Posted: 3/7/2014 8:13:39 PM EDT
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Its time to do some spring replacements & I've started thinking about some upgrades to my Springfield GI 1911 A1.
One that I've been kicking around for a while is going to a full length guide rod. So, I'm curious what everyone is using - what you'd suggest and what I should avoid. |
| Why replace them. Seems the craze but other than that's how JMB made it, there I has been no real explain action that makes much sense. One piece full lengths on 5" models are not hard to strip. If it comes with one and runs I leave it alone. Spend money on something else. If it comes GI I leave it alone if it runs. Either way no matter. But the two piece that SA uses will work loose and I would replace those. |
| With the full length if you have a malfunction you can't push on the lower portion of the muzzle end of the slide to force the gun open. I have had a couple instances during a run in an action match that striking the front of the slide on a fence post opened the gun to clear the jam where hands were not budging it. This alone is a good enough reason not to use a flgr |
The full length rods are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. When the pistol is fully assembled there is a very small portion of the spring that is unsupported by either the guide rod or spring plug. It is nearly impossible for the recoil spring to bind unless there is a failure of some other part. Also, GI guide rods make clearing stubborn malfunctions easier. If the pistol already has a full length I wouldn't bother changing it, but spending good money on one has never made sense to me. If you do swap for one I would recommend a one piece so you don't need a tool to field strip the pistol. |
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Quoted:
Why replace them. Seems the craze but other than that's how JMB made it, there I has been no real explain action that makes much sense. One piece full lengths on 5" models are not hard to strip. If it comes with one and runs I leave it alone. Spend money on something else. If it comes GI I leave it alone if it runs. Either way no matter. But the two piece that SA uses will work loose and I would replace those. I had one in one of my 1911s and it made the pistol difficult to dissassemble. |
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+1 on the not changing to a FLGR.
For the guns I shoot, it provides no benefit (I could maybe see if you had a Nighthawk or some other >$2k match-grade 1911 where it might be a good idea; on a $400 Rock GI or the ATI it's just not worth the trouble), and slightly adds to the complexity of field stripping. I think if you were going to look at upgrades for accuracy on a GI model pistol, sights would be the very first thing on the list. 
I like the GI sights, though. |
No studies have been shown that FLGR's improve accuracy over a GI setup. That being said, I've heard stories of where a particular gun will not run well with a GI and then run perfect with a FLGR and vice versa. One argument for a FLGR would be the added weight (esp tungsten) up front may tame recoil some. I feel that a solid grip would do more to help recoil but to each his own... Personally, I ditched the FLGR on my TRP because I prefer simpler takedown. And I like the look of a normal plug.... |
| When a gun requires a FLGR (bull barrel, etc.), I like the Kimber / BUL one piece rod. It's a good part, short enough for the bushing to rotate over it and already has the clearance bevel for the link cut into the guide rod head. I'm equally OK with a GI type short rod or a one-piece FLGR, but I can't abide a two piece rod and will get rid of them ASAP. |
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With the full length if you have a malfunction you can't push on the lower portion of the muzzle end of the slide to force the gun open. I have had a couple instances during a run in an action match that striking the front of the slide on a fence post opened the gun to clear the jam where hands were not budging it. This alone is a good enough reason not to use a flgr Sounds like you have greater concerns. Like ammo selection, better reloading or determining the cause or the malfunctions. |
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Sounds like you have greater concerns. Like ammo selection, better reloading or determining the cause or the malfunctions. Quoted:
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With the full length if you have a malfunction you can't push on the lower portion of the muzzle end of the slide to force the gun open. I have had a couple instances during a run in an action match that striking the front of the slide on a fence post opened the gun to clear the jam where hands were not budging it. This alone is a good enough reason not to use a flgr Sounds like you have greater concerns. Like ammo selection, better reloading or determining the cause or the malfunctions. I don't believe he was claiming otherwise. But his point remains valid. Should you experience a failure of the type described, the full-length guide rod may prevent one field-expedient means of breaking loose a jammed round in a hurry. For most of us, that will never be an issue. But in a military or self-defense application, who knows? (I've not encountered this very often with 45acp but during the early years of the M9 adoption, it wasn't unusual to get ammo lots containing rounds with slightly bulged cases. Those Berettas were tight--at least in those days--and they'd lock up like a mofo on an oversized round.) So, OP, take that potential negative, and add the minor increase in field-striping difficulty, think about how you might use the pistol (range needs are a lot more forgiving than carry needs), then consider the cost of replacing a part that is working fine as is, investigate whatever benefit you think an FLGR gives you, and then decide if it's something you want. For what it's worth, I have a few 1911s with FLGRs. I'm not one who insists on pulling them out as soon as I get a new pistol. But when I rebuild a pistol or build one from scratch, I don't bother with them. After 30 years of repairing and building 1911s, I simply haven't seen an actual need for them. But, hey--if you like the look and want to buy a part, it's your pistol! Make yourself happy! |
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Quoted: When a gun requires a FLGR (bull barrel, etc.), I like the Kimber / BUL one piece rod. It's a good part, short enough for the bushing to rotate over it and already has the clearance bevel for the link cut into the guide rod head. I'm equally OK with a GI type short rod or a one-piece FLGR, but I can't abide a two piece rod and will get rid of them ASAP. |
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Thanks for the replies so far guys. Just to add another layer to the question, does anyone have any experience with STI's recoil master? Yes, I have them in a couple STIs. If I shot them more, I would ditch it, but those see so little range time I haven't bothered. Among serious STI shooters, they are nearly universally yanked out and replaced with a regular guide rod and spring. |
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Yes, I have them in a couple STIs. If I shot them more, I would ditch it, but those see so little range time I haven't bothered. Among serious STI shooters, they are nearly universally yanked out and replaced with a regular guide rod and spring. Quoted:
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Thanks for the replies so far guys. Just to add another layer to the question, does anyone have any experience with STI's recoil master? Yes, I have them in a couple STIs. If I shot them more, I would ditch it, but those see so little range time I haven't bothered. Among serious STI shooters, they are nearly universally yanked out and replaced with a regular guide rod and spring. Only STI I've seen not function at all had one of these installed it was a 9mm. Replaced with STD 1911 parts, gun did not miss a beat. STI recoil masters make great X-Mas gifts for your compentition. |
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Only STI I've seen not function at all had one of these installed it was a 9mm. Replaced with STD 1911 parts, gun did not miss a beat. STI recoil masters make great X-Mas gifts for your compentition. Quoted:
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Thanks for the replies so far guys. Just to add another layer to the question, does anyone have any experience with STI's recoil master? Yes, I have them in a couple STIs. If I shot them more, I would ditch it, but those see so little range time I haven't bothered. Among serious STI shooters, they are nearly universally yanked out and replaced with a regular guide rod and spring. Only STI I've seen not function at all had one of these installed it was a 9mm. Replaced with STD 1911 parts, gun did not miss a beat. STI recoil masters make great X-Mas gifts for your compentition. 
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