous practice. Sorry, I see the confusion now. I like the GI Length guide rod because it's very easy to do press checks, but if I got a high-dollar 1911 with a FLGR I wouldn't replace it. |
| OK, the purpose of the FLGR is to keep the spring from binding and get full use of the entire length of the spring. This makes the spring stay in the parallel to the barrel. And since the spring is not putting force on the slide at odd angles due to the spring stacking, the operation of the slide is smoother. It is possible you may get the same lockup shot after shot, but that has more to do with the barrel feet and the slide stop. |
|
Funny how I can't use my fingers to disassemble my SW, but my needle-dick works just fine. How do you disassemble a SW1911 (or any FLG) by locking the slide back? Does involve a dick or white teeth? Pistol whip some dude with a grill? |
Just in case you seriously want to know... Cock the hammer and engage the thumb safety to prevent the slide from moving. Press the guide rod plug in with your thumb and rotate the bushing with the opposite hand. As an aside, you can also remove the entire slide with either guide rod set up making the point even more moot. |
Sigh. Like I said, I CAN NOT depress the plug far enough on the SW1911 to rotate the bushing. While the slide does come off, the guide rod will not come out, and you still need the tool to remove the bushing. |
In that case, it might be worth the switch for you. |


you mean the "new" FPS which was part of the original design?