Posted: 3/22/2015 1:45:30 PM EDT
| So Im wondering what the benefits of a full length guide rod are, or if the standard guide rod is superior? I have a DW Valor and it has the standard length. Im not having any issues as is, but I am wondering if full length is an improvement? |
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For a short while Special Ops guys ran full length guide rods in 1911's. Then that craze went away.
Typically if a full length guide rod makes you pistol more accurate (ie.; group gripper) your pistol has bigger problems than a group gripper is gonna fix. That would be poor lock-up and poor barrel fitting. "Guys in desert research" has shown that they can make pistols less reliable. |
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Full length guide rods are not intended to be a FIX for anything. Just an enhancement for some in their use. To say one is superior to the other depends on the use of the gun. Personally I run 2 piece full length guide rods in all my 1911's and they are no harder to take down than any GI rod set up. The front half does NOT shoot lose if tightened properly.. This comes up ALL the time and it's no different than ( Which trigger is better, Flat or Curved, short or long,?) It's solely a matter of preferance and what you are going to do with the gun. I simply refuse to run one without it. They are not for everyone like those that need to take their gun down often without even a bushing wrench because they have to fix something that went wrong. If your gun is as dependable as it should be it only adds one more small step to take down for cleaning which really is the only time it needs to be disassembled. Maybe adds 30 seconds to take down which is really nothing and I feel the benefits are well worth another 30 seconds to take down and clean & lube. This has been my experience only as I know others hate them and have differing opinoins which if fine. To each their own. They are cheap enough that if you havn't tried one you should and if it's not your thing it will be easy to sell.
The Group Gripper guide rod is in a different class than a standard Full Length Guide Rod. It is also NOT a fix for anything. HOWEVER tight your lock up is and tight your groups are it will cut them in half. If your gun shoots 1/2 inch groups at 25 yards it will bring it down to 1/4 inch. This does NOT meen there is anything wrong with your gun, it's just an enhancement. |
| Unless your guide rod has a tighter fitting than your slide to frame and barrel/bushing/slide, which it doesn't, I don't see how it would assist in making the gun more accurate, much less twice as accurate. What I can see is a full length guide rod extending the life of your recoil spring by keeping it from binding during compression. Particularly with hotter loads. But that's just one mans opinion. |
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If I agreed with you we would both be wrong. I have a 1911 that shoots better with a full length guide rod than without. Quoted:
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Not an improvement. If I agreed with you we would both be wrong. I have a 1911 that shoots better with a full length guide rod than without. If you think it does and it makes you feel better to use one, that is really all that matters for you. The other stuff I was going to say it pointless. |
with the rear lip of the dust cover removed so the spring plug can be removed... simply lock the slide to the rear, insert an "L" shaped pin in a predrilled hole... release the slide stop.... and the slide, barrel, and captured spring/plug/and rod comes off in one piece...
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Quoted:
Unless your guide rod has a tighter fitting than your slide to frame and barrel/bushing/slide, which it doesn't, I don't see how it would assist in making the gun more accurate, much less twice as accurate. What I can see is a full length guide rod extending the life of your recoil spring by keeping it from binding during compression. Particularly with hotter loads. But that's just one mans opinion. That only applies to the Group Gripper guide rod. The leaf spring forces the barrel into the locking lugs on the slide which will also exert downward forc on the front of the barrel and since it pushes up on the slide and down on the frame it makes everything lock up tighter. I personally don't use them but I have and it really will cut your group in half whatever it is. The standard FLGR simply don't do this but as you say I have found longer spring life simply because it stacks straight and smoother. |
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They are really great at making dis-assembly more difficult. The two piece has the added benefit of coming loose. The GI guide rod is not superior, it just does the job well. I have had FLGR and two piece and would not recommend either. I wasn't going to say it earlier, but since you did, I've got to toss in a "HAIL JMB" in agreement. |
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Took mine out as soon as i got home with it.
Pain in my butt,that i don't need.Put in a GI one that is hard chromed, i actually bought it two isles previous,at the same show,knowing i was getting a Loaded Springer that day. You guys that like 'em ...great! I am too old to complicate my 1911's....... 
ETA: Been shooting,and tinkering on 1911's since the 70's,so not new to the platform,just don't see needing tools to field strip my pistols. |
| hmmm.. performance enhancing.. can't really say(scientifically that is). i have run both in all of my 1911's.. and all are configured with 2-piece guide rods and shok buffs. for me.. the added weight in the front helps with recoil and (to me) it seems as though i can get back on target faster. as far as the horrible stories of tearing one down...and not having the patience to "complicate" a 1911(which i've never heard of) and 2-piece's coming apart... sounds like user error to me. i'm no "pro" but just b/c you have one and shoot it(sometimes) over your glock..doesnt make you an expert on the matter or right or wrong. not trying to be fugly or step on anyones toes.. but it is a matter of preference. i showed an old friend of mine who swore on his life that Glock was the only "real" gun in the world..and yes..he was a cop.. how to properly assembly and disassemble a 1911 with and with out a 2 piece guide rod's and the look on his face was priceless. b/c they are "so cheap" i say.. buy one and try it out yourself. after all..it's your money..your gun. i like chevrolet... so what |
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I wouldn't spend money on one, but I wouldn't spend money getting rid of one if that's what came on the gun either. I spent money getting rid of the two piece one in the SA 1911A1 Loaded I picked up last October for a GI one. The two piece one sits on my loading bench where visitors frequently ask "What's that"? A: "A thingamabob" |